Breaking News coming out of the Lopez FV Team today in Switzerland, as Elroy Wagner has announced he will retire at the conclusion of the 2021 season. Due to the global pandemic, the 2015 World Champion took part in an online media conference on Friday June 4. It was broadcast to the Lopez FV Team’s social media pages. Joining an emotional Elroy as he made his announcement was Team Principal Dylan Lopez, as well as some special guests. Elroy Wagner “Hallo everybody. It’s great to see everybody tuning in today. Every single one of the fans have been so important to me in my career. The most important people in the world to me is my life Louise and my son Julian. One day my little boy could hopefully race and become more successful than he could ever imagine. Over the past season I share lots of conversations with them, the team, and some other people who are very close to me. It is by far the hardest decision of my life, but I will retire from Formula Virtual after this season. There are too many people I need to thank for allowing me to fulfil my childhood dreams. I’m forever in debt to the opportunities that have come to me since I signed my first contract in 2013. The first people I want to thank is mum and dad. They don’t speak good English but I know they are watching. Vielen dank, dass ich meine träume vom tag meiner geburt an verfolgen durfte. Ich kann dir nie alles zurückzahlen, was du für mich getan hast. Inch weiß, dass ich als kleiner junge sehr albern war, ähnlich dein Engel Julian, abet ich hoffe, wir können in den nächsten jahren noch ein paar bier trinken und mehr zeit miteinander verbringen! To Andae (d’Hazorme), danke for providing me my first contract in the greatest sport in the world. We both had our highs and lows in those 2 years together, and those 2 years were very enjoyable. The first win at Red Bull Ring was a dream come true, and still today I look back and ponder what would’ve been if I were doing anything else in my life, because racing cars is a million times better than working in an office. Working with old friend Jean Mattson was lots of fun, but I don’t think we then speak about 2014 too much! To Jamie (Franklin), thank you so much for providing me with a chance after Team 23 left the sport to go crazy and achieve my childhood dream, and win the World Championship in 2015. I remember the day I won the title in China like it was yesterday. Enrique Ruiz pushed me all the way in the race and across the season. It goes without saying that was by far the best season of my career, by the length of the long straight in China. In 2016, the 3 wins in a row that we shared I think are 3 of my best drives in the sport. We both know the car was not as fast as seasons before, but we saved a little bit of that magic from 2015. I left Franklin knowing I had pushed myself further than I could have ever imagined. I was so happy 2 years ago that your team didn’t quit Formula Virtual, because the sport isn’t the same without your team fighting for wins and titles. To Dylan, just sit back and look at where this team is now compared to when I signed the first contract. We have had 4 hard, long seasons, but your team has worked so hard trying to understand the rules and providing me with a car capable of wins and poles in my final season. I couldn’t have asked for anything more because I know, Allar Kangur knows, Östberg and Harding know just how hard behind the scenes everybody has worked for this. This decision has played on my mind like I say earlier, so hopefully I get it out of the way and win you some V-Prix. It is the least that the team deserves. But let’s make sure we still enjoy the final 12 races we have together. Last and certainly not least, I want to thank the boss. She’s the love of my life, my soul partner, and everything you can think of under the sun. My wife, Louise Wagner who knows me better than everybody else in the world. I know you and Julian get emotional when I leave home to go to the races, but next year I’ll be able to spend all the time in the world with you. You’ve been my number 1 fan when I was finishing P1 or crashing on Lap 1. But nothing I can ever say can emphasise how you’re the greatest person I’ve met, and there’s no way I’d have been able to go out and be successful without you as my rock. Ich liebe de. There is so many more people who I want to thank personally and I will do that on another day, but now it is my duty to go out and do what I love for another 12 races. I know it’s going to be emotional roller coaster, especially Brazil, but we should not cry because it will be over after that race. We smile and we be happy because everything has happened, and I have the best memories in the world from the past 9 seasons. Hopefully I can finish my career with some even better ones. Thank you everyone.” Dylan Lopez ”Elroy, you are a champion. We both knew coming in that this would be one of, if not the hardest announcements you’d ever have to make. I’m sure you are far from the only person getting emotional, but just before you leave this conference, we’ve got a few special guests who have a few words to say.” Jamie Franklin Hey Elroy, it’s Jamie Franklin here. Hello to all the fans here today as well! Now, I’m sure there are many people who wouldn’t have imagined us standing together after 2016, but there has always been a special place for Elroy with us. Everything put aside, he’s still the only man to go toe to toe with Enrique Ruiz and come out on top, and that is no mean feat. In 2016, Elroy delivered even further as a world champion, taking 3 phenomenal and unlikely wins successively. Like you say, they’re also some of our favourites too. It’s no secret that we made a mistake from our end letting the partnership end so quickly, but you’ve clearly been a vital ingredient in helping Lopez to the forefront of the grid, and that is just as much of a testament to the man you are, as the achievements on track. I’m sure with your knowledge and experience, this won’t be the last we see of you! And by the way, we’ve left something with Louise and Julian at your current residence in Germany. I think we shall introduce them to this media conference so they can reveal what has arrived in the mail over the weekend.” Julian Wagner “Hallo Daddddyyyyyyy!!! We got big delivery on Tuesday! We love youuuuu!!” Louise Wagner “Julian, sshhhhh!! Hej Elroy, we’re missing you so much. We received something from Jamie right after the race which Julian thinks you might remember very well. We had to keep it a secret because... well, actually let’s show you what it is bubby. It’s just around the corner here in our garage.” Elroy Wagner “.. Oh My God!! No, it’s not is it... it is!!” Jamie Franklin
“So Elroy, upon hearing you’d be retiring at the end of the season, we decided it would be appropriate to gift you your title winning car from 2015, the JF-03. We’ve also organised for you to give the car a spin at your home V-Prix at Hockenheim later this year. As of today, she is all yours.” Louise Wagner “We are all so proud of you Elroy! Julian and I cannot wait for you to come home tonight, and your parents are going to be here too!” Elroy Wagner “Jamie, I will forever be in debt to you, danke danke. Ohhhhh.. Louise and Julian. You are the best. See you soon! Pwaah, this is incredible. I’m lost for words Dylan. Thank you so much everybody.” Dylan Lopez ”Elroy, thank you. Let’s have the time of our lives and make every minute count between now and the checkered flag at Interlagos. Thank you so much to all of the fans who have been a part of today’s announcement. The sport is nothing without you, and we know you’re doing it tough. We’ve missed you at the races and we appreciate all the support and motivation you bring. A massive thank you has to go out to Jamie Franklin and Elroy’s family for being a part of today, and making it all the more special. We’ll see you next at the British V-Prix next week. Good bye for now!
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