Following the Brazilian V-Prix – the final race of the 2021 Formula Virtual World Championship – Royal Phoenix Motorsport have announced their full driver line up for the 2022 Formula Virtual season, the team’s fifth in Formula Virtual, their second season with the title sponsorship of Royal Blondes. Some weeks ago, Jaguar eVirtual driver Will Taylor was confirmed to be making his Formula Virtual debut with the Mancunian outfit next season, and it has now been confirmed that he will partner Porsche Young Professional Allar Kangur at Phoenix. Alex Easton [Royal Phoenix Motorsport Founder, Owner & Team Principal] – “We’re incredibly excited to announce our line up for 2022, with Allar Kangur and Will Taylor driving the #41 and #42 cars respectively, and JT in reserve. Dommo will retake his position within the team as Driver Mentor, stepping back from his reserve duties. The loan signing of Allar is, quite simply, the single biggest statement of intent we’ve ever made at Phoenix and, without a doubt, would not be possible without the backing of Royal Blondes and Wilson Oils; they’ve both been absolutely incremental in providing the financing for a driver of such calibre. He joins us with the joint sixth most wins in Formula Virtual having seen incredible success during his time at DS Mathershaw – as they were then – and bringing Lopez their first ever win, as well as five more podiums this season. The combination of him and Will is one we have incredibly high hopes for. I'd also like to thank everyone over at Porsche Mathershaw for agreeing to loan out one of their incredible drivers to us, for the second time now after we originally loaned Thierry from them. They have a wonderful setup there that most of us can only ever dream of.” Allar Kangur [Royal Phoenix Motorsport Driver Car #41] – “I’m so pleased to be here at Phoenix, I see this as a huge chance to come into a team and play a huge part as the more experienced driver out of myself and Will - I’ve always had team-mates with vastly more experience with Adrien and Elroy, so this is my big chance to prove that I can lead a team with maturity, confidence and above all speed. The dynamic is something very different to my usual as well, but I can see how well it works here, so I can see myself fitting in very quickly indeed. Ultimately I have to progress in my career, so the aim has to be pushing the team forward and proving I can be the person to do that.” Will Taylor [Royal Phoenix Motorsport Driver Car #42] – “To have been given this opportunity by Alex and the team at Phoenix is a fantastic opportunity for me. The dream has always been to make it to Formula Virtual but, to be absolutely honest, I did get to a point a few years ago when I truly believed it’d never happen. It's quite funny really that Phoenix have had the philosophy of promoting young drivers, but here they are giving a Formula Virtual debut to a 30-year-old! But I suppose it makes sense that things have fallen into place as they have, with me driving for Callum [Brandon] in eVirtual with Jaguar, considering his close links with Phoenix. Obviously, with the eV season starting recently, my entire focus is on performing at my maximum for Jaguar for now, then after March it’ll be all eyes on the 2022 FV season. I feel like I can really contribute to this team and repay them for giving me such a fantastic opportunity.” James Thompson [Royal Phoenix Motorsport Reserve Driver] – “I’ve said countless times before, Phoenix is my home and I love it here, I really wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a shame to lose Sergio and Thierry but I wish them the best of luck in their new teams and Sergio knows he’s always welcome to have a game of pool with me, Dommo, and Big Dave. But no, the team is going from strength to strength and I love the fact that I’m still a part of it.” Dominic Hanson [Royal Phoenix Motorsport Driver Mentor] – “2021 was mad. No way did I think I’d be making my Formula Virtual debut but here we are. I’ve heard a load of people giving me sh*t for being off the pace or whatever, but I’ve lived the dream this year. I never expected to race in single seaters again after 2017 but I’ve put my name up there with only 82 other people in the world who’ve driven in Formula Virtual. Now I’m kicking back for December before we come back in January with me in my new role as Driver Coach as well as helping Wardy out on the vans, so I’ll still be around, buzzing.”
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