After Johnnie Walker Lucas V-Prix topped two of the three days of pre-season testing last month, we ask; can they take the next step this season? Since it was first announced, way back in mid-2018, that the famous Lucas team would be returning to Formula Virtual after three and a half seasons out of the sport, many have wondered just how successful they could be. The wealth of Team Founder and Owner Lucas Wilson is well known, but when Lucas re-joined the field in 2019 they made it very clear that they did not expect to simply throw cash at the project and see results, instead focussing on making sure all the right people were in the right roles to forge their path to success. 2019 was a tough reality check for the team, suffering 17 DNQs in their first season back since 2015, as they finished tenth in the Constructors’ standings; albeit entirely down to a fortunate – but also brilliant – result in the final race of the season where Carson Davenport famously dragged the car to a superb sixth placed finish. Above: Davenport on his way to sixth place in Brazil 2019. 2020 was a similar story, although there was clear improvement with only one DNQ across the entire season; a huge step up from 2019. Davenport’s tenth place in Spain, lifting Lucas out of Q1, played a huge part in the team being able to move forwards without the added pressure of competing in the dreaded Saturday morning session. Later in the season, Marcus Thunder scored fifteen points in three races which ensured a tenth placed finish for a second season in a row. These two tenth placed finishes in 2019 and 2020, in hindsight, proved a very decent return when taking into consideration the fact that the focus at Lucas had always been on the long term, rather than those initial years after returning. This became apparent the following season as Lucas – with new rookie signing Maximilian Thunstrom in particular – immediately looking like being regular contenders for solid points, scoring 27 points across the first six races before a slight mid-season lull. Then, things really took off. Lucas seemed to suddenly work out how to get the best out of the car and went on to score 134 points in the final seven races of the season, including a win and a further three podiums. The victory was their first in almost eight years, with their previous win coming in the 2013 Brazilian V-Prix. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season Lucas made their biggest statement of intent; the signing of five-time World Champion Nathaniel Powers from reigning Constructors champions Downton. Despite the wealth of Lucas Wilson and strong financial backing from Lucas’ partners, the signing of Powers led to many fans questioning just how many resources would be left over to build a competitive car for 2022, with some predicting a very tough season ahead. Above: Powers and Thunstrom at Lucas' 2022 driver announcement. However, come pre-season testing, the team topped two out of the three days and head into the first round clearly looking to be comfortably the third fastest team – according to Formula Virtual expert Ken Heasman. The question now then, can Lucas really take the next step this season? If we assume that the ‘next step’ from 2021 would be to consistently challenge for race wins, especially when Downton and Porsche falter, then it certainly looks very promising for them to do so. What could go against them? Well, despite Lucas Wilson’s vast wealth, the team have – as mentioned earlier – always stated their intent to not simply throw money at the project, so the development race could see Lucas drop back considerably from the top teams over the course of the season, especially if the likes of Downton and Porsche are locked closely together in a tight battle for the titles. Additionally, whilst Lucas are one of the original 2013 teams, they have much less experience of fighting at the front of Formula Virtual. They will have to learn quickly when it comes down to the pressures and ferocity of competing with FV’s top dogs. What will help them? The most obvious thing is their line-up. Where the team lacks frontrunning experience, Powers makes up for it. As well as Powers, Lucas’ young star Maxi Thunstrom will no doubt be right up there fighting for wins when the opportunity presents itself; the pair is one of the strongest pairings on the grid and will serve the team well in their battle. Finally, two of Formula Virtual’s established top teams – Franklin and FIRST – seem to be experiencing performance issues this season. This has opened the door beautifully for Lucas to step in and shadow the top two, with possibly little pressure from the teams behind, if the pace analysis from pre-season testing proves to be accurate. Ultimately, we’ll only truly know where everyone stands when the teams hit the track in Fuji, Japan this coming weekend, it’s sure to be an absolute cracker.
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