Create account | Log in as member
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
April 11, 2025
Tweet
Loic Meunier delivered a sensational first victory of the season at Suzuka, mastering a chaotic Round 3 of the 2025 GPVWC Superleague that left title favourites scrambling and team strategies in ruins.
The Spark Racing Team driver held his nerve through wheel-to-wheel battles, a critical pit phase, and late-race pressure to claim a dramatic win over championship leader Jan Granqvist.
Qualifying gave little hint of what was to come. Granqvist took pole once again, but it was clear the field was closing in. Road2Formula's Alex Lehoux and Meunier were within a tenth, while Carlos Martin, Alessandro Maggio and Matthew Williams were all in striking distance. Granqvist, however, seemed to have cut the final chicane on his best qualifying lap so it remains to be seen if he will get a post-race penalty.
But the story of qualifying was less about who topped the charts and more about who didn't - THR were nowhere. Tom Stevens and Jarl Teien lined up 13th and 10th respectively, in what would prove a nightmare start to their round.
And then came lap one.
As the field navigated the opening sequence, the THR duo collided spectacularly in the fast left-hander of Turn 3. Teien tangled with Stevens in a shocking incident that left both cars terminally damaged. The team that once dominated the series had taken itself out; on lap one. The incident triggered chaos behind, scattering debris and compromising several midfielders. 'That's both THRs out in Turn 3!' came the stunned call on commentary. Replay footage confirmed Stevens and Teien were the architects of their own downfall, with Stevens trying to overtake his team mate around the outside through the esses, and Teien understeering into him. Stevens would later go on to finish, albeit miles down with substantial damage, whilst Jarl crashed again the following lap with severe suspension damage.
Up front, Meunier had seized the moment. From third on the grid, he jumped both Lehoux and Granqvist just after the leaders reached the pit phase. Timing his stop to perfection, Meunier re-emerged close to the net lead, and got by into turn 1, only for Granqvist to reverse the situation with a great move into turn 1. Meuiner then patiently waited, stalked him for the final 20 laps, and then made an incredibly brave move into turn 1 just a couple of laps from the end. The Frenchman absorbed every ounce of pressure, never flinching despite the defending champion looming large in his mirrors, and took a deserved victory.
Behind them, the battle for the podium was relentless.
Szymon Frelik once again starred for TOP Esports, making bold overtakes on Williams and Martin to secure third place. Williams, ever consistent, brought his Edonis home in fourth, while Martin was forced to settle for fifth after a quiet but tidy drive. Maciej Mlynek gave HRT a morale-boosting sixth place, one of his best results to date.
Further back, the race became one of recovery and damage control. Jukkapekka Lalu climbed from 18th to 11th with a clean drive, while Rait Kilk stole the spotlight with an 18-place charge from 30th to 12th, capitalising on retirements and messy midfield battles.
For others, it was a day to forget. Lehoux tumbled to 13th, Fletcher, Pansar, and both Epic Racing drivers failed to finish, and THR left Suzuka empty-handed, their early-season crisis deepening.
We move to Jeddah, where we will be under the lights. Can Jan return to the top, or will TOP step up and kick Jan off the top step?
Qualifying gave little hint of what was to come. Granqvist took pole once again, but it was clear the field was closing in. Road2Formula's Alex Lehoux and Meunier were within a tenth, while Carlos Martin, Alessandro Maggio and Matthew Williams were all in striking distance. Granqvist, however, seemed to have cut the final chicane on his best qualifying lap so it remains to be seen if he will get a post-race penalty.
But the story of qualifying was less about who topped the charts and more about who didn't - THR were nowhere. Tom Stevens and Jarl Teien lined up 13th and 10th respectively, in what would prove a nightmare start to their round.
And then came lap one.
As the field navigated the opening sequence, the THR duo collided spectacularly in the fast left-hander of Turn 3. Teien tangled with Stevens in a shocking incident that left both cars terminally damaged. The team that once dominated the series had taken itself out; on lap one. The incident triggered chaos behind, scattering debris and compromising several midfielders. 'That's both THRs out in Turn 3!' came the stunned call on commentary. Replay footage confirmed Stevens and Teien were the architects of their own downfall, with Stevens trying to overtake his team mate around the outside through the esses, and Teien understeering into him. Stevens would later go on to finish, albeit miles down with substantial damage, whilst Jarl crashed again the following lap with severe suspension damage.
Up front, Meunier had seized the moment. From third on the grid, he jumped both Lehoux and Granqvist just after the leaders reached the pit phase. Timing his stop to perfection, Meunier re-emerged close to the net lead, and got by into turn 1, only for Granqvist to reverse the situation with a great move into turn 1. Meuiner then patiently waited, stalked him for the final 20 laps, and then made an incredibly brave move into turn 1 just a couple of laps from the end. The Frenchman absorbed every ounce of pressure, never flinching despite the defending champion looming large in his mirrors, and took a deserved victory.
Behind them, the battle for the podium was relentless.
Szymon Frelik once again starred for TOP Esports, making bold overtakes on Williams and Martin to secure third place. Williams, ever consistent, brought his Edonis home in fourth, while Martin was forced to settle for fifth after a quiet but tidy drive. Maciej Mlynek gave HRT a morale-boosting sixth place, one of his best results to date.
Further back, the race became one of recovery and damage control. Jukkapekka Lalu climbed from 18th to 11th with a clean drive, while Rait Kilk stole the spotlight with an 18-place charge from 30th to 12th, capitalising on retirements and messy midfield battles.
For others, it was a day to forget. Lehoux tumbled to 13th, Fletcher, Pansar, and both Epic Racing drivers failed to finish, and THR left Suzuka empty-handed, their early-season crisis deepening.
We move to Jeddah, where we will be under the lights. Can Jan return to the top, or will TOP step up and kick Jan off the top step?
© 2018 GPVWC Simracing Ltd | Privacy Policy