Photo: W Series
Beitske Visser secured the W Series Esports League title with three races to spare at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, as guest driver Gabriela Jilkova also secured a victory.
The format was altered slightly for the penultimate round of the season, due to the nature of the circuit and for the cars used. Damage was disabled, while the first two races were shortened compared to their usual length.
Visser took pole for the first race and held off title rival Marta Garcia at the start. Garcia was able to keep Visser within reach through the 10-minute, two-lap race but was unable to put in a challenge for the position.
Nerea Marti made a decisive move on Caitlin Wood early on to secure third, while Wood was ahead of Jilkova.
The fully reversed grid race started with Vicky Piria and Bruna Tomaselli on the front row, with the Brazilian driver taking the early lead.
Naomi Schiff and Jilkova made decisive moves on Tomaselli early on as Piria dropped through the field. Tomaselli had an unfortunate moment where she crashed and clipped into the barrier, effectively ending her race despite the lack of damage.
As Jilkova made her move on Schiff for the lead, Visser climbed up to fourth from the absolute back.
Jilkova pulled away on the second lap, as Schiff found herself defending from Belen Garcia and Visser. Marta Garcia, meanwhile, diced with Tasmin Pepper over fifth.
Visser initially got past Schiff down the lengthy Dottinger-Hohe on the final lap, but Schiff found her way back past for second at the end.
Jilkova won, taking her first victory in her fifth start, but Schiff took the points for the first position with second – her maiden podium finish.
Visser’s third position (but second position in terms of points) meant that either second in the third race of the day, or Marta Garcia (who took points for fourth) not taking the fastest lap, would seal the title.
Marta Garcia took pole for the 20-minute third race, but Visser made a move early on to take the lead.
Garcia then ran wide and hit the barriers, but only lost a single position to Wood.
Visser opened up a small lead as Garcia got back at Wood but was around two seconds back through the remainder of the race.
An 11th victory of the season clinched the title for Visser, with next week’s Silverstone finale the remaining round left to run.
Marta Garcia did take second in the end, ahead of Wood – who held off pressure from Jilkova throughout.
In addition to Jilkova running, Hannah Grisham and Formula E Race at Home driver Charlie Martin also took part as non-scoring guest drivers. Both featured heavily in the midpack throughout the event.