Albon takes virtual victory at Interlagos following titanic Leclerc battle

  • Published on 03 May 2020 20:18
  • comments 4
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Alexander Albon has won the fourth instalment of Formula 1's Virtual Grand Prix series following a monumental battle between himself and Charles Leclerc.

Albon shot to the lead from fourth on the grid after pole-sitter Stoffel Vandoorne half-spun off the line, impeding George Russell who started alongside him.

Leclerc followed Albon in second place and managed to overtake him for the lead of the race on lap 3.

However, it would be the first of many overtakes for the lead between the two, as they worked together during the opening stint to pull out a gap to the cars behind. 

At Turn 1 on every lap up to lap 13, the pair swapped positions at the head of the field, steadily edging out the gap to Russell in third place.

Leclerc pitted on lap 13 for hard tyres, while Albon stayed out on his worn soft compound. However, when he emerged from the pits four laps later on mediums, he was tucked up right behind Leclerc and the two resumed their battle for the lead.

However, the courtesy moves were finished as they contested for the win, with a series of overtakes coming in the second half of the race.

Leclerc's hopes of a third consecutive virtual victory were dashed when he obtained a three-second time penalty for exceeding track limits.

Although they continued to battle, Leclerc couldn't break free from Albon and had to settle for third place, as his penalty promoted Russell to second, after he managed to close down the gap amid the battle for the lead.

After making his mistake from pole, Vandoorne crossed the line in fourth place in front of his Mercedes teammate Esteban Gutierrez.

Christian Lundgaard and Enzo Fittipaldi were involved in a tussle for much of the race, however it was the Dane who triumphed over the Ferrari academy driver.

Louis Deletraz was eighth ahead of Nicholas Latifi, who was involved in a mid-race collision with Antonio Giovinazzi.

Lando Norris rounded out the top ten and suffered more issues when it comes to virtual racing, as he was unable to take part in qualifying.

THIS IS ALDOUS HUXLEY SPEAKING.
WELCOME TO THE NEW BRAVE, NEW AND VIRTUAL WORLD.

  • 1
  • May 5 2020 - 01:05

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Dert38

    Posts: 376

    unlucko that penalty

    • + 0
    • May 4 2020 - 01:13
  • That was really entertaining

    • + 0
    • May 4 2020 - 09:15
    • Dert38

      Posts: 376

      as it's obviously more interesting strategically official translation is a joke tho

      • + 0
      • May 4 2020 - 16:16
  • THIS IS ALDOUS HUXLEY SPEAKING.
    WELCOME TO THE NEW BRAVE, NEW AND VIRTUAL WORLD.

    • + 1
    • May 5 2020 - 01:05

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 1,036
  • Podiums 28
  • Grand Prix 122
  • Country MC
  • Date of b. Oct 16 1997 (26)
  • Place of b. Monte Carlo, MC
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar