Nathaniel Powers will leave Downton at the end of the season, the four-time World Champion has announced in a heart-felt social media post. Rumours have been rife amongst the paddock as to which driver will leave Downton since the team announced Matteo Zetticci will race for them next season in the build up to the Italian V-Prix. Many expected it to be Klaas van Snelheid who would be leaving to make way for the rookie, however off the back of Powers’ post, the team have confirmed the Dutchman will remain alongside Zetticci for 2022.
“To my family, friends and fans – I have some news,” Powers began his post with. “At the end of this season, I will be stepping away from racing with Downton. This may come as a shock to many of you, but it is something I have been thinking about since the end of last season and I have discussed with Bradley many times.” “We have had some absolutely fantastic times together, and achieved things I never even dared to dream were possible despite the promise I saw in this project back in 2013,” he continued, alluding to the 24 victories and three World Championships – whilst being on the verge of a fourth – he has secured with the British outfit since moving to the team at the end of the series’ inaugural season. “We knew when the deal was signed that it was going to take time to turn things around. But Bradley showed me the plan, and the team absolutely nailed it – and these last five years have been astounding.” While Powers helped Downton climb from tenth in the first year of Formula Virtual to third in 2014, it wasn’t until 2017 the team really hit their stride, and have been front runners ever since, taking at least one title every season. “However, it’s gotten to the point where I want a new challenge. It’s easy to drive around for the best team and pick up poles, points, podiums and wins but I want to really show people what I can do. I want to be a part – once again – of helping a team hit the front for the first time, become regular contenders for the top results and eventually win the Championships. That feeling, the looks on the faces of the whole team in the garage when that transition happens, it’s just not something you can replicate.” “This was an incredibly tough decision, but I’m not getting any younger, and any project such as this will likely take a few seasons at least. I then obviously want to enjoy the good times too, which is another couple of years, so it’s kind of getting to the point in my life where it was a now or never decision.” “What I want to make categorically clear however is that this was 100% my own decision. Bradley was incredibly keen for me to stay, but I explained how I felt and we had several lengthy discussions, and he was good enough to let me go and pursue this project. We part on incredibly good terms, so there’s nothing to say we won’t reunite one day…” “I want to extend my greatest thanks to Bradley, to Declan Johnson and the whole Downton FV Team for the support and trust in me they have shown over the years. I also want to thank Klaas, who is an absolutely formidable team mate. We’ve had a blast both on and off track for five years, and he’s pushed me to perform at incredible levels. He really is an exceptional talent deserving of a World Championship to his name, and I wish Matteo all the best – he’s going to need to bring his A-game and more.” “We really have become a family here at Downton, and it’s going to be unbelievably strange not walking into that motor home every weekend – but that family bond with absolutely remain. We’ve made incredible memories over the past eight years, and now have one more race to add another, so let’s go and smash it!” Powers followed up his post with a much briefer comment to confirm his future plans would be revealed after Brazil, but gave no further indication as to what they would be.
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