F1 Esports: Temperature rises in Event 3 as Longuet & Rasmussen take victories

F1 Esports has a reputation for trains of cars unable, or unwilling, to make a pass.

As the Pro Series nears its conclusion though, the drivers put that myth to bed in a thrilling pair of races at Silverstone and Spa to kick off Event 3.

Elbows out for first win

Silverstone's flowing circuit encourages wheel-to-wheel fighting, and the F1 Esports drivers took full advantage of it.

After a disappointing qualifying, Championship leader Jarno Opmeer had to scythe his way through the grid, making some daring overtakes into turn 4.

WINNER WINNER: Longuet has been on the verge of a win all season
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WINNER WINNER: Longuet has been on the verge of a win all season

It was at the front where there was the fiercest battle though. Frederik Rasmussen looked on course for a win after the pitstops before Nicolas Longuet moved his Renault past him down hangar straight.

In search of his maiden win in F1 Esports, Longuet deployed an aggressive defence against Rasmussen, which ended up in the Red Bull driver picking up a time penalty. Longuet crossed the line to claim his first win, with McLaren's Dani Moreno taking second place. Alfa Romeo's Dani Bereznay benefited from time penalties for both Red Bull's to end up third.

Sparks fly in Spa

Red Bull have shown amazing pace and team work all season, and it was no different at Spa.

While Bereznay led early, both the Bulls were able to pass him and push hard on in-laps, resulting in an ideal 1-2 situation for them after the pitstops.

f1 2020 red bull
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TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK: Red Bull have shown amazing team-first strategy this year

Rasmussen led from Marcel Kiefer, who was able to use the leading Bull to defend from the Alfa Romeo.

The leading trio then came under pressure from alternate strategy runners behind as Longuet flew up to P4 and Brendon Leigh made some mega overtakes to get to P5.

It was into the final few corners of the race when sparks really flew though. Bereznay saved his battery masterfully and was able to go full send into the bus stop chicane to snatch second place away from Kiefer, and claim Aramco Driver of the Day.

Monza mayhem?

The third race of Event 3 takes place tonight at the Temple of Speed, Monza.

You can catch the qualifying live on F1's Twitch channel at 3.30pm GMT.

The race coverage starts at 7.30pm GMT on F1's Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube channels.