The legendary Monza circuit, often called the “Temple of Speed,” hosted the next race of the Mercedes-Benz Virtual GP 2024 championship. At this famous venue, drivers had to contend not only with a demanding pace but also with technical issues and high speeds, with Super Formula SF23 cars reaching over 300 km/h on the straights. Spectators witnessed breathtaking battles, including a dramatic fight for 1st place in the final lap of the race.
JJ Racing Team entered the race with its traditional lineup of Lukáš Uhlík and František Kaštovský. Unfortunately, it was not the best day for the team. Lukáš Uhlík had to deal with a damaged car, but he still managed to finish the race in 11th place. František Kaštovský was unlucky, as he lost control in the Ascari corner after overheating his rear tires, ending his race in a crash.
František Kaštovský reflected on the race: “In qualifying, I didn’t manage to set the time I was hoping for because I received a penalty on my final lap, which left me in 12th place. The first laps of the race were chaotic and threw me off, even though I avoided collisions. Unfortunately, I got overtaken, and due to an overheated rear tire, I lost control of the car in the Ascari corner. I’m disappointed I couldn’t finish the race again, but I hope the next races will be better.”
Lukáš Uhlík also had a tough day from the start: “My qualifying ended after a crash on the first lap, which relegated me to 17th on the grid. The race start was similarly catastrophic, and within a few meters, I was at the back of the field. In the first corner, an unexpected situation occurred when the car in front of me blocked the track, causing damage to my front wing. From that point, I treated the race more like a marathon, with my goal being to finish. Still, I managed to close the gap to the competitors and finished the race in 11th place. Considering the circumstances, I see it as a satisfying result.”
The next championship race will take place on October 15, 2024, at the Mugello circuit in Italy. Fans can once again follow the exciting battles on the Virtual GP YouTube channel or on O2 TV Sport.
Photo: iRacing
Race recording: