F2RWRS - 2016 Season: Japan Qualifying Up

[DanielPT]

Only in case two races clash, which is only the Czech race. Even then, I'm sure DanielPT won't mind me missing the Mexican F2RWRS race

I am fine with it. João Antonio Soares will make his brief return to a racing seat in that race.

[AustralianStig]

Only in case two races clash, which is only the Czech race. Even then, I'm sure DanielPT won't mind me missing the Mexican F2RWRS race

I am fine with it. João Antonio Soares will make his brief return to a racing seat in that race.

Thanks guys, ended up being a good outcome and much less messy than it potentially could have been - that's why I was just going to say he went missing for the rest of the season as it seemed the cleanest way to fix it

[DemocalypseNow]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

[RonDenisDeletraz]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

[Gerudo Dragon]

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

[OsellaFA1L]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

Sigged

[pasta_maldonado]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

Sounds exactly like Wizzie

[Ataxia]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

Sounds exactly like Wizzie

Wizzie McCarthy?

[TomWazzleshaw]

This is a conspiracy against Il Barone Rampante!!

Yeah, The F2RWRS Commission are all Illuminati lizardmen who are reading our thoughts so they can introduce a communist one world government. And vaccines cause autism.

Sounds exactly like Wizzie

Damnit, you foiled my plans for world domination

Anyway, we have a race report before we go too much further with that

2016 F2RWRS TNT Dutch Grand Prix
Race

Positives

Marie Simon - The Frenchwoman confirmed her considerable wet-weather talent at Zandvoort as she mowed her was through the field to be second after just seven laps. Once teammate Jordan Davies threw it off the road at the final corner, it was all smooth sailing for her as she cruised her way to her first victory on her return, and confirmed her status as one of the few wet-weather masters in the RWRS universe after her first F2 win back in 2014.

Alessandro Lucarelli - Heading into the 2016 IFRC season, Terry Hawkin was widely tipped to clean things up as far as that series was concerned. However, Alessandro Lucarelli stepped his game up massively in response, and once he got the call-up as a last-minute replacement for the sidelined Gregor Pascal, he immediately established himself as a name to watch as he put himself into early podium contention. As more and more names fell by the wayside, the Italian ended up the only realistic contender to Simon, but a strategic error on Gillet's part at the final stop relegated him to a still fine 2nd place and with fastest lap of the race.

Marko Jantscher - After his boneheaded stunt in qualifying, it looked like that the pain for Falik Arrows would continue after he going involved in an early collision with championship leader Diego Alvarez Torrente sent the Austrian to the back of the field. From thereon in however, Jantscher managed to keep his head on while many others lost theirs, and managed to make his way back to an impressive fourth place by the end of the race. While Falik Arrows gained nothing from it in the teams' championship, the result was enough to put Jantscher 2nd in the championship behind fellow Astro Racing Program member Torrente.

Negatives

RonDen Racing Engineering - While their personal pet project Wouter Lamberigts flunked badly under the white-hot pressure of pre-qualifying, his team didn't do much better either over the course of the weekend, as neither driver achieved much in conditions they should have excelled at. Through attrition, they found themselves in minor points positions later in the race before Dan Greenlaw's transmission seized just before his second stop. Bastiaan van Nieuwenhuijzen didn't make much progress from there, as he eventually found himself a lap down in 7th place.

Alberto Cara/Jean-Vincent Albertini - Alberto Cara is well-known to have off weekends from time to time, but his performance at Zandvoort was up there with the very worst. After flying off the road later on, he proceeded to spin more times than an overplayed record on the ultra-slippery surface and was two laps down on the leader in the closing stages before a transmission failure put a merciful early end to his race. Albertini wasn't much better as he similarly struggled with an ill-handling car, noting that it was nowhere near as glued to the track as the Autodynamics car was during warmup. Unlike Cara however, Albertini didn't have any mechanical failures to save him and ended up being the only one of the nine finishers to not score a point.

Nikov Time - It's already well known that Nikov Time was questionable in race trim at best. What the field learned today was that he's also a total liability in wet weather, as he started overdriving and flying off the road in the early stages. After the out of control Kazakh rookie collected a stranded Gianluigi Pazzini early on, he flew off the road a few laps later after a front wing change, and earned himself a penalty of nearly taking out several of the leaders on the rejoin. When he finally retired with an accident around the back of the circuit later in the event, the field breathed a collective sigh of relief that he won't be making the trip to the incredibly tight Monaco circuit.

Yuka Katayama - After a season-best qualifying for the Sunshine Racing protegee, the Japanese driver had an awful showing, as she spent most of her time being bullied around by the midfield in the treacherous conditions. After an early trip into a local gravel trap, the middle Katayama sister made almost no impression on track, before a BMW engine failure put an end to her miserable showing.

Jordan Davies/Johannes Rueckert - In a way, both of these men had almost identical races in the difficult conditions at Zandvoort. Both of them made demon starts to vault them into early podium contention, both of them were easily two of the fastest cars on track on the way to what should have been big results, and both of them threw those results away with big accidents at the final corner. By all rights, this race was Davies to lose in the opening laps, and lose it he did with a big oversteer moment straight into the wall at the final corner as he struggles to keep his open-wheeler career going. Meanwhile, Rueckert was well on his way to what should have been 3rd place after the final stop, until he had one of the biggest shunts all season as he nearly rolled the Castrol Jones car as his largely fruitless season continues.

Diego Alvarez Torrente - The troubles the championship leader found himself in at Zandvoort were both surprising and highly embarrassing for the Spaniard in what had otherwise been a fairly impressive campaign thus far. After the early collision with Jantscher, Torrente failed to make anywhere near as much progress through the field, as overdriving led him to further off-track excursions. He eventually had the almost inevitable accident around the back of the circuit, but not before he made his way back on track with his battered car, took out the luckless Laurent Seron and earned himself both a huge penalty from the stewards and a Reject of the Race award for his poor showing.

1. M. Simon (Aston Martin): 1h 21m 14.628
2. A. Lucarelli (Gillet-BMW): +8.727
3. M. Macklin (Fusion-Holden): +56.101
4. M. Jantscher (Falik Arrows-BMW): +1:12.270
5. J. Hamilton (MRT-BMW): +1:15.341
6. M. Valsattis (Simpson-BMW): +1:22.394
7. B. van Nieuwenhuijzen (RonDen-Zastava): +1 LAP
8. G. Massinion (Jones-Ford): +1 LAP
9. J-V. Albertini (Gillet-BMW): +1 LAP
DNF. A. Cara (Simpson-BMW): Transmission
DNF. J. Rueckert (Jones-Ford): Accident
DNF. D. Greenlaw (RonDen-Zastava): Transmission
DNF. M. van der Maeyede (Fusion-Holden): Engine
DNF. C. Simpson (Young Lions-Holden): Engine
DNF. N. Time (Beirao-BMW): Accident
DNF. D. Alvarez Torrente (Plus One-Maserati): Accident
DNF. L. Seron (Beirao-BMW): Collision
DNF. Y. Katayama (Falik Arrows-BMW): Engine
DNF. J. Davies (Aston Martin): Accident
DNF. M. Rietacher (Plus One-Maserati): Accident
DNF. G. Pazzini (MRT-BMW): Collision
DNF. D. Melville (Young Lions-Holden): Accident

Pole: N. Time (Beirao-BMW): 1:36.894
Fastest Lap: A. Lucarelli (Gillet-BMW): 1:38.764
Reject of the Race: Diego Alvarez Torrente - Somehow left with the championship lead after embarrassing showing
Infinite Improbability Drive of the Race: Alessandro Lucarelli - Arrive, podium, leave
Leaders: N. Time: 1-4 (Total: 4)
J. Davies: 5-7 (Total: 3)
M. Simon: 8-13, 19-30, 33-47 (Total: 33)
A. Lucarelli: 14-18, 31-32 (Total: 7)

Standings can be found here

Stewards Report
Car #17 (Marko Jantscher) has recieved a 40 point penalty for carelessly and severely blocking Car #15 (Dean Melville) in qualifying. As a result of the circumstances and nature of the offense, Falik Arrows have lost all team points for the event.
Car #15 (Dean Melville) has received a 30 point penalty for illegally blocking other competitors (Dangerous re-entry)
Car #21 (Nikov Time) has received a 30 point penalty for illegally blocking other competitors (Dangerous re-entry)
Car #31 (Diego Alvarez-Torrente) has received a 65 point penalty for a deliberate collision with Car #20 (Laurent Seron)

As a result of incidents in Germany and the Netherlands, Nikov Time has been given a one race ban, to be served at the Monaco Grand Prix. Additionally, Gregor Pascal and Daniel Melville have both completed their bans, and are free to return to active competition at Monaco. Finally, Scuderia Alitalia has escaped pre-Qualifying for the next three races at the expense of Fusion Motorsport.

[DemocalypseNow]

Agyemang-Badu comandeered by Alitalia, Aeroracing in crisis

A crisis has emerged at Aeroracing Engineering, after the faltering Spanish F2RWRS team had their lead driver taken away from them by backer Alitalia.

Marcel Agyemang-Badu, reigning F2RWRS champion, had suffered a string of DNPQs this year thanks to the two-driver rule, has had his early championship challenge destroyed by not being able to race on several occasions, and being taken out in incidents when he has made the races - most notably by his own IBR stablemate Dan Greenlaw on two seperate occasions.

"This was a difficult decision to make, but we believe a necessary one," said Alitalia team principal Andera Sassetti. "We have escaped pre-qualifying again, thanks to the efforts of Greenlaw and Case. Now we are here, we want to give the drivers in the best position a chance of success this season. We believe this change is the best way in whcih to achieve this success."

The switch is rumoured to have significantly damaged relations between IBR and Aeroracing, however it has also been suggested that the change may be nothing more than a direct switch, with Andrej Kremnicky possibly going in the other direction to fill the void left by Agyemang-Badu.

[DanielPT]

Damn it! Still not finished a race... João Antonio Soares to replace Nikov Time at Monaco.

[Aerospeed]

Johnston hails return to form, hopes Simon can relaunch F1RWRS career
After Marie Simon's brilliant victory at Zandvoort, Brett Johnston has nothing but praise for the new Aston Martin driver. "We're very happy for the victory today," said Johnston. "This victory puts us back in the championship hunt. We need to get more victories in order to sustain our championship hopes." He also added that the unreliability of the competitors has led to a very close championship. "We came in 7th in the championship, we're coming out 2nd. This championship is very close and we need all the points that we can get. A win is a spectacular bonus." The victory comes off from former Aston driver Alessandro Marchesi being suspended for the rest of the season and later sacked. Johnston said that he hopes Marchesi will "find another suitable career" after his controversial exit from the series. Meanwhile, Jordan Davies, last year's F3RWRS champion, capped off another disappointing race with a retirement while in a podium position. "His performances this season so far have not been up to standard. Nonetheless, we shall fully support him and we hope he can contribute to the championship standings."

Honestly though, 8 points are between first and seventh in the WCC. That's complete craziness.

[RealRacingRoots]

Breaking News: McKane to Aeroracing after Quitting Kamaha
Just minutes after F1RWRS Pre-Qualifying at Monaco ended and a hour before F2RWRS Pre-Qualifying was set to begin. Kamaha driver Nathan McKane terminated his contract with the Japanese team and signed a deal to sign with Aeroracing Engineering to race in F2RWRS.

[Nessafox]

Now Monaco next, which looks like Lamberigts last chance to prove F1RWRS teams he's worth something. All aboard our Trulli-Train!

[TomWazzleshaw]

Nate, don't you have anything better to do than trolling people 10 years your junior? You were nearly a world champ for god's sake. Go try and scab a drive from Gillet in the F1RWRS next year rather than waste your time trying to get a drive here.

*Spots Akria Yamamura walking around in Aeroracing team gear* Guess what kid, today might be your lucky day...

OoC: McKane won't be allowed to compete in the F2. I mean, someone who nearly won an F1 world title would be a gamebreaker in the series. Akria Yamamura will drive the car for Monaco, but is available for every race after it bar Mexico. I'll let Aeroracing, RRR and company sort it out after Monaco.

[pasta_maldonado]

Nate, don't you have anything better to do than trolling people 10 years your junior? You were nearly a world champ for god's sake. Go try and scab a drive from Gillet in the F1RWRS next year rather than waste your time trying to get a drive here.

*Spots Akria Yamamura walking around in Aeroracing team gear* Guess what kid, today might be your lucky day...

OoC: McKane won't be allowed to compete in the F2. I mean, someone who nearly won an F1 world title would be a gamebreaker in the series. Akria Yamamura will drive the car for Monaco, but is available for every race after it bar Mexico. I'll let Aeroracing, RRR and company sort it out after Monaco.

Then again, this is F2RWRS, McKane probably wouldn't finish a race!

[TomWazzleshaw]

2016 F2RWRS Rolex Monaco Grand Prix

Pre-Qualifying

After Nathan McKane got told to go away by Tom Douglas just before pre-qualifying, Aeroracing supersub Akria Yamamura found himself called up for a second event at the squad, and immediately felt at home with the fastest time in pre-qualifying. However, it wasn't enough to allow the team to make it through after an incredible final lap from Gilles Massinion put the Jones squad through, while Andrej Kremnicky in the second car lost his final hot lap to the carelessness of Mitchell Macklin, who earned a penalty for the incident for his troubles.

1. A. Yamamura (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): 1:20.194
2. G. Massinion (Jones-Ford): +0.065
3. M. Macklin (Fusion-Holden): +0.073
4. S. Prost (Red Bull WRT-Holden): +0.091
5. L. Seron (Beirao-BMW): +0.138
6. M. van der Maeyede (Fusion-Holden): +0.149
7. J. McAllister (Dofasco-Chrysler): +0.158
8. E. Swerts (Dofasco-Chrysler): +0.197
9. J. Rueckert (Jones-Ford): +0.220
10. C. Johnson (Red Bull WRT-Holden): +0.333
11. A. Kremnicky (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): +0.337
12. J. Antonio Soares (Beirao-BMW): +0.483

Qualifying

Qualifying in Monaco has always been intense as it sets the tone for the weekend around the principality, and this year was no exception, as Alberto Cara made his intentions known to comfortably break into the 1:19s on his first run, before pushing the mark further away from the competition on his second run, as Mitchell Macklin and Wouter Lamberigts looked like being his closest competitors. However, the last five minutes of qualifying produced surprise after surprise, as Gregor Pascal was the first to vault himself up into 4th, before Marcel Ageymang-Badu pipped Cara for provisional pole by just 7 thousandths of a second. Even that wasn't enough however, as Lamberigts came back with a new Monaco F2 lap record to take yet another career pole in his first event back at RonDen. After spending most of qualifying in the low teens, Dan Greenlaw put in a last-gasp effort to go 4th behind Badu and Cara, but ahead of the likes of Macklin, Pascal and Gianluigi Pazzini. Finally, after a career-best qualifying effort at Zandvoort, Yuka Katayama came to Monaco with an evil-handling car, and it showed as she slumped to 22nd and last on the grid.

1. W. Lamberigts (RonDen-Zastava): 1:19.712
2. M. Ageymang-Badu (Alitalia-Abarth): +0.032
3. A. Cara (Simpson-BMW): +0.039
4. D. Greenlaw (Alitalia-Abarth): +0.174
5. M. Macklin (Fusion-Holden): +0.193
6. G. Pascal (Gillet-BMW): +0.259
7. G. Pazzini (MRT-BMW): +0.329
8. D. Alvarez Torrente (Plus One-Maserati): +0.335
9. B. van Nieuwenhuijzen (RonDen-Zastava): +0.411
10. M. Rietacher (Plus One-Maserati): +0.437
11. J. Davies (Aston Martin): +0.502
12. J. Rueckert (Jones-Ford): +0.502
13. C. Simpson (Young Lions-Holden): +0.507
14. J-V. Albertini (Gillet-BMW): +0.528
15. M. Jantscher (Falik Arrows-BMW): +0.585
16. D. Melville (Young Lions-Holden): +0.700
17. M. Valsattis (Simpson-BMW): +0.757
18. M. van der Maeyede (Fusion-Holden): +0.799
19. G. Massinion (Jones-Ford): +0.847
20. M. Simon (Aston Martin): +0.933
21. J. Hamilton (MRT-BMW): +1.023
22. Y. Katayama (Falik Arrows-BMW): +1.085

[DemocalypseNow]

Ok, for sure, it was risky to change the lineup once again, but finally, we have a good result in qualifying. 2nd and 4th is a great place to start - Lamberigts should not pose much of a threat if our guys overtake him in the first couple of laps. But ok, it's still a dangerous situation - both our cars haven't really been on the track next to each other at any point this season, but now they are in a position to fight each other. We have told them, there is no team order, but you must be careful around each other. The two guys are 16 and 18 points from the championship lead, and Torrente is down in 8th, with still 7 races left, they can make a statement here, and I think both of them are hoping to prove a point. But still, we must be careful of Cara, he tends to blow hot and cold, and today he seems to be quite close to boiling point.

Kremnicky-Alitalia contract officially terminated

Andrej Kremnicky's contract with Scuderia Alitalia has been rescinded with immediate effect, revelealed during a post-qualifying interview with IBR CEO Alessandro Linari.

"Kremnicky's form is not of our concern anymore, the contract has been terminated," he stated. "Sometimes people forget that racing driver is a job rather than a hobby. Unfortunately Andrej's performance and mentality towards his job was not satisfactory. We did not want this decision to be made, but, it was important to bring the team back to a good position."

"It is quite sad it had to end in this way, but sometimes in life, partnerships can take a bad turn and not be able to recover."

The Slovakian has already transferred to rivals Aeroracing, with Marcel Agyemang-Badu going in the other direction. However, after being blocked by Mitchell Macklin in pre-qualifying, Kremnicky failed to qualify for the Monaco GP.

[DemocalypseNow]

Greenlaw benched following Monaco antics

Dan Greenlaw has been suspended by his team indefinitely, after causing yet another retirement to Alitalia stablemate Marcel Agyemang-Badu by crashing.

The American racer rammed his team-mate from behind at the opening corner of the Monaco GP, causing Agyemang-Badu to retire on the spot and ruin his already slim chances of winning the title this season. This follows on from a similar incident at A1 Ring, where Greenlaw lunged at Badu from behind, pitching Badu into a wall.

"Dan Greenlaw has been suspended indefinitely from his driving duties at Scuderia Alitalia with immediate effect," read a statement released by the team. "Mr Greenlaw defied direct instructions from the team, and in the process endangered the safety of not only other drivers in the sport, but that of his own team-mate. Such blatant disregard for those within their own organisation is not taken lightly at Scuderia Alitalia, and we felt no other alternative was possible."

Alitalia have yet to nominate a replacement, but it is believed that Tomo Kazama may be used as immediate relief for the suspended Greenlaw at Spa-Francorchamps.

[Ataxia]

Just to confirm in thread; due to Macklin having a ban for the next race, Benoit Voeckler will have another chance to "shine" in F2RWRS.

[AndreaModa]

Not sure what has been discussed in the chat, but if Greenlaw is available, then Jones Racing is interested in hiring him immediately for the rest of the F2RWRS season, and 2017 if that is attractive to Tristan1117.

[TomWazzleshaw]

2016 F2RWRS Rolex Monaco Grand Prix

Race

Positives

Gianluigi Pazzini - After an abysmal start to his MRT career, Gigi Pazzini has been the form guy of the last few events, and the steamroller didn't look like stopping at Monaco. In an afternoon punctured by several massive accidents and other various hijinks, Pazzini was in prime position with a cool head to take the lead of the race when Dan Greenlaw lost his. While Greenlaw spent the final 10 laps trying in vain to find a way past, Gigi kept his cool to secure a rather fortunate but still well-deserved first victory in the F2RWRS to put him just 2 points behind championship leader Diego Alvarez Torrente

Jordan Davies - The younger Davies has displayed more than enough pace this year to show that he is a name to look out for, but has had almost no luck in the races up to this point. Ironically, on what was probably his quietest weekend of the year, Davies' luck finally held on for once as he found himself 3rd behind Pazzini and Greenlaw once the final stops were done. With Matthias Valsattis, Torrente and Martin van der Maeyede closing in fast though, it looked like he'd have to fight for his 3rd place. And fight he did, as the superior drivability of the Aston Martin powerplant and tenacious defending secured him his first career podium.

Matthias Valsattis - When the Latvian knocked off his front wing at the chicane on the first lap, many thought it would have been it as far as his afternoon was concerned. However, through a combination of incidents up front, clean but fast driving and clever strategy, he quickly found himself back in the points. Once jean-Vincent Albertini tried to eliminate half the field at around mid-distance, Valsattis found himself in potential podium contention as other people made their stops, and at any other track would have found a way past Davies for 3rd. As it stood though, 4th was still a fine result as he continues to rebuild his career.

Martin van der Maeyede - After a season that's been largely fruitless after Adealide, Maeyede came back with a vengeance at Monaco. Another who managed to keep their head screwed on straight, Maeyede spent virtually the entire race glued to the gearboxes of Marko Jantscher and Torrente, all three of whom were on virtually identical two-stop strategies. While all three of them had their podium chances ruined by spending the better part of 15 laps stuck behind Jason Hamilton, Maeyede managed to sneak in 3rd once the Albertini chaos sorted itself out, vaulting him ahead of the likes of Jantscher, Gregor Pascal and Johannes Rueckert and duly rewarding him with 3 points for 6th place

Negatives

Dan Greenlaw - By all rights, the American should have romped away with victory here and Monaco, and indeed he only fell 3 tenths short of doing so. However, all he won this weekend was a P45 from the Alitalia team for shoving teammate Marcel Ageymang-Badu straight into the Ste Devote wall at the start. The stewards didn't take too kindly to it either and pinged him for the incident, triggering a one race ban for Greenlaw. From there however, the impatience continued as after his first and only stop, he continually and needlessly harassed Jean-Vincent Albertini when just staying back would have won him the race. Instead, he got alongside at the exit of the Rascasse on lap 35, had the Monegasque driver violent drive straight into the side of him trying to get into the pitlane, and nearly rolled the car while losing his front wing on the landing. Through sheer dumb luck alone, Greenlaw was able to rejoin in 3rd place behind Torrente, and while he set off after Pazzini, he was unable to overhaul the Italian in the dying stages of the race.

Yuka Katayama - After her remarkable consistency at the start of the year, the Falik Arrows driver seems to have lost her way in recent times. Her struggles from qualifying continued into race day, as she made little headway through the field before an electrical problem forced her into the pits. From there, she achieved absolutely nothing on her way to 13th and last place, although she had caught Wouter Lamberigts and Gilles Massinion by race end.

Daniel Melville - With Martyn Rietacher taking out an unsighted Carter Simpson early on in the race, any hope for a good result for the Young Lions squad laid squarely on the shoulders of the returning Melville in the #15. While the Australian was able to run in the points ahead of Jantscher early on, he soon had an embarrassing moment at Ste Devote where he understeered straight into the outside wall, and left the team with more frustrations and another big repair bill to sort out.

Jean-Vincent Albertini - The hometown hero was stranded in PNowhere after qualifying, and looked like making almost no progress in the early going. However, by the time the two-stoppers had made their first stops, Albertini found himself right behind Jordan Davies in what eventually became part of the battle for 3rd place, before he found himself having to defend the on-track lead from Greenlaw just before his stop. Several lovetaps from the American seemed to raise his blood pressure slightly, but even that couldn't explain nearly putting Greenlaw into the wall while trying to make it into pit entry, which nearly caused the Alitalia to roll against the guardrail and had Albertini pointing the wrong way and trying to make a three-point turn into pitlane. He got two points done until he hit reverse and parked it on the racing line... right infront of Bastiaan van Nieuwenhuijzen, who couldn't avoid the parked Gillet, before the rest of the field showed up and nearly took each other out in the process. As a result of his escapades, Albertini was given both a disqualification and a two race ban, which meant his absence from both the F1 and F2 races at Belgium and Mexico, as well as one of the easiest Reject of the Race awards in living memory.

1. G. Pazzini (MRT-BMW): 1h 22m 39.151
2. D. Greenlaw (Alitalia-Abarth): +0.340
3. J. Davies (Aston Martin): +24.333
4. M. Valsattis (Simpson-BMW): +25.532
5. D. Alvarez Torrente (Plus One-Maserati): +25.995
6. M. van der Maeyede (Fusion-Holden): +26.679
7. J. Rueckert (Jones-Ford): +30.407
8. G. Pascal (Gillet-BMW): +36.717
9. M. Jantscher (Falik Arrows-BMW): +37.201
10. A. Cara (Simpson-BMW): +37.671
11. W. Lamberigts (RonDen-Zastava): +50.409
12. G. Massinion (Jones-Ford): +51.191
13. Y. Katayama (Falik Arrows-BMW): +51.787
DNF. J. Hamilton (MRT-BMW): Transmission
DNF. B. van Nieuwenhuijzen (RonDen-Zastava): Collision
DNF. M. Simon (Aston Martin): Puncture
DNF. D. Melville (Young Lions-Holden): Accident
DNF. M. Macklin (Fusion-Holden): Electrical
DNF. M. Rietacher (Plus One-Maserati): Transmission
DNF. C. Simpson (Young Lions-Holden): Collision
DNF. M. Ageymang-Badu (Alitalia-Abarth): Collision
DSQ. J-V. Albertini (Gillet-BMW)

Pole: W. Lamberigts (RonDen-Zastava): 1:19.712
Fastest Lap: A. Cara (Simpson-BMW): 1:20.264
Reject of the Race: Jean Vincent-Albertini - Dumbass move ruins season prospects
Infinite Improbability Drive of the Race: Jordan Davies - Finally turned around the horrific luck and put the Zandvoort demons behind him
Leaders: W. Lamberigts: 1-9 (Total: 9)
D. Greenlaw: 10-30 (Total: 21)
J-V. Albertini: 31-34 (Total: 4)
G. Pazzini: 35-60 (Total: 26)

Standings can be found here

Stewards Report
Car #33 (Mitchell Macklin) has received a 20 point penalty for blocking Car #25 (Andrej Kremnicky) in pre-qualifying.
Car #5 (Jean-Vincent Albertini) has received a 30 point penalty for illegally blocking other competitors
Car #4 (Dan Greenlaw) has received a 45 point penalty for causing an avoidable collision with Car #3 (Marcel Ageymang-Badu)
Car #5 (Jean-Vincent Albertini) has received a 45 point penalty for causing an avoidable collision with Car #4 (Dan Greenlaw)
Car #5 (Jean-Vincent Albertini) has received a 45 point penalty for causing an avoidable collision with Car #8 (Bastiaan van Nieuwenhuijzen)
Car #5 (Jean-Vincent Albertini) has received a 150 point penalty and has been excluded from the race results due to the severity of various on-track incidents

Mitchell Macklin and Dan Greenlaw have both triggered their one race bans for reaching the 100 point threshold, and their respective team owners must sign replacements for Belgium. In addition, Jean-Vincent Albertini has been given a two race ban, to be served in Belgium and Mexico. Due to the way such race bans are structured, they also carry over to the F1RWRS, and thus both Gillet and Autodynamics must notify the respective commissioners of his replacements. Finally, Nikov Time has completed his one race ban, and is free to return to active competition from Belgium onwards.

[tommykl]

Biscione, would Lucarelli be available again?

[AndreaModa]

If it doesn't clash with IFRC then Hawkin could sub for Albertini if you'd like Tommy. He got on well with Gillet before!

[tommykl]

If it doesn't clash with IFRC then Hawkin could sub for Albertini if you'd like Tommy. He got on well with Gillet before!

That could indeed work very well

[Nessafox]

Well, there's defenitely going some pressure on Lamberigts to finally deliver results. (which would mean his contract will not be extended into 2017).
Now about Van Nieuwenhuyzen: not completely dominating the driver with the worst race pace who happens to drive in an identical car is a major dissapointment. He was expected to challenge for the championship. With this kind of performances, he's not doing himself any favours on the driver market. We request that he'll start to get his act together.

[DemocalypseNow]

Biscione, would Lucarelli be available again?

Sure, Lucarelli can return. IFRC doesn't clash so he'll do nicely.

[tommykl]

Alright then, I suppose each driver can do the one race

EDIT: With the second race clashing with IFRC, I don't want to force any driver to race in F2RWRS unless they choose to. Lucarelli will drive in Belgium and Terry Hawkin, if he chooses to, has an option to race in Mexico. If he doesn't want to, another driver will be searched for.

[Nuppiz]

If it doesn't clash with IFRC then Hawkin could sub for Albertini if you'd like Tommy. He got on well with Gillet before!

Sure, Lucarelli can return. IFRC doesn't clash so he'll do nicely.

Alright then, I suppose each driver can do the one race

Think again. While there's no clashes at the Spa SuperPrix (with IFRC opting for the first weekend while F2RWRS is doing the latter weekend), the next round has a major clash as F2RWRS in Mexico while IFRC is in Russia.

[AndreaModa]

Up to you then Tommy what you want. I'll make Hawkin available for Spa if you want him but his main focus is IFRC so won't be around for Mexico.

[tommykl]

Alright then, as discussed in the chat, here's how things will work out.

Belgium: Alessandro Lucarelli (he did very well last time around)
Mexico: Gillet will extend an offer towards Martin van der Meyde, since F1RICS doesn't have a race scheduled that weekend.

[pasta_maldonado]

Alright then, as discussed in the chat, here's how things will work out.

Belgium: Alessandro Lucarelli (he did very well last time around)
Mexico: Gillet will extend an offer towards Martin van der Meyde, since F1RICS doesn't have a race scheduled that weekend.

Martin van der Meyde (no relation to Martin van der Maeyede) will happily take up the Gillet offer to make his RWRS debut.

[tommykl]

Alright then, as discussed in the chat, here's how things will work out.

Belgium: Alessandro Lucarelli (he did very well last time around)
Mexico: Gillet will extend an offer towards Martin van der Meyde, since F1RICS doesn't have a race scheduled that weekend.

Martin van der Meyde (no relation to Martin van der Maeyede) will happily take up the Gillet offer to make his RWRS debut.

We have a deal then

[DemocalypseNow]

To confirm; Tomo Kazama replaces Dan Greenlaw for Spa-Francorchamps.

Linari slams "desperate" Jones after Greenlaw poach attempt

Alessandro Linari has yet again voiced criticism against arch rivals Jones Racing, this time following a public reaching-out by the British squad to hire Alitalia driver Dan Greenlaw.

"I think Sammy Jones needs a dictionary," quipped Linari. "Suspended and terminated are two different words. The second he sees a driver who isn't racing, he's sniffing all up in their junk, desperate to pick off the scraps falling off the edge of other teams."

"There's no denying Alitalia have had a rocky season, but nothing as bad as the awful season Jones have run. They have two talentless hacks at the wheel and the second they see another driver who might be leaving their current squad, they are becoming desperate to jump at them. It's hardly surprising, their F2RWRS outfit is a shambles."

"Greenlaw failed to conduct himself in a proper manner and is being punished for this, but it doesn't mean his entire career at Alitalia is over. He's still a very young lad and is learning some important lessons. However, just because a driver is benched for disciplinary reasons, doesn't suddenly make him a free agent."

Greenlaw has been replaced by Tomo Kazama for the next round at Spa-Francorchamps, but it remains to be seen when the American driver will return.

"Greenlaw's suspension will end depending on how he copes with this development. His reaction to recent events will make a big difference either way to how quickly he returns to the cockpit."

[Aerospeed]

Finally Davies gets a podium!!!

[Salamander]

I'm really glad to finally get a podium finish because it feels like foreverrr since I last had one! After the race in Zandfor-- Zanver-- that Dutch track, I was really upset 'cause I thought I could've won it really easy and then I just lost control, so I decided what I needed to do here was be really careful and just try and stay away from everyone and it worked!

[AndreaModa]

"Linari ruins drivers' careers" blasts Jones

Sammy Jones has responded angrily to comments made by Alitalia boss Alessandro Linari over the Italian team's wayward American driver Dan Greenlaw. Jones looked set to swoop for the out-of-favour Greenlaw who has been suspended by his current team for continuing on-track antics but Linari has rebuffed Jones' attempts, brandishing Sammy as "desperate".

Jones has shot back at the Italian however, likening him to "a fat kid clinging to his fizzy cola bottles" over the issue of Greenlaw. Scuderia Alitalia's young driver program gets a thorough examination as well, which Jones says is "a shambolic mess of ridiculous contracts and performance clauses". Linari and Alitalia, are Jones says, "career-ruiners", hoarding young drivers and leaving rival teams "with the sh*t at the bottom of the barrel".

His full response to Linari to the media on the eve of the Belgian Grand Prix follows:

"Linari is like a fat kid in a sweet shop, he doesn't want anyone else having drivers as good as his. This creates a problem where we have half of the F2RWRS grid running drivers that are meant to be part of some organised program but is in fact a shambolic mess of ridiculous contracts and performance clauses. You've only got to look at the way that Kremnicky has been treated recently to see that, for Linari, nothing else matters except that rival teams are left with the sh*t at the bottom of the barrel. If you remember in 2014, Andrej was meant to be the future F1RWRS champion if you believed the horseshit spouting from Alitalia and instead less than two seasons later he's out on his arse because he's had a bit of a tricky year. The same is now happening with Greenlaw. According to the hype earlier this year he was going to walk away with the championship with races to spare and yet here we are at the tail end of said season with Greenlaw out of the Alitalia car. I'm merely trying to give obvious talent such as Greenlaw a proper chance to demonstrate his abilities.

"You'll notice I've had Johannes Rueckert in my car for two seasons now, and whilst his performances haven't been anything like good enough, I've at least had the dignity to give him the chance without firing him halfway through the year. If Linari wants to cling to Greenlaw like a fat kid clinging to his fizzy cola bottles then he can be my guest. When all the F1RWRS teams are wondering where all the supposed "talent" has disappeared to, they can look straight at Linari as he hordes them in his basement farming them out to teams with no hope in hell of even qualifying for races. The fact of the matter is, Linari and Alitalia are career-ruiners. Young drivers and their managers would be wise to avoid that bunch of Italian idiots like the plague."

[Ataxia]

If you take the qualifying into account, this race was amazing! I thought it was all over after my pitstop, but clawing it back to 5th is a really nice thing to happen. Congratulations to Gianluigi on the race win, and I hope that we can have a really good battle for the championship!

Monaco failed to deliver an optimal result for us. This isn't particularly pleasing.

[TomWazzleshaw]

2016 F2RWRS Shell Belgian Grand Prix

Pre-Qualifying

With Mitchell Macklin being benched for the weekend, pre-qualifying was blown wide open for the rest of the teams, as now both Jones and Red Bull were salivating at the chance of a much easier ride into the maingame should Aeroracing return to form. The Spanish squad didn't fail to disappoint, as Akira Yamamura went to the top of the timesheets in the closing stages of the session to put Aeroracing through. Despite brief cameos from both Dofascos, Martin van der Maeyede and Laurent Seron over the course of the session, it eventually did come down to a Jones vs Red Bull battle for the second spot, with the latter triumphing with Cave Johnson's second lap in the treacherous conditions.

1. A. Yamamura (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): 2:10.674
2. L. Seron (Beirao-BMW): +0.084
3. M. van der Maeyede (Fusion-Holden): +0.095
4. S. Prost (Red Bull WRT-Holden): +0.325
5. G. Massinion (Jones-Ford): +0.355
6. J. McAllister (Dofasco-Chrysler): +0.370
7. A. Kremnicky (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): +0.523
8. C. Johnson (Red Bull WRT-Holden): +0.593
9. J. Rueckert (Jones-Ford): +0.667
10. E. Swerts (Dofasco-Chrysler): +0.906
11. J. Antonio Soares (Beirao-BMW): +1.286
12. B. Voeckler (Fusion-Holden): +3.335

Qualifying

For the second time in three events, Marko Jantscher found himself in hot water after an incident in qualifying. Having flown off the road into the Eau Rouge runoff on his first lap, the pressure was on the Austrian on his second hot lap to deliver in the wet conditions. All he ended up delivering however was another off-track moment at Eau Rouge, which resulted in a four-car pileup involving Jantscher, Akira Yamamura, Martyn Rietacher and Daniel Melville. The resulting mess meant that qualifying had to be red flagged and reset, with those four drivers all missing out in the restarted session and Yamamura spending a worrying amount of time in the medical center being observed after extraditing himself from the car.

The mess took so long to sort out that the track had virtually dried out by the time the session was restarted, and it immediately became clear that Diego Alvarez Torrente wanted to win the title this year, as he stormed straight to pole position ahead of Alberto Cara. Torrente's main title contender Gianluigi Pazzini was 5th for MRT behind Alessando Lucarelli, while the two Aston drivers were both called to Mr Johnson's office in the Aston pits after the session when they collided with each other, forcing Marie Simon in to fix damage on her car.

1. D. Alvarez Torrente (Plus One-Maserati): 1:58.443
2. A. Cara (Simpson-BMW): +0.208
3. W. Lamberigts (RonDen-Zastava): +0.609
4. A. Lucarelli (Gillet-BMW): +0.747
5. G. Pazzini (MRT-BMW): +1.168
6. J. Davies (Aston Martin): +1.173
7. B. van Nieuwenhuijzen (RonDen-Zastava): +1.174
8. T. Kazama (Alitalia-Abarth): +1.228
9. C. Simpson (Young Lions-Holden): +1.261
10. G. Pascal (Gillet-BMW): +1.436
11. M. Ageymang-Badu (Alitalia-Abarth): +1.439
12. A. Kremnicky (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): +1.532
13. M. Valsattis (Simpson-BMW): +1.582
14. S. Prost (Red Bull-Holden): +1.642
15. C. Johnson (Red Bull-Holden): +1.782
16. Y. Katayama (Falik Arrows-BMW): +1.895
17. J. Hamilton (MRT-BMW): +1.932
18. M. Simon (Aston Martin): +2.126
19. D. Melville (Young Lions-Holden): No Time
20. M. Jantscher (Falik Arrows-BMW): No Time
21. A. Yamamura (Aeroracing-Alfa Romeo): No Time
22. M. Rietacher (Plus One-Maserati): No Time

[Salamander]

I'm really really sorry to Marie and the team, we kinda had a bit of trouble getting ready, and on my outlap, so I was behind her coming into the bus stop, and I wanted to get past 'cause I know I'm really good at qualifying and if I was behind her I'd have a not very good lap, so I went to try and pass her and I guess I just didn't have enough heat in the tyres and I ran into her. Sorry.