Grand Prix 4 Formula One Career Season 1998

kedy89 · Apr 2, 2015

Aidan Keranen said:
that isn't a promise, that is a dream
edit: unless you are Tobi, that is actually realistic for him

Tbh, I think I might retire after a 4th title, was already close to do so after the third.

Aidan Keranen · Apr 2, 2015

kedy89 said:
Tbh, I think I might retire after a 4th title, was already close to do so after the third.

well i guess i have a chance again

kedy89 · Apr 2, 2015

1998 Japanese GP

Hunsley takes the title
What seemed to be impossible a couple of races ago, turned reality today as Jack Hunsley managed to win the title in the final race, with an equal amount of points as Engberink, but one win more.
At the start Hunsley kept the lead, while Engberink immediately got past Utzer in second. Poirier dropped back behind Rautavaara to 5th, and Keranen could get past his teammate to 6th. Herbert with the best start of the drivers in the top 10, getting up to 7th place. On the way to 130R he made it 6th by passing Keranen. Further down the field Black also with a great opening lap, climbing from 21st to 17th. At the front Hunsley and Engberink quickly built a gap to the rest. Herbert meanwhile with a great run, first passing Poirier for 5th in lap 2, then taking 4th from Rautavaara one lap later. Utzer again laking a bit of race pace, holding up the cars behind him. In lap 7 Herbert finally found a way past Utzer, followed by Poirier only a few seconds later. Another lap later Diehl also passed the German. In lap 8 both McNamara and Kederer went off the track, losing a few places. Herbert meanwhile chasing Engberink, who lost ground on Hunsley. In lap 13 he went past, which meant that Engberink now was only 1 point ahead of Hunsley. First retirement of the day in lap 17, the electrics of Néron's Prost failed, forcing him to stop his car. Two laps later Lintner engine blew up.
In the meantime the two stoppers had started to come in, among them Herbert, Diehl and Poirier. This promoted Engberink back to 2nd, meaning the gap was now 3 points. Around lap 26 the one stoppers made their stops, Hunsley kept his lead, while Engberink dropped down to 5th, behind Herbert, Poirier and Diehl, which meant that Hunsley now was 1 point ahead. Utzer fell back to 13th, mainly caused by a slight off he had immediately after his stop. In 6th now Saidy, who also was on a two stop strategy. In lap 37 Herbert passed Hunsley for the lead, but one lap later only he came in for his second stop.
After the two stoppers had all pitted, it was Hunsley in the lead, over 20 seconds ahead of Engberink, Herbert, Poirier, Diehl and Utzer, who thanks to his one stop strategy found the way back in the points. The gap between Engberink and Herbert was only 2 seconds, and thanks to his fresher tyres it didn't take him long to take second place. Herbert now gained over 1 second per lap on Hunsley, while Poirier in 4th quickly closed in on Engberink. In lap 51 the Benetton driver found his way past, which meant that Hunsley and Engberink now had an equal amount of points, but Hunsley would have one win more if he stayed in front. With only 2 laps to go and Herbert being 7 seconds behind, he had no problem to do so, and took the win and thus his first championship. Herbert finished second, followed by Poirier, Engberink, Diehl and Utzer.

FIA Press Conference
@Jack Hunsley: Congratulations on the long awaited title. After round 10 you were 30 points behind, did you expect to make such a comeback and take it in the end?
@Tim Engberink: You got so close, only losing on countback. Extremely disappointed, or a bit happy nonetheless about a very successful rookie season?
@Ben Herbert: Most podiums this season, and third in the championship despite not taking a win. What do you think is possible next year?

Milos · Apr 2, 2015

shame, just missing out on points is Joel due to a poor strategy. Once again Arrows messing it up just like in Austria for me last year where I could've won and got into the hall of fame.

saving again

Jimlaad43 · Apr 2, 2015

Yes Jack! Commiserations to Tim, almost the perfect debut season, but nonetheless, an amazing season. Lets take Stewart towards the title again next season!

Joel · Apr 2, 2015

Saving

Milos · Apr 2, 2015

oh wait, it's the last race of the season?

This flew by quickly

Jimlaad43 · Apr 2, 2015

Saving? That was the last race of the season

BTW, HOF updated!

kedy89 · Apr 2, 2015

Congrats Jack, was about time that you took the title

. Shame for Tim, but still a cracking debut season for you.

My season was the opposite to the previous ones, extremely good in the opening races, sucking bad ass in the ones after. Another win (7th if I'm not mistaken) in the constructors though, mainly thanks to Ben's constant top results. Well done mate

Aidan Keranen · Apr 2, 2015

Jordan's fortunes seriously changed when we did the swap. With that knowledge, well oops.
But onwards I look, hoping that we'll be taking the MP4-14 to the front next season

kedy89 · Apr 2, 2015

Next season cof-changes

BAR and Williams will both run Supertec engines with value 5000.

Also note that the rewards haven't been added yet to your accounts in the op. Might be 2 weeks until the new thread opens, mainly as I've still to build the mod.