After the announcement earlier in the season that Sergio Alvarez will remain at Phoenix next season, Team Principal Alex Easton has today confirmed who will drive alongside the Argentine in 2019, as well as who will be Phoenix’s reserve driver. Easton confirmed the recent rumours around the paddock to be true; Thierry Xylander, recently crowned VWRS Champion, will join Phoenix on loan from DS Mathershaw. The Belgian has performed admirably at tier two level, finishing fourth in his rookie year, followed by second in 2017, then winning the Championship this year by some margin. This all ties in perfectly as Easton was just this morning announced as Head of Driver Development for DS Automobiles in Formula Virtual, taking on the wider role alongside his team principal duties. Alex was available for comment outside the teams’ motor home in the paddock; “I’m thrilled to finally be able to confirm Thierry will partner Sergio with us next season. He’s done fantastically in VWRS this season and really showed a level of maturity which will stand him in good stead for the step up to Formula Virtual. As we’re here in his home country for the hundredth V-Prix, and with him being on practice duty for DS Mathershaw on Friday, it just seemed like perfect timing to announce him now - I’m incredibly excited to start working with him. Regarding my new role as Head of Driver Development for DS Automobiles; I’m ecstatic! Developing the youth of today into the Formula Virtual drivers of tomorrow is something I’m incredibly passionate about. This is reflected by Thierry’s opportunity next season, and what we’ve done with Sergio this year.” Xylander was understandably ecstatic with the move: “I am so pleased to be driving in Formula Virtual for the first time in 2019, and to do so with DS Automobiles Team Phoenix is genuinely an honour. The team have performed incredibly in their first season, and the opportunity to help with their growth was something I simply could not pass up. After my success in VWRS this year, I knew the next logical step was to reach FV, and to do so within the DS family that I have grown so accustomed to is simply wonderful. The fact that not only Arthur [Lapierre], but Alex too, have shown faith in me as senior figures in DS Automobiles means the world.” Arthur Lapierre was also available outside the DS Performance hospitality suite for comment : “I am so pleased that Thierry is going to get the opportunity he richly deserves after a superb season in 2018, and we have very high hopes indeed. Additionally, I am very pleased that this marks the first coopération with myself and Alex in his new role as DS Performance Head of Driver Development – I firmly believe that Mr Easton will be central to the future success of DS Automobiles in Formula Virtual, both with his team and in the wider context.” As well as revealing Xylander, Phoenix also confirmed that 2018 reserve driver James Thompson will continue his reserve duties in 2019. The Brit is currently having a steady season in FV2, albeit considerably better than his debut in tier two in 2017 – where he drove for Phoenix, who were then an FV2 team. Easton told the media “James will be staying on as our reserve driver for 2019, and as a result he becomes a DS Performance Academy member. Retaining James as reserve driver was an absolute no brainer, his sim work this season has played a sizeable part in us being able to do what we’ve done so far this year. He’s had a decent year in FV2 as well, ten points finishes out of fifteen is a very credible achievement and he’s learning all the time.” Thompson spoke on staying with Phoenix for another year “I’m glad Alex has shown faith in me and decided to keep me for next season. For me I didn’t even need to think about it when he offered me a new deal; I’ve been with Phoenix for ages now and I know every single member of the team so well, it helps that it’s not a very big team, mind! But yeah, I’m so happy to be staying here and I’m absolutely honoured to be officially part of the DS Performance Academy. There are some absolutely top quality young drivers here and to be a part of that is insane.” Finally, Easton revealed the full DS Performance Academy lineup for 2019 – a programme that has seen the rise of Olen Inman and Allar Kangur as potential title winners in the future. Carlos Zapatero, Daniel Zientek, Ethan Matthews and Jules Barclay have all been selected alongside the aforementioned Thompson, and they will be given coaching from all four DS drivers in FV during dedicated test days, while Álvarez and Xylander will give additional support to the young drivers as they face additional media scrutiny and pressure. Comments are closed.
|
|