Mercedes AMG Petronas Esports Team event 3 review and quotes 20.11.2020: 2020 F1 Esports Series - Event 3 Consistent points finishes at the third F1 Esports Pro Series event for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team

 
2020 F1 Esports Series - Event 3

 
Consistent points finishes at the third F1 Esports Pro Series event for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team




•    This week, the F1 Esports Pro Series returned to the virtual version of Silverstone, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and Monza for the third event of 2020


•    Brendon Leigh and Bono Huis formed the driver line-up for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team


•    Both Brendon and Bono scored points across the event, securing valuable points for the team in the Constructors' championship


•    Brendon scored the Team's first podium of the season at Monza with a P3 finish


•    Brendon (54 points) is P7 in the Drivers' standings with Bono currently holding P13 in the standings (20 points)


•    The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team (74 points) holds fifth position in the Constructors' standings after the third event of 2020

Round 7 - Great Britain
 

Driver    Grid    Result          
Brendon Leigh     P14     P10            
Bono Huis     P15     P12            

 

Round 8 - Belgium
 

Driver    Grid    Result          
Brendon Leigh     P9     P4            
Bono Huis     P8     P7            


 
Round 9 - Italy
 

Driver    Grid    Result          
Brendon Leigh     P5     P3            
Bono Huis     P4     P7            

 
 


Brendon Leigh


Silverstone was slightly frustrating, as we started off on the back foot with a tricky qualifying. We managed to fight our way up, but we were ultimately too far off to really fight for good points. Luckily our hard work paid off at Spa. The pace was much better and we were strong in the qualifying session, too.


We were on an alternative strategy, which helped us as well. I managed to pass quite a few cars in my final stint to finish P4. For the final race of the event at Monza, we made more setup changes and saw early on it helped us with our pace. I did make a small error on the flying lap in qualifying so started P5.



In the last four laps, I was able to make some moves and ended up P3; our first podium of the season. That was an amazing feeling and it showed that we as a team are heading in the right direction. Now I'm really excited to see what happens in the final three races.
 



Bono Huis


Starting off at Silverstone, we did struggle a bit, not exactly knowing how to get the setup together, which meant we were lacking pace in general there. I did try to salvage something in the race, but getting through from the back is always hard. From the beginning, it was clear we had more pace in Spa and Monza.


We got both cars into Q3. Unfortunately, we didn't put the perfect lap together, but nonetheless we made a step forward in qualifying. From there we managed to gain some places in the race. It meant we were in a position to pick up a good collection of points. We worked well as a team, deploying the right strategy. Monza was probably our most competitive race so far this season and we were on the pace there.



Q3 was really good and the race was going well. Unfortunately, I got caught up in a fight, which led to an incident and ultimately damage. But I was very fortunate to bring it home in P7. Hopefully we can end the season on a high, keeping this performance up. We've found some improvements and areas to focus on, that will help us realise that.
 





James Vowles


All three esports events have been full of action from start to finish and entertaining to watch to say the least. Certainly, across Spa and Monza we were finally pulling everything together: working as a team was paying off with both our cars in the points both times.


The championship at the very top of the leaderboard looks out of reach for us, but third place in a tight battle with Ferrari and Renault is within our grasp and something that we want to hit as a target. We have three more rounds left to go in December and a few weeks to prepare for those in order to get the most out of the car and the drivers.



Brendon finishing on the podium and getting Driver of the Race was brilliant and an accolade to all of the hard work that has been put in. We're several years into esports, but we're continuously learning and across the last five weeks or so, we've made big strides in order to improve and fight at the top. I'm confident that we have more to come and look forward to the race in a few weeks' time.
 
 

 
 
Bradley Lord- photos Mercedes