Thrilling duels and fast-paced overtaking manoeuvres at the Nürburgring
The second race in the Challenger and Racer League is over. Michal Smidl wins the race at the virtual Nürburgring. No points for the Spanish Javier Loro. And last but not least: Fabian Vettel in the Challenger League?
Michal Smidl on place 1
He was unstoppable! Michal Smidl has won the second Racer League round of the Racing Unleashed Championship season. For his victory on the virtual Nürburgring, the Czech takes home 25 points and prize money of 3,500 Swiss francs. Enrique Marañon and Dominik Dedic complete the podium.
Amazing: The second-placed Enrique Marañon simply let Smidl pass instead of fighting back. "I didn't defend myself much, he had the better pace. I concentrated on the fight with Dedic instead," analysed the Spaniard, whose strategy paid off. After a mistake by Dedic in the Veedol chicane, he was able to decide the duel in his favour. "He drove a strong race, defended strongly. Without the mistake I probably wouldn't have got him."
The Zurich native is annoyed by his mistake. "It is frustrating. In the end, a small mistake cost me second place. The race was very difficult, the level in the field is very high," Dedic sums up. "But it's still a strong podium finish. For the championship, these are important points." And 1,500 Swiss francs for the wallet.
German Angelo Michel also takes home 350 Swiss francs. He fought his way up from 16th to place 8. Only last year's champion Alejandro Sanchez managed an even better catch-up, moving up from 21st to place 6. His Spanish compatriot Javier Loro, who won the season opener at the Red Bull Ring, went away empty-handed after problems in the race.
Challenger League and forecast
In the Challenger League, which was already in action on Saturday, Marcos Valverde (Spain) took the win ahead of David Cid (Spain) and Sinan Demirbas (Germany). Cid leads the championship with 43 points ahead of Siro Zambra (28 points) and Valverde (25 points).
On April 23, the third competition for the Challengers will continue and on April 24, the Racers will start - this time on the virtual course of Monza. Those who want to be there can qualify for the race of the next Challenger League with a hotlap in one of the lounges (Kemptthal, Zurich, Cham, Madrid, Munich) and compete for over 1,000 Swiss francs.
One possible competitor could be Fabian Vettel. The brother of four-time Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has also teased participation in the Challenger League. So we can be curious if and when we will see Fabian Vettel on the track.
