Chadwick So Close: Ferrari 1-2 but Final Corner Decides It

Chaos, Comebacks, and a Ferrari Finale: Bono Huis Wins Austria in Reverse!

The F1 Esports Tier 1 World Championship rolled into the Red Bull Ring for a dramatic twist  the reverse layout. And it delivered a thrilling contest that shook up the standings.

The Start: Ferrari Flies, Mercedes Fights

The grid lined up with Matthew Fisher on pole, Jos Van Hallen alongside, and Bono Huis in 3rd. At lights out, the two Ferraris launched brilliantly. Huis jumped both front-row starters and took the lead into Turn 1, showing his intent early. Fisher slotted into second, with Adam Chadwick making an electric start from P7 to P4.

Disaster struck on Lap 3 Jos Van Hallen’s Ferrari suffered a catastrophic engine failure. The Red Bull Ring fell silent under a full course safety car, as the field bunched up and strategies got a shakeup.

Strategy Shakeup

Half the grid boxed under the safety car, including race leader Huis, switching to mediums. Fisher stayed out on his medium-to-soft plan, rejoining in fifth. The restart saw Fisher quickly regain positions, slicing through the field with clinical precision, reclaiming the race lead by Lap 12.

But his teammate Gunthenstiner, and both McLarens, were still on long opening stints. As expected, they eventually pitted, promoting Fisher back to the front  seemingly in control.

 Late Drama: Tyre Trouble!

Then came heartbreak. With just three laps to go, Fisher suffered a front-left puncture, sending the championship leader crawling to the pits. His 8-second lead disappeared. The team suggested retirement  but Fisher refused.

"No chance. Send me back out."  Fisher over team radio

The final two laps became a Ferrari shootout  Bono Huis vs Adam Chadwick  teammates, rivals, and now locked in combat. Chadwick led into the final lap, but Huis made a masterclass move on the final corner to snatch his 44th career win.

Fisher finished down in 18th but escaped major championship damage, as title rival Shane Murphey only managed 11th.

Post Race Comments: 

 Bono Huis (P1):

"The reverse layout is tricky, but we executed perfectly today. That final move on Adam  one of the most satisfying of my career."

 Adam Chadwick (P2):

"It stings a bit to lose it so late, but credit to Bono. It was clean and fair. Ferrari 1-2, can't complain."

 Matthew Fisher (P18):

"I was gutted about the puncture, but that's racing. The team asked me to park it, but I wasn't going to just give up. You never know what could happen  and I’m not wired that way."

 Shane Murphey (P11):

"We missed the window today. Points were possible, but we got stuck in traffic. One to forget."