Högfeldt wins both races at Brands Hatch in the BMW M6. Reigning champion Löhner only scores two points. Overall positions two to four are tied on points.
Christopher Högfeldt (Virtualdrivers by TX3) was definitely the man of the opening round of this season’s ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship powered by EnBW mobility+ at the virtual Brands Hatch. The Swede won both the sprint and the main race at the British circuit, picking up a maximum 80 points at round one of season four of the sim racing series, which features a prize purse of € 70,000.
Högfeldt showed in every session that he is a force to be reckoned with this season. He started the 15-minute sprint race from pole position and dominated from start to finish, taking the chequered flag with a commanding lead of almost two seconds over Nikodem Wisniewski (Williams Esports). Erhan Jajovski (R8G eSports) was third.
Högfeld also came out on top in the second qualifying session. He then defended his position superbly at the start of the 40-minute main race, and proceeded to pull clear of the rest of the field. Second-placed Isaac Price did attempt to put the Swede under a little pressure towards the end of the race, but Högfeld comfortably claimed his second victory of the season, ensuring he left Brands Hatch with the maximum 80 points. Marc Gassner of MRS eSports came home third. Price set the fastest lap time of the race (1:22.647 minutes), for which he was rewarded with the motorsport.com Fastest Lap Award and € 250.
“This result is unbelievable – I never expected that,” said a delighted Högfeld after the race. “Isaac Price was fast in race two, and I was worried whether I would be able to stay out in front. However, I was able to hold on to my position. It will be hard to maintain this standard in the coming races, but I will do my best.”
Högfeldt’s closest rivals in the overall standings are Bence Bánki (Dörr Esports), Erhan Jajovski and Nikodem Wisniewski (Williams Esports), who are all on 54 points in positions two to four. “I had no luck in the qualifying sessions, so had to start aggressively,” said Bánki. “That was my only chance to gain positions, as it is very difficult to overtake at Brands Hatch. I know I am not the fastest in the field, but I am very consistent, and that is what I am counting on this season.”
Defending champion Moritz Löhner (Dörr Esports) endured a season-opener to forget. He failed to finish race one, before picking up just two points in race two after a spin in the pit lane entry.
The sim racers return to action in just two weeks, on 1st March 2022, at round two of the ADAC GT Masters eSports Championship powered by EnBW mobility+, which takes place at Watkins Glen in the USA.
