The Sportspedia
Jarno Opmeer (NED, Alfa Romeo) extended his Championship lead in the F1 Esports, which could crown him in tomorrow’s season finale. He scored a fourth and a win today
Round 10: Suzuka, Japan
Nicolas Longuet (FRA, Renault) took the lead over polesitter Frederik Rasumssen (DEN, Red Bull) in the first turn, followed by Daniele Haddad (ITA, Racing Point), Marcel Kiefer (DEU, Red Bull) and Opmeer.
Rasmussen was lapping a bit faster after the first few laps and stayed within one second. They both pitted on lap 7 for yellow tires and went out in the same order, as Marcel Kiefer took the temporary lead. Rasmussen tried to pressure Longuet but he was being hard on his tires.
By Lap 15 of 19 everyone else had pitted and the positions were the same as in lap 1. Rasumssen got as close as he had been at lap 18 and passed Longuet right the outside.
The in the last lap, Opmeer passed Kiefer for points that are very important in the championship, since he leads it over Rasmussen, and Kiefer.
The positions would remain: Longuet, Rasumssen, Haddad, Opmeer, Kiefer.
Round 11: Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, México City, México
México City’s long straight provide for lines of three on the first straight. Rasmussen lead over Opmeer but the other in the line of three, David Tonizza (ITA, Ferrari), lost it in the first corner and had to abandon the race right there. Leigh (ENG, Mercedes), Bereznay (HUN, Alfa Romeo) and Kiefer followed in the positions.
Rasmusesn left the pits at lap 11 and came back 11th and with fresh tires he was desperate to pass Kiefer as he was losing time. He then passed Bonito (ITA, Ferrari) and with others’ pitstops he was 6th, 19.2 seconds behind Championship rival Opmeer.
Opmeer pitted and went back on 8th. Rasmussen moved up to 5th. Opmeer passed Leigh and Kiefer on lap 14 of 25 for 6th and now only had Bono Huis (NED, Mercedes) between him and Rasumussen, now 4th.
On lap 15 more drivers pitted and Dani Moreno (ESP, McLaren) led over Rasmussen, Opmeer and Kiefer. Moreno pitted and on lap 16 Opmeer took the lead in the first turn!
With one lap to go, Bereznay passed Moreno for fourth in the former “eses” and on the last lap Brandon Leigh passed a struggling Rasumssen for second.
Opmeer won and extended his Championship lead.
