‘Good Points’ as F1 Sim Racing Event Two Wraps

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team claimed more solid points as the second event of this year’s F1 Sim Racing World Championship came to a close at Stockholm.

Another two races were held on the third and final day, with the challenging tracks of Zandvoort and the Circuit of the Americas chosen. Jarno Opmeer and Jake Benham were behind-the-wheel for the team but couldn’t replicate the stunning form seen the day before. Nevertheless, three points scoring finishes have helped the team maintain a solid second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

What Our Drivers Said

“I struggled with my pace and consistency in qualifying at Zandvoort,” Jarno said. “I found it very difficult to make Q3.”

Jarno would finish P13, lining up P11 after post-session penalties had been applied. Jake meanwhile faced his own issues: “My pace was feeling very strong in Zandvoort but we had some braking issues which caused me to exit qualifying early on,” he commented.

Both refocused and got their heads down in the race, however. In wet conditions, they fought back to an important P7 and P8.

Jarno said: “Of course we need to keep working on our qualifying, but we managed to make up a number of positions in the race. We had to come from far behind, but it was positive to get both cars into the points.”

“I was able to come through the pack from a difficult starting position,” Jake added. “It was good but also a shame as I felt that my pace was the strongest on the grid. We just had too much to do when you’re starting so far back.”

There was a similar sense of frustration as the team’s attention turned the Circuit of the Americas. A wet/dry Q1 made tyre choice difficult and Jake was caught on the wrong end of it. He would line up P19. Jarno made it through to Q3 but could only manage P8.

“My pace felt good,” Jake commented. “A strategy decision saw me exit in Q1 again though.”

Jarno added: “Qualifying was looking good. and my pace was strong on both the intermediate and dry tyres. On my final lap, I turned in too early off the racing line and that caused some tyre marbling. That cost me a spot higher up the grid.”

The race presented few opportunities for either driver to progress unfortunately. Jarno finished where he started, whilst Jake moved up a few positions to P14 but still outside of the points.

“Ultimately, it was a dull race from my side,” Jarno said. “We didn’t make up any positions, but it was still useful to score a few points.”

Jake added: “The race was very difficult. We missed the opportunity to make the undercut work and we couldn’t show the pace we had.”

What’s Up Next?

The team now sits second in the Constructors’ standings, with Jarno third in the Driver standings.

The F1 Sim Racing World Championship concludes with the final five races being held on 7-9 May.

To keep up to date with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team, make sure you are following our social channels:

Twitter: @MercedesF1Esp

Instagram: mercedesf1esports

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