V10 R-League Quarter-Final Preview: BMW vs YAS Heat

The playoffs are here in the V10 R-League, and the pressure is ramping up.

After five weeks of battling, the field of 10 teams has been trimmed down to 6, and all have their sights set on the lions share of that £120,000 prize fund.

The first playoff match sees BMW face off against YAS Heat. Who will be able to advance?

Siggy vs the world?

BMW had seemed certain to finish top of Group B and get a bye straight to the Semi-Final, but then a 4-0 loss to McLaren Shadow saw them drop to second.

BMW has been reliant on their star man Kevin Siggy getting to the front of the field and controling the pace. When he wasn't able to against McLaren things fell apart. Will he get some more help from Michael Romanidis and Alen Terzic in the playoffs?

He will need it, because the YAS Heat lineup is no push over.

Upsetting the order

YAS Heat wasn't expected to get out of Group A, but a new driver lineup and a relentless pace has seen them push their way through at the expense of Red Bull. Can they keep causing an upset?

It's certainly a possibility. Week after week Simon Weigang, Cedric Thome, and Manuel Biancolilla have looked more and more comfortable behind the wheel of the V10 beast.

They are a strong trio and if any one of them gets to the front they can keep BMW at arms length. There is every chance of an upset here.

Prediction

Track selection will come into play in this one. BMW has shown an afinity for racing at Silverstone, while YAS has mostly stuck to the Italian tracks of Mugello and Monza.

It will be interesting to see if YAS bans Silverstone and in turn BMW knocks out one of those Italian tracks. Forcing either team onto relatively unfamiliar ground could be a huge advantage.

Siggy and Romanidis will need to be on top form to keep YAS Heat behind, and Terzic will have to up his game to make sure they don't get jumped in the clear air of the relay race.

This match could be the closest of the whole playoffs.

Prediction: BMW 3-1 YAS Heat

How to watch

Fans in the UK & Ireland can watch the match on Tuesday 18 May on BT Sport 3 at 8pm BST.

Those in the USA can watch the same day on ESPN3 at 6pm EST.

Thanks to their expanded coverage, ESPN subscribers in the Netherlands, the Caribbean, Canada, Latin America, and Oceania will be able to watch the match the following day.

Check local listings for exact times!