F1® 2021 - F1® Esports Challengers Event 4 Preview

Last time around, the F1^® Esports Series Challengers hit its dramatic halfway point, with the 16 talented drivers from each platform: Xbox, PlayStation, and PC taking to the supreme Spielberg and Silverstone circuits. As we start to reach the Series summit, event four, taking place this week, will see the drivers race on the classic circuits Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort.

The real-life Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort in Belgium and the Netherlands are circuits with an extensive racing pedigree. Spa first held a Grand Prix in 1925, and has hosted a race on the calendar every year since 1985, becoming a firm fan favourite. Circuit Zandvoort is a track also steeped in history, becoming an official part of the F1^® calendar in 1952, and holding grands prix until 1985. It made its official, hugely anticipated return to the calendar in 2021. The Challengers will take on their virtual counterparts in races seven and eight of the 12 this week.

Xbox

Tom Manley has dominated in the Xbox Challengers, having won an incredible five of the six races. His domination means that he’s sitting more than three race victories ahead of Jacobs in second, who has 66 points. The remaining top six are Sam McLean (58), Zak Oates (47), Cowan (42), and Roberts (41).

Only Zak Oates has beaten Tom Manley to a race victory, and as the Xbox Challengers head into Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort, the question must be: can anyone else take the wind out of Manley’s sails?

PlayStation

The field is much closer on PlayStation, with two-time Challengers race winner Matthew Alder taking over the top spot with 84 points, Noordijk in second, Suriano in third on 64 points, and double-podium scorer Holfland in fourth. After a superb first win in Spielberg, and a second place in Silverstone, Poland is now up to fifth, and Nader holds that crucial sixth spot with 46.

With event four and the superb circuits Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort coming up, Alder will want to capitalise on his slim lead, while the rest of the PS4/5 Challengers will need to take advantage of the close field where they can. Those extra thousandths can mean a great deal when deciding who grabs pole position.

PC

The PC Series Challengers has been dominated by Tomek Poradzisz, who’s won three of the six races, extending his lead at the top of the table, ahead of Stachulec, Kristof, Bean, and John Evans. Wilson Hughes takes the final Pro Exhibition place as things stand.

The race to get into those crucial top six places on PC is still extremely close, and with the Challengers more than halfway through, time is starting to run out. Those who want to confirm their slots will need to take the championship to Tomek in Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort.

Each driver qualified for the Challengers via month-long in-game events held in F1^® 2021 last year and are battling it out on their individual platforms over a 12-race mini-championship for just six places to the Pro Exhibition. The third event gets started tonight from 7 pm GMT with the Xbox side – make sure you’re watching live on Formula 1^®’s Twitch and our Facebook. Stay tuned on Thursday and Friday from 7 pm GMT as the PlayStation and PC Challengers take their turns on the Austrian and British circuits.     

F1 Esports Series is promoted and operated by Formula One Digital Media Limited. For Official Rules, see f1esports.com/rules.