As teams, press and fans arrived in Brazil for the final Formula Virtual race of the season, North Star Racing shocked many in the paddock by announcing that the 2023 Brazilian V-Prix was to be their last in Formula Virtual.
The Scotland-based team are said to have been struggling financially in more recent seasons, as Magna International drastically scaled back their involvement following the disappointment of the 2021 season, where the team fell from 4th in the standings the previous year, to a lowly 13th behind even then-newcomers Arrow. While fortunes seemed to have been improving in the 2023 season so far, with back-to-back podiums for Brock Kidd in Italy and Turkey, money problems were intensifying behind the scenes, according to team principal Nick Forrest, and it is understood that a winding-up petition is currently being prepared by Tay Finance Group, which would see the team placed into liquidation and their assets sold off in early 2024. "It's not the news that any of us wanted to hear," Forrest told gathered media outside a sombre North Star motorhome. "The 2024 regulation changes looked like a chance for us to get back to a more competitive position, and we've been working as hard as we could to find a solution for our financial situation, but things have gotten to the point where we just can't afford to design and develop a whole new car for next year. Even the 07B is only a modified version of our 2022 car, so in hindsight the signs have kinda been there for a while that we were in real trouble." Despite the team's imminent closure, Forrest was optimistic about the prospects of their drivers. "Brock and Hector [Draper] are some very talented guys, along with Carl [Sandholm], and I'm sure they'll be able to carve out a good racing future for themselves, I'm aware Brock's already been snapped up for next season, at least," "The guys I feel for the most, though, are all the men and women back at the factory in Perth, who've got families to support, mortgages to pay, and we've done our best to look after them throughout this, but sadly it's had to come to an end. They've been just as instrumental the successes that we've had, however, and in making this team what it has been. I have to give thanks to every single one of them who's worked there over the past eight years, and I wish all of them the best of luck wherever their careers take them next." North Star Racing are coming into their final weekend sitting 7th in the Constructor's standings on 50 points, just 2 points ahead of Ingram in 8th.
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During the weekend of the Brazilian V-Prix there were even more celebrations. Ocelot announced the retention of Brazilian driver and Formula Virtual rookie Felipe Cesar. Now this shouldn't come as a shock to many in the paddock, Cesar has impressed this season. Especially while fiercely battling teammate Puccio Giodano. The Brazilian has managed to secure 2 podium finishes in his first season in the sport. This weekend will mark his first ever home v-prix and he'll be hoping to do it in style.
''We are proud to continue to work with Felipe. He has done wonders this season and worked well with Puccio. The two have been working closely and confidently together and they hope to continue the partnership. Felipe has been consistent throughout and managed podiums which is no easy feat. We wanted to give the fans here a bit of a pre-race surprise.'' Miyamoto was quoted as saying. It it likely Ocelot will stick with their existing line up in Puccio Giodano, Felipe Cesar and reserve Ryota Yoshida. In a recent press release, it has been confirmed that Peugeot will continue to supply engines to Ocelot Japan Racing into 2024.
Good morning and welcome to the Autódromo Oscar y Juan Gálvez in Buenos Aires for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of the Argentinian V-Prix – round fifteen of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Bradley Downton from constructors and drivers title champions Dowtnon FV Team, Harry Westwood from Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Westwood, Dylan Lopez from Lopez FV Team, Sven Schubert from Porsche FV Team and Luca Gray of Eni Lamborghini Squadra Corse S.p.A..
Welcome to all five of you! Good morning and welcome to Mexico City, Mexico's capital for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of the Mexican V-Prix – round fourteen of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; William Ingram from Corsair Ingram V-Prix, Alex Easton from Royal Phoenix Motorsport, Stefano Gorgoglione of Scuderia Maserati, Adrian Arnello from Arnello Milner & Ronson Autosport and Roy Seifert from Bitburger Seifert Racing Team.
Welcome to all five of you! Good morning and welcome to Indianapolis, United States for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of the United States V-Prix – round thirteen of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Adam Blocker from FIRST Motorsport, Harry Westwood from Team Peugeot TotalEnergies Westwood, William Ingram from Corsair Ingram V-Prix, Rai Miyamoto of Ocelot Japan Racing and Dylan Lopez from Lopez FV Team.
Welcome to all five of you! Jean Mattson and SRT are ending their collaboration prematurely due to his early end to his career, at least according to the team on the short message service x. Sky Sports FV is lucky enough to speak directly to team manager Roy Seifert about what the reasons for this decision could be.
Good morning and welcome to Montreal, Canada for the Team Representatives’ Press Conderence ahead of the Canadian V-Prix – round twelve of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Nic Forrest of North Star Racing, Bradley Downton from Downton FV Team, Adam Blocker of FIRST Motorsport, Sven Schubert from Porsche FV Team, and finally Alex Tunnicliffe of Toyota Kowhai Racing. Welcome to everyone of you.
Good morning and welcome to Monza, Italy for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of this weekend’s Italian V-Prix – round ten of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Stefano Gorgoglione of Scuderia Maserati, Shane O’Connell from Eni Lamborghini Squadra Corse, Rai Miyamoto of Ocelot Japan Racing, Harry Westwood from TotalEnergies Peugeot Team Westwood, and then finally Dylan Lopez from Lopez FV Team. Welcome to the five of you.
Nathaniel Powers will return to Downton in 2024 before retiring from Formula Virtual at the end of the season, the 5-time Champion has announced.
Matteo Zetticci will leave Downton at the end of the season, he has announced on the eve of his home race, the Italian V-Prix.
As the Formula Virtual paddock this week realises the news that stalwart driver Jean Mattson will retire after the year is over, Hugues Antoinette looks to the future of French V-Prix drivers.
Good morning and welcome to Hockenheim, Germany for the Team Representatives’ Press Conference ahead of this weekend’s German V-Prix – round eight of the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship. Joining us today, from left to right, are; Roy Seifert of Bitburger Seifert Racing Team, Sven Schubert from Porsche FV Team, Adrian Arnello of Arnello Milner & Ronson Autosport, and then finally Rai Miyamoto from Ocelot Japan Racing. Welcome gentlemen.
The British V-Prix brought incredible excitement and action-packed battles to the Silverstone circuit. The field was very tight and a small mistake could account for the necessary seconds to not score any points in the end.
Nevertheless, the drivers kept their nerves to deliver some surprising results, but also to show nice fights without contact. To recap the race weekend, here are the 2023 British V-Prix winners and losers: Downton will run a special livery for this weekends British V-Prix, celebrating both their home race and the 10th anniversary of Formula Virtual - which will be celebrated on the day of the German V-Prix next week, 19th August 2023.
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