FIRST-FordDrivers: Felix Perex, Oleksandr Zozulya, Will Hoskins, Stefan Klien (Reserve) Standings: 4th Wins: 0 Poles: 0 Podiums: 2 Points: 196 Best Finish: 3rd x2 FIRST came into 2019 with high expectations after a low key 2018, with many expecting a potential push for a top three finish if DS Mathershaw struggled. Pre-season testing went respectfully well and it seemed that they had a comfortable buffer to the midfield but lagged slightly behind the big three. This became the trend for the season, as did consistent points finishes between fourth and seventh, which made up eighteen of their twenty-five finishes. The car easily stayed ahead of any midfield chaos, and at times were able to take advantage of any mess up front, but didn't have the raw pace to consistently challenge for podiums. Their drivers' varying performances didn't help - Perez was great in qualifying but struggled in the races, while Zozulya was the complete opposite. Nevertheless, Perez had some good results and took a deserved first podium in USA at the team's home race, capping off the season ahead of his more experienced teammate. Zozulya had his moments, including an emotional podium in Italy, but being replaced by Hoskins in Spain signalled the beginning of the end of his time at FIRST. By the end of the season the rapid Meteor had caught and passed them on pace but FIRST still racked up points and were comfortably fourth in the standings by the end of the season, with a personal best point haul. Perez stays on for 2020 and will hope to carry over his better performances to next season, but he will be joined by Hoskins full time, as he replaces Zozulya. With a driver with as big of a reputation as Hoskins, FIRST will feel quite confident for next season and hope to carry over their performance from last season themselves - something they're yet to do. If they can, with Franklin leaving, a top three finish isn't totally out of question. DS MathershawDrivers: Allar Kangur, Adrien Simon, Sebastien Vocquelin (Reserve) Standings: 3rd Wins: 3 Poles: 1 Podiums: 10 Points: 324 Best Finish: 1st x3 The DS Mathershaw team talked down their chances in 2019 early, even going as far as claiming they might be amongst the midfield runners. Nonetheless, Adrien Simon surprised very few by remaining with his team for a seventh consecutive season; with Allar Kangur partnering the veteran Frenchman for a third straight year. Despite the team’s concerns over their potential lack of pace compared to the frontrunners, 2019 started strongly for them; Simon retiring from the lead at the opening round in Melbourne then winning the following race, with the team taking five more podiums in the first six races. Following that, it was clear that Downton and Franklin had pulled well clear of the reigning Constructors’ champions – at least until the final few races when DS Mathershaw were consistently there to pick up the pieces when the top two faltered. Ultimately, a very comfortable third placed finish with 324 points and three wins was a very respectable end to the DS Automobiles/Mathershaw partnership. 2020 sees the team partner up with Porsche as the factory team for the German manufacturer, with Simon once again staying at the team where he has been since the dawn of FV. The big news is the arrival of reigning Formula Virtual World Champion Enrique Ruiz. The pairing is undoubtedly the most exciting partnership the sport has seen to date, and if the car is good enough to match their talent – expect fireworks. Team Principal Arthur Lapierre on DS Mathershaw’s 2019 and their winter break plans: “Overall, I think we have to finish the 2019 season with a lot of optimism. We knew the title fight would be a bridge too far, but we also had ambitions of being firmly towards the front as ever. The end of the season in particular was a highlight, proving that not only are we strong out of the box, but we can be in the fight right at the very end of the season even while developing for the future.” “During the winter break, I’m going to be very busy – not only are we looking forward to a new collaboration as the Porsche works team in FV, but there are a number of projects I am leading with Rob over the winter. We’re racing in the V-Trophee Andros ice racing series in France, and it’s a particular highlight for me as I am racing in the secondary class!” Adrien Simon: “Overall, I’m pleased with my achievements in 2019, both in FV and beyond. The car was not quite on 100% of the pace, but it was more than capable of being in the flight on multiple occasions, and I am glad I was the one who was able to take advantage of that. I’m not sure there were any particular areas that I was lacking, but over the winter I will be undertaking a lot of fitness training to ensure I am in peak condition for our first season with Porsche. Outside of driving, I have enjoyed my expanded role within the team, and also the opportunity to explore other racing series. For 2020, I’m up against one of the best drivers in the world in a car I know is going to be capable of some very special results, so I know what I need to do.” Allar Kangur: “2019 was a strange one for me – four podiums were a highlight, but compared to 2018, I have to be slightly disappointed. I think it’s clear that my qualifying performances need to be improved, so one lap pace will definitely be my focus over the winter. I’m also very pleased that I have been signed as a Porsche Young Professional for 2020, so even if I unfortunately won’t be racing with Porsche Team Mathershaw, I will still very much be part of the team, racing as a works driver for a customer team so I know I have plenty of chance to prove myself while also doing test and development work on the 921 RSR.” Franklin-HondaDrivers: Enrique Ruiz, Tumo Kinnumen, Anna Jelizaveta (Reserve) Standings: 2nd Wins: 6 Poles: 7 Podiums: 14 Points: 373 Best Finish: 1st x6 Tumo Kinnumen, fresh from his excellent stint at Ocelot in 2018, joined Enrique Ruiz at Franklin for 2019 to complete a line up widely regarded as the best since Franklin’s glory days. The other major change at the team was the departure of Chief Designer William Vancouver, who had been in his position since 2012, and he was replaced by thirty-year-old Felicia Quinn, of Ireland. The season began as well as could’ve been hoped by Jamie and the team, with Ruiz taking the win in Melbourne after Simon’s retirement handed them the win, however it was another seven races before the next victory came along, with rivals Downton dominating the early season. Then three wins from the next four races lifted Ruiz right back into contention and he looked mighty thereafter, going on to win two of the final three races which proved just enough for the Brazilian to claim his second Formula Virtual World Championship - with just one finish outside of the podium places all season. His teammate Kinnumen, who often found himself on the end of sharp words either from his own team or the media, was incredibly consistent if nothing else; with just two finishes outside the top four. The Finn finds himself down at Cheema for 2020, where he surely must beat the vastly experienced Milkovich if he is to get the relentless press back on his side. Ruiz, meanwhile, heads to Porsche Team Mathershaw for Porsche’s inaugural season in FV where he will start the season as reigning Champion for the first time in five years. Team Principal Jamie Franklin on Franklin’s 2019: “Where to begin? I had a fair few questions about how I felt about leaving the series, how I felt about it being my last time in this place, or some other place, or my last race etc. It doesn't really hit you until it's over. That was my last season, and it didn't quite go as planned. It was quite clear that late on, despite our best efforts, reliability let us down for the Constructor's, which is hugely frustrating. Not only for our hopes of the Championship, but also to end the season on a high, with one last win, at the track Enrique debuted with us, his home V-Prix, and winning the title. Yes, we won the driver's title, and I couldn't be more pleased for Enrique, but everything just sort of fizzled out, and things move so quickly in Formula Virtual that I feel...deflated. Consigned to the history books, hoping not to be forgotten. I couldn't be more proud of our team, and the success we achieved in 2019, getting back to the top and showing that we're the team we always were, and there are some moments in there that I'll remember forever. The likes of Felicia Quinn, who did a phenomenal job with her first full car design. Enrique who is just a force of nature, and even Tumo, he wasn't what we expected, or needed, but we still thank him for his efforts. I think the best way to sum everything up, is something T.S. Eliot once said - "This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper," Enrique Ruiz: “It's been a very emotional year, for sure. This team, this ambition has been my life for so long now that it's odd to see it pass. I couldn't be happier for everything that has happened this year, the wins, the poles, the podiums, the battles on track, the hard fought Championship. It all means so much, and I'm so grateful for being given the opportunity. But my journey does not end here. In 2020 I will have my fiercest rival in Adrien Simon, a world champion, within a team he's been at as long as I've been at Franklin. I think it's going to be a battle of epic proportions, and I look forward to the challenge and success to come.” Tumo Kinnumen: “There are elements of 2019 that I will cherish. I had some poles, I had some podiums. Unfortunately I was never able to score that elusive win with Franklin. I'm not going to pretend like I'm not disappointed, and I'm not blind to the comments about me on social media either. I need to reflect on this year, figure out what went wrong and build myself back up to help guide my new team to greater success.” DowntonDrivers: Nathaniel Powers, Klaas van Snelheid, Sam Hudson (Reserve) Standings: 1st Wins: 8 Poles: 9 Podiums: 21 Points: 452 Best Finish: 1st x8 Downton retained drivers Nathaniel Powers and Klaas van Snelheid for the third season in a row, Powers starting the season as the only multiple – and triple – World Champion. Dutchman van Snelheid hit the impressive fifty races in 2019, despite still being the second youngest driver on the grid.
The team started the season well, with six victories from seven races between China and USA, but then only won another two races as both drivers encountered trouble in one way or another. This, coupled with Franklin’s mighty in-season development and Ruiz’s relentlessness, ultimately meant disappointment for the Amesbury team; with Powers and van Snelheid ultimately not matching Franklin’s Ruiz in the battle for the title. However, a second Constructors’ crown with eight wins along the way will have meant the world to Bradley Downton and the team and they will go into 2020 with their heads held high, having beaten the great Franklin over a season. The pair have once again been retained for a fourth season together – Powers’ seventh full season at Downton – and they will hope to have the tools to hold onto their Constructors’ crown. With hot prospect Matteo Zetticci joining the team as reserve driver, it will be imperative for Klaas and Nathaniel to perform at their very best, and cut out any silly errors.
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