ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship·3.3.2022

Christopher Högfeldt extends his lead

Keithley and Högfeldt win at Watkins Glen. Högfeldt continues to top table.

Almost everything went to plan again for Christopher Högfeldt (Virtualdrivers by TX3) in round two of the ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship powered by EnBW mobility+. The Swede claimed his third win of the season, together with an excellent second place, at the virtual Watkins Glen circuit. As such, he continues to top the overall standings in the prestigious sim racing series, which boasts a prize purse of € 70,000.

The 15-minute sprint race initially saw pole-sitter Jack Keithley pull clear of his rivals in his BMW M6 GT3. After a long chase, Högfeldt eventually crossed the finish line just 0.304 seconds behind the British driver. Third place, 1.673 seconds back from Keithley, was Williams eSports sim racer Jakub Brzezinski.

The podium after the sprint race © Photo: ADAC

Jack Keithley again came out on top in qualifying for the 30-minute main race. Högfeldt qualified second, setting up another thrilling duel. Keithley defended his lead brilliantly at first, closely followed by Högfeldt and Bénce Banki (Dörr Esports). At the halfway point of the race, Högfeldt was the first of the leading group to come into the pits, followed just one lap later by Keithley. The action really heated up at the pit lane exit: after his stop, the Brit returned to the track right next to Högfeldt. The Swede, on warmer tyres, took the lead. Shortly before the end of the race, Keithley attempted to launch another attack on the Högfeldt, but the championship leader defended ferociously in his BMW M6 GT3 and went on to take victory. Bence Bánki, who made his pit stop one lap later than the leading duo, was unable to benefit from the battle raging ahead of him and came home third.

“I was extremely nervous before the event, but it all went well. In the main race, I was assuming that Bence would stay out longer, in order to take advantage of the battle between Jack and me. I am now looking forward to the Nürburgring,” said an overjoyed Christian Högfeldt after the event.

The podium after the main race © Photo: ADAC

Defending champion Moritz Löhner (Dörr Esports) again had to make do with a meagre points haul after two disappointing races in round two of the ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship, and now faces an uphill struggle if he is to defend his title this season.

Högfeldt leads the overall standings with 154 points, ahead of Keithley (114 points). Bence Bánki lies third with 108 points, followed by Erhan Jajovski (97 points). Bánki set a fastest lap time of 1:43.414 minutes in the main race to win the Fastest Lap Award presented by motorsport.com and pick up a cheque for € 250.

The ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship powered by EnBW mobility+ next heads to the virtual Nürburgring on 15th March, as the season reaches the halfway point.