The first race of the second part of the Mercedes-Benz Virtual GP championship at the famous Silverstone circuit brought dramatic moments and significant challenges for all the drivers, who sat behind the wheel of the Super Formula SF23 for the first time. This race, held on Tuesday, August 13, 2024, was a major test for all the drivers, requiring them to quickly adapt to the new conditions and characteristics of the racing car.
The race began very hectically, with several collisions occurring in the first corners, which knocked several drivers out of the competition. Fortunately, the JJ Racing Team managed to avoid these incidents, and both of their drivers could continue the race without harm. František Kaštovský delivered a solid performance, finishing in the TOP 10 at 10th place. Lukáš Uhlík followed closely behind, bringing his car home in 12th place, confirming the team’s good form despite the challenges they faced.
How did the drivers themselves see the race?
Lukáš Uhlík commented on the race: „In the first part of qualifying, I managed to put in a relatively decent lap by my standards, after which I headed to the pits to change tires and refuel. Unfortunately, there was a mistake during refueling in the pits, which meant my early exit and starting from P15. Based on my experience from public races with the Super Formula, I suspected that something would happen, at least in the first laps, so the main goal was to start safely and survive the first corners unscathed. As I predicted, that’s exactly what happened, and the safety car came out right in the first lap. After the restart, I managed to keep pace with my teammate for a while, but towards the end of the race, I had to fight for 12th position, which I eventually secured. Silverstone is not my favorite track, so I gladly take the 12th place and hope that the upcoming races will be at least as successful.“
František Kaštovský added: „I wasn’t very confident in qualifying and drove cautiously, which probably cost me about half a second. The start of the race went according to plan, and I avoided all the accidents. Unfortunately, my tires cooled down behind the safety car, which cost me a position after the restart. I had to battle with an opponent, which caused me to lose time, but in the end, I managed to hold onto 10th place. I had great respect for the first race in the Super Formula, so I am happy with this result. I believe that other tracks will suit me better. Thanks to JJ Racing Team and our partners for their support.“
The next race of the championship will take place on August 27, 2024, at the Spielberg circuit, also known as the Red Bull Ring, in Austria. You will be able to watch the races live again on the Virtual GP organizer’s YouTube channel or on O2 TV Sport.
Photo: iRacing
Race recording: