AUSSIE ROGERS WINS FORMULA E SIM RACE

Aussie Joshua Rogers wins Formula E sim race – Photo: Supplied

Australian sim racer Joshua Rogers has won the first virtual Formula E “Race at Home Challenge” on the streets of Hong Kong.

By DAN McCARTHY

The Race at Home Challenge is a temporary simulator based replacement for the FIA Formula E Championship 2019/2020 which has been postponed to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rogers, the inaugural Supercars Eseries Championship winner and reigning Porsche Esports Supercup series winner hopped behind the wheel of the Porsche 99X Formula E car.

The 20-year-old qualified on the third row in fifth but made his way up to second position at the start of the race and remained in that spot for much of the race.

However, Rogers showed strong patience and on the penultimate lap snatched the race lead, which he held to the flag scoring 25-points towards the Drivers’ Standings.

“Naturally, I am over the moon with the win, the race couldn’t have gone any better,” Rogers said.

“Qualifying wasn’t easy, and didn’t pass totally without errors, but fifth place was good for us. It meant we were able to stay out of the melee in the first turn.

“Many thanks to everyone from the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E team for the opportunity to represent the Porsche colours in this race. I’m really looking forward to the next race.”

His teammates, regular Formula E drivers Andre Lotterer and Neel Jani did not fare so well.

Former Le Mans 24 Hours winner and World Endurance Champion Jani finished in 12th position after getting involved in a number of incidents. Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Lotterer started from ninth but had to retire due to a simulator technical problem on lap 3.

The FIA Formula E Race at Home Challenge is different to the Supercars All Star Eseries and IndyCar iRacing Challenge as each Formula E team can select professional Esports to take part in a separate professional simulator driver’s race.

Races will follow the traditional Formula E scoring system, with bonus points for pole position and the fastest race lap, however, double points will be awarded at the final race on June 13 with each event taking place on a weekly basis.

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