Downton have become the first team to unveil their 2024 Formula Virtual challenger - the BD12 - in a small event and shakedown event at TT Circuit Assen. The BD12 gives us our first glimpse of what the new generation of Formula Virtual cars will look like. The team invited 500 fans to the event, which saw the car unveiled in the pitlane before defending Champion Klaas van Snelheid jumped behind the wheel to turn ten laps of the Assen circuit, to celebrate both his Championship win on home soil and the return of the Dutch V-Prix to the calendar in 2024. As he returned to the pits, team principal Bradley Downton provided a few comments. "She's a beauty, eh? Honestly, I think the new regulations we're working to have made the cars look absolutely amazing this year. The livery also fits this model fantastically, and you'll notice it is largely the same as last season." "Klaas commented that it felt nice to drive and was immediately comfortable, but has already made notes on where he thinks we could make improvements. Obviously the data we've managed to collect has been minimal though, due to the FVA requirement that we only run on wet tyres before the official pre-season test." The event also marked the return of Nathaniel Powers to the team. The five-time Champion was publicly back in orange for the first time since 2021, marking the start of his swansong season in the Championship. "It's great to be back," Powers commented when asked. "It really is like returning home, so many familiar faces and friends. I can't wait to get behind the wheel and give the car a good run, see what she can do - and hopefully sign off my career in style." When pushed for comments on the teams aims this year, Downton was reserved. "We have to be realistic. Obviously the aim is to be right up there and win more Championships, however this is a completely new formula and we'll undoubtably see some teams get it very right, and others very very wrong. We just hope we're in the first bracket, but until pre-season, actually - probably qualifying at Adelaide, we won't really know where we stand. If we can start the season strong, both cars in the top ten and scoring points - we can build on that."
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