The final race of the Mercedes-Benz Virtual GP 2024 took place at the famous Suzuka Circuit in Japan, delivering intense battles and unexpected twists. In this challenging season finale, JJ Racing Team showcased an impressive performance. Despite starting from the back of the grid, František Kaštovský fought his way to 8th place, while Lukáš Uhlík finished in 13th, securing valuable points for the team.
With this result, JJ Racing Team maintained their overall 8th place in the championship standings, reflecting their consistent effort and determination throughout the season. Additionally, František Kaštovský was awarded Driver of the Race at Suzuka, and Lukáš Uhlík received the prestigious Fair-Play Driver Award for the fewest collisions caused in the entire formula section of the championship.
František Kaštovský’s Race Reflections: “In the first part of qualifying, I struggled with traffic and couldn’t get the lap I wanted. In the second part, I had clean air, but due to mistakes, I wasn’t able to improve. Fortunately, my start in the race was better than last time, and I gained two positions. I managed to stay ahead of my rivals and build a gap. It was a tough fight, especially with Tomáš Hora, but I finished with a fantastic 8th place. Suzuka feels like redemption in the formula part of the season. I’d like to thank JJ Racing Team, my teammate Lukáš Uhlík, and all the organizers for an amazing season.”
Lukáš Uhlík’s Perspective on the Race: “Qualifying went smoothly, but I couldn’t put together the lap I wanted, so I started 14th. I kept a steady pace in the race and gradually moved up. Unfortunately, my race pace wasn’t enough for higher positions, but thanks to my opponents’ mistakes, I finished in 13th place. With the Push to Pass system, I maintained a safe gap to the driver behind, allowing me to finish calmly. Thank you to JJ Racing Team for the support, to František Kaštovský for the teamwork, and to the organizers for a great season.”
JJ Racing Team is proud of their drivers and their dedication throughout a season filled with challenges and highlights. The team extends their gratitude to all partners, the Virtual GP organizers, and fans for their support and eagerly looks forward to the next season, promising new racing experiences.
Race Recording: