Previously, Highwind FV Racing have announced that eV star Alexander McLaughlin and former Holmqvist driver Sebastian Bergkvist will be driving for the team in 2022. However, in a change of events that was initially leaked by the new and improved FV Spy 2.0, Thierry Xylander will instead partner Daniel Zientek next year at the team, to form a b-tec Phoenix line up for the Irish outfit. Xylander has had a quiet first 2 seasons in Formula Virtual, outclassed by rising star Sergio Alvarez, however this year the Belgian has had a watershed campaign, taking his first pole position and almost taking a podium back in Dubai. He was still looking at a year on the sidelines, however now he is looking at a year of Q1.
As Zientek - as previously reported - is seen as a long term prospect by Highwind, it's McLaughlin and Bergkvist who make way. It has not been without controversy, as the leak mentioned that there's been arguments over the driver change between team principal Ahmed Cheema and team owner John Doe (both teammates at the Virtual 24 Hour race at Daytona), not helped by the fact both are known to rate McLaughlin highly. However, with Xylander now in the picture, Doe has pushed for his inclusion and eventually Cheema has given way. Highwind's statement did mention they were actively seeking out opportunities for both McLaughlin and Bergkvist, as well as promising to not leave either of them in the wild for 2022. Given the late nature of this move though, it seems highly unlikely. This further confirms the already confirmed news confirming that Nikolai Milkovich, Karl Beckenbauer and future FVA representative and hero Diego Campos will have their last outings in Brazil next week - bringing to an end the Milkovich/Campos era for the team. An era that looks to end with a wimper rather than a bang, but nevertheless has been one with some fond memories and some memorable moments for the entire team.
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