hero-img

Van Gisbergen claims round win, Verstappen three podiums

15 Apr 2020
Red Bull soars during Round 2 of the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries
6 mins by James Pavey
Advertisement

Fans from around the world have watched on as Shane van Gisbergen has claimed the inaugural ARMOR ALL Driver of the Round Award in the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries this evening.

WATCH: MAX AND SHANE TALK IT OUT POST RACE 

Shane van Gisbergen and Max Verstappen talk it out post race

The 2016 Virgin Australia Supercars Champion also claimed bragging rights over his good friend and Formula 1 superstar Max Verstappen, after the pair put on a dominant display in the second round of the BP Supercars All Stars Eseries.

Van Gisbergen, who started the round back in 14th position on the Coates Hire Leaderboard, claimed two race wins and a 3rd placing out of tonight’s four races split between the famous Silverstone and Barcelona F1 circuits.

Verstappen, in his first ever attempt at racing against Supercars’ best, finished with three 2nd place finishes to show his world-class ability.

Youngster Anton De Pasquale finished the night with a win and two podiums, to round out a successful evening of virtual racing for Holden.

Ford’s Cam Waters recorded his first win of the Eseries, while favourite Scott McLaughlin, who claimed two out of three wins in last week’s opening round, went home with one 3rd placing.

Verstappen’s performance was top class from his home in Monaco. He qualified 6th twice and 5th once and went on to claim three podiums in an outing fans hope isn’t his last in the Supercars Eseries.

As was the case in round one, there were some spectacular crashed to go with tough door-to-door racing.

Seven-time Supercars Champion Jamie Whincup was involved in numerous crashes, while McLaughlin himself was caught up in critical incidents which hindered his chances of adding to his win tally.

RACE FOUR - SILVERSTONE

Penrite Commodore driver Anton De Pasquale was one of the pre-event favourites to win the entire BP Eseries however found himself back in 16th on the Coates Hire Leaderboard heading into tonight’s races.

He pushed the disappointment of last week behind him from the outset, claiming ARMOR ALL Pole Position for the opening race at Silverstone this evening.

The 24-year old Melbournian had the perfect start and led from start to finish to claim his first win of the year.

Behind De Pasquale Verstappen made the passing move of the night on the second lap. As Van Gisbergen and McLaughlin exchanged paint and tried to block each other, the Dutch F1 superstar swooped and moved from 4th into 2nd position where he would remain for the rest of the seven-lap race.

Van Gisbergen finished third, holding off McLaughlin.

RACE FIVE – SILVERSTONE

Drivers started in reverse grid order, meaning those who finished last in the opening race started from the front.

Advertisement

De Pasquale started from last after his opening race win and quickly made his way through the field, along with his teammate Will Brown, who was filling in for David Reynolds in the #9 Penrite Commodore.

At the front Supercars rookie Jake Kostecki opening up an early lead but was mowed down in the closing laps by Cam Waters who went on to record his first virtual win. De Pasquale finished third.

RACE SIX – BARCELONA

On the circuit where Verstappen does F1 testing and claimed his first ever Grand Prix win, he was always going to be a favourite and he did not disappoint.

After starting from 6th, the Aston Martin Red Bull driver waited patiently to make his move and along with van Gisbergen pushed to the front mid-way through the race.

From there the pair were never really troubled with van Gisbergen’s first iRacing victory an early brag over Verstappen, as the pair race online together regularly.

De Pasquale was third.

RACE SEVEN – BARCELONA

In the final race of the night, it was a tense start with everyone looking to get the jump causing several favourites to crash out.

Verstappen and De Pasquale collided sending the #99 Commodore out of contention, while Verstappen held on and maintained his position.

The Dutchman led for much of the race however van Gisbergen pitted later meaning he had fresher tyres. The kiwi than drove down Verstappen with three laps to go and took the lead which he held onto until the chequered flag.

McLaughlin finished in third.

PIRTEK Memorable Moments

Race 4, Silverstone (7 laps)

  • Lap 1: De Pasquale got the perfect start

  • Lap 1: Verstappen has great start, jumps two positions before first corner

  • Lap 2: McLaughlin and van Gisbergen trade paint and almost go off road

  • Lap 2: As McLaughlin and van Gisbergen tussle, Verstappen makes a brilliant move on the inside to jump into second place

  • Lap 2: Chaz Mostert and Andre Heimgartner run side by side. Heimgartner holds the inside line on a tough corner and holds onto fifth place.

  • Lap 5: De Pasquale still holds the lead from Verstappen and Van Gisbergen, who is now locked onto the back of the F1 racer as they battle for second.

  • Lap 5: De Pasquale edged clear as Verstappen, van Gisbergen, and McLaughlin shadow one another trying to get themselves on the podium.

  • Final lap: De Pasquale crosses for his first win in the BP Eseries, Verstappen in second, a huge race on his first time out against Supercars best

Race 5, Silverstone (9 laps)

  • Lap 1: Mark Winterbottom starts from pole position in the reverse grid order race and gest a clean break off the lights

  • Lap 1: An early incident involving Verstappen, Whincup and Will Davison may have ended the Dutchman’s chances before they begin in Race 2.

  • Lap 3: Andre Heimgartner slides out and McLaughlin goes past

  • Lap 5: Verstappen gets under the wing of Rick Kelly and goes flying past the Castrol Mustang

  • Lap 5: Rookie Jake Kostecki in the lead with Cam Waters closing fast

  • Lap 5: Waters goes past as Kostecki goes wide, Waters the new race leader

  • Lap 5: Van Gisbergen collides with De Pasquale late heading into a corner, he then nudges the Penrite Commodore back into position. No penalties.

  • Final Lap: Waters wins his first race of the Eseries, Kostecki second and De Pasquale records his second podium of the night after starting last.

Race 6, Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya (8 laps)

  • Lap 1: De Pasquale and van Gisbergen start from the front row but it’s replacement driver Will Brown in the #9 Penrite Commodore who makes the big move off the lights, he is straight into second

  • Lap 1: McLaughlin and Mostert spin on the opening corner after collisions in the pack, hard to win from there.

  • Lap 1: Fabian Coulthard spins at Turn 5 cruelling his push to the front

  • Lap 1: Waters and Heimgartner collide, pushing Waters into the fence

  • Lap 1: Verstappen had a slight collision with De Pasquale which goes unpunished. De Pasquale out of contention early.

  • Lap 1: Early leaders are van Gisbergen, Verstappen and Will Brown.

  • Lap 6: Verstappen leads, could he hold on for a memorable victory

  • Lap 8: Van Gisbergen overtakes his close friend and Red Bull teammate, looks like SVG will win from here with Verstappen 2nd for the third time tonight.

  • Final Lap: McLaughlin has fought back from last to 12th, important points

  • Final Lap: van Gisbergen leads Verstappen across the line with De Pasquale a fitting third.

Related News

Advertisement