March 29, 2024

FF1M

Fantasy Formula 1 Management

Redemption for Leimer whilst VDG no score gives Di Resta championship

Fabio Leimer held on for a confidence boosting victory as Paul Di Resta clinched the drivers championship with a solid sixth place in Long Beach.

The race was held in wet conditions, and Oliver Turvey led from pole position having finished in 8th place in yesterday’s feature race. Conor Daly made another  good start and challenged Turvey into the first corner but this time was unable to take the lead, falling back and missing his braking later in the lap which led to the American spinning which held up championship challenger Van der Garde, ruining a good start from the dutchman and ending his and his team’s title challenge as both Spaniel’s overtook him.

Whilst Turvey was able to hold on to his lead through the first lap, he soon found himself under pressure from eventual winner Fabio Leimer and then fell back through the field after the Swiss made his move, eventually finishing a disappointing ninth and raising further questions about his future with OLM after parent team Mitchell dropped the Brit from testing duties after pre-season testing.

It was Valtteri Bottas who claimed driver of the day as he charged through the field to an eventual second place, securing the teams championship for Spaniel, though only a nervous mistake on the final lap came close to stopping Leimer’s victory.

The teams will now regroup ahead of the opening race of the european season at Imola in two weeks time.