In the heart of the action-packed F1 Co-Op Season 3, the second race unfolded on the narrow and high-speed streets of Jeddah. This circuit, infamous for its challenges, marked a crucial battleground for the dynamic duo, The Captain and Kruimel, who faced difficulties in Season 1 at the same venue.
Qualifying Drama:
As the engines roared during qualifying, both Dutch drivers showcased their prowess. The Captain set an early blistering time, securing a front-row start. On the other hand, Kruimel, known for his late-session heroics, delivered, claiming the pole position. The Captain, despite missing the top spot, expressed optimism, acknowledging the team’s achievements on a circuit that didn’t favor their car: “To start on the front row here is fantastic. The real challenge is converting this into points. Jeddah is a track where errors are severely punished, so it’ll be interesting.”
Race Start and Early Twists:
When the lights went out, Kruimel managed to maintain his lead through the notorious first corner. However, The Captain’s race took a dramatic turn as he made contact with Max Verstappen, resulting in damage to both cars. Despite the setback, Kruimel carved out a small lead in the initial laps, while The Captain valiantly held onto the second position despite his compromised pace.
Max Verstappen, forced into an early pit stop for repairs and a switch to medium tires, faced an uphill battle to salvage points.
Virtual Safety Car Drama:
The race took an unexpected turn in the third lap when Yuki Tsunoda’s Mercedes suffered a mechanical failure, prompting a Virtual Safety Car (VSC). Both Dutch drivers struggled to adhere to the required delta time, nearly incurring drive-through penalties. The Captain opted to serve the penalty immediately, rejoining the race over 12 seconds behind. In contrast, Kruimel, aiming to capitalize on the clean air, waited, returning with an 8-second advantage after serving his penalty.
Safety Car Reshuffles the Pack:
Kruimel’s strategy appeared promising until an unfortunate incident unfolded. Attempting an overtake on the Alpha Tauri of Sainz, Kruimel misjudged, resulting in a crash. The ensuing Safety Car period seemed like a lifeline for The Captain as he pitted, but the rest of the field also capitalized on the opportunity for a free stop. Only Max Verstappen, not needing a pit stop, made significant gains, climbing to P6.
Late Drama and Checkered Flag:
Post-Safety Car restart, The Captain, struggling with pace due to floor damage, found it challenging to make up positions. Eventually, Ferrari made the tough call, pulling The Captain out of the race, signaling the end of his Jeddah campaign.
At the front, his teammate Charles LeClerc, benefitting from the Safety Car, maintained his lead, securing a triumphant victory. Théo Pourchaire claimed second, while Dennis Hauger secured the final podium spot.
Drivers’ Standings:
In the championship standings, Hauger’s consistency propelled him to the top with 27 points, followed closely by The Captain and Max Verstappen. Charles LeClerc, with his Jeddah triumph, stands fourth.
Constructors’ Standings:
In the constructors’ battle, Ferrari stands firmly at the top with 51 points, followed by McLaren with an impressive 35 points. Red Bull, facing a challenging start, holds the third spot with only 1 point behind McLaren.
As the F1 Co-Op Season 3 progresses, attention now shifts to Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia. Dennis Hauger’s emergence as a contender, the redemption quest for Kruimel and The Captain, and Red Bull’s bid for resurgence promise another thrilling chapter in this riveting season.
