Alfa Romeo

**Alfa Romeo-Ferrari**

## Season Results

Complete Formula One results for Alfa Romeo (UniONE CAREER results only).

### **2019 (UniONE CAREER S6)**

Alfa Romeo return to the F1 grid for the first time since 1985 as a Constructor, following a merge with what was previously the Sauber team. With this merge comes the car that Sauber would have competed with for 2019. Despite the 2018 Sauber C37 being one of the most successful cars the team produced, the what would've been C38 features an all new radical front wing design. The design incorporates almost the same nose structure as the McLaren, and the same wing design from the Ferrari albeit much shorter leaving a lot of open space before the end of the wing. This such design had everyone in the paddock asking if Sauber got it very right or very wrong with this design.

The livery for the newly named AR/19 has been designed to reflect the past and the present. The bottom black half is to represent Sauber's debut livery from 1993, with the upper half showing the new identity of the team.

Tirowee would crash his main car during FP3 at Australia, and would start from last in the T-car. A spirited drive, with some good fortune, would see the Brit climb to 10th in the race, to score points on Alfa Romeo's return to F1. Tirowee would take another 11th place finish in round 2.  A wonder strategy from Alfa Romeo at Azerbaijan saw Tirowee claim the bonus point for fastest lap. The 2016 Champion started on a set of Mediums, and managed to make them last for 16/26 laps. Pitting for Softs a lap later, Tirowee put on a late race charge.

Tirowee managed his first legitimate top 10 start in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. Making the most of an undercut at the first stop, he managed to jump a number of the front running cars. An inspired drive from the 2016 Champion would see him passing much faster cars on track, to finish the race in second place, taking the fastest lap in the process. In only 6 races, Alfa Romeo had their first podium, racing what would've been the 2019 Sauber car.

Tirowee and Giovinazzi would have a spectacular incident at the Russian Grand Prix. The two would make contact at 200mph down the back straight. However, Tirowee would make the pass stick on the Italian into the next corner. Both drivers suffered no damage from this coming together. A return to reality was on the cards for Tirowee at the Spanish Grand Prix. The Brit retiring in the pits due to MGU-K failure mid way through the race. Giovinazzi would finally score his first points of 2019 in the same race, holding up faster cars that had to make one extra stop. Despite losing MGU-K on the final lap also, Giovinazzi only lost one place and finished 10th.

Starting 12th for the French Grand Prix, Tirowee was expecting a top 8 finish at best. Starting on the Medium compound tyres, he and the rest of the drivers were able to run longer into the race than those forced to start on the Softs in the top 10. Around the halfway stage of the race, heavy cloud cover filled the skies above. all the drivers that started on the Mediums made their one and only stop as normal, however Alfa Romeo chose to leave both drivers out longer in hopes the rain would come. A lap later, the team played safe and pitted Giovinazzi onto the Hard tyres. Only a few laps later the rain that only Alfa Romeo were convinced would arrive did. Tirowee made a stop from the lead for Intermediates, followed shortly behind by the rest of the grid. Tirowee would come under heavy fire from the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and Mercedes of George Russell with only a few laps remaining. Tirowee's advantage was the straight like speed of his AR/19 car. Even though all the team adjusted the front wing angle of the cars at the stop, the Alfa Romeo car would always be faster in a straight line due to having less downforce, therefore less drag. The 2016 Driver's Champion was able to hold on to take a historical race victory by 0.066 seconds from Verstappen. The Dutchman later received a 5 second time penalty, promoting Russell to second and Sebastian Vettel to third.

Tirowee would take victory on home soil for Alfa Romeo. Starting 4th for the Italian Grand Prix, the Brit dropped back to 7th in the early laps, but once the tyres came into working range, he maximized the straight line speed of the AR/19 to overtake all the usual front runners. Hamilton in the Toyota lead the race, but was massively under fueled, so was forced to back off and forfeit the lead to the Alfa Romeo. Tirowee lead home the Ferraris of Leclerc and Vettel for an all Italian team and engine podium. Giovinazzi picked up a point for 12th place.

In the week leading up to the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alfa Romeo announced that Govinazzi was to be dropped due to continued poor performances. He was replaced with Kevin Magnussen, who was originally contracted to be at the team for the 2020 season. Magnussen would prove his worth finishing his debut race for the team in 11th.

Magnussen's breakthrough race would come at the next race at Monaco. The Dane qualified second, making the most of the mixed conditions. A perfect start gave him the lead into turn one. Magnussen lead until his first pit stop. He re-joined the track behind team mate Josh Tirowee. Under instruction from Alfa Romeo, Magnussen was allowed through. Once all the cars in front had pitted, Magnussen and Tirowee ran first and second. Playing the defensive role, Tirowee helped Magnussen build up a lead of over 7 seconds. Once Tirowee pitted, the pack of cars behind were unable to catch Magnussen. The Dane crossed the line 5 seconds ahead of Daniil Kvyat's Mercedes to take his first victory in F1. Tirowee finished a respectable 8th after starting 19th.

The season was ended early. The final four races were cancelled, securing Alfa Romeo 6th place in the Championship, with 148 points. An improvement on the then Sauber team's points tally from 2018 of 132.

### **2020 (Season 7)**

The feel good team of 2019 Alfa Romeo will once again be looking to cause an upset among the top teams. Throughout the later stages of the 2019 season, Alfa Romeo looked to have one of the best cars on the grid, winning three races, with the win at home in Monza being on outright pace of the car with its low drag setup. The team have come out and said though that the car for 2020 is more like a B-spec car of their 2019 challenger. As when the 2021 regulation changes were announced, everyone noticed that the front wing of the new car resembled much of what Alfa Romeo had as their 2019 wing. Not wanting to reveal any more of their design, the team will limit its aero upgrades for 2020, and isn't concerned if the team doesn't fair as well in 2020.

Tirowee took Alfa Romeo's first pole position since their F1 return at the Spanish Grand Prix, round 5. Tirowee finished third in the race. The next race at Monaco, Tirowee would take the win after starting second, and using slower cars after the first round of leader pit stops to pass the Renault of Nico Hulkenberg. Consistent points finishes in the opening 6 rounds left Magnussen 11th in the Championship standings. Tirowee would take another opportune win at the next race, the French Grand Prix. Running long on the opening stint, a Safety Car was deployed for the retirement of Daniil Kvyat. Pitting under the Safety Car, Tirowee came out in the lead on Soft tyres. With many of the front running cars back in the pack behind slower cars, Tirowee was able to build enough pf a gap to nurse the car and very worn tyres by race end home. Tirowee was in contention for a podium at the Italian Grand Prix, but pushing every lap to keep the faster Toyota of Matsushita behind, his tyres reached the cliff on the final lap. Running wide at turn 2, Tirowee ran off the track, and made contact with the Japanese driver whilst mid-spin. The Brit managed to finish in 5th. Kevin Magnussen took his first podium for the team, finishing in second.

Tirowee won the Austrian Grand Prix, coming from fourth in the final laps. The battling Verstappen, and the Toyotas of Hamilton and Matsushita held each other up to such an extent, that Tirowee was able to make a dive past the three of them into turn 3 on the penultimate lap.

Tirowee would then go on to win the next race, his home race at Silverstone. A majority wet race, Tirowee had an early incident with the AlphaTauri of Sergio Sette Camara. Whilst most divers made an early stop for a new set of Intermediate tyres, Alfa Romeo decided to keep Tirowee out on a no-stop strategy - legal in wet races. This gave Tirowee a lead of over 10 seconds, which despite Hamilton closing by seconds a lap towards the end, Tirowee's tyres held on just enough for the Brit to take his first win on home soil.

Alfa Romeo locked out the front row for the Belgian Grand Prix. A controlled drive from Kevin Magnussen and Josh Tirowee saw them trade fastest lap after fastest lap. The Dane eventually lead home the first Alfa Romeo 1-2 finish since 1951. Tirowee took a Grand Slam at the Russian Grand Pirx - pole, race win and fastest lap. Tirowee built late Championship momentum, finishing third at China, in a race Lewis Hamilton retired from, and then went on to win the next race in Azerbaijan. Tirowee continued his winning ways at the Singapore Grand Prix, bringing Hamilton's Championship lead down to 9 points. Tirowee again at in a winning display at Azerbaijan, to go with the 3 points for pole, and the point for fastest lap. At Australia, Tirowee finished second, with Hamilton in fifth.

Heading into the final race at Japan, Tirowee was one point behind Hamilton. After qualifying, they were equal, as Tirowee took a point for third. In the early laps Tirowee was ahead of Hamilton, until the 2008 Champion made a daring move through 130R to move into a title winning position. A few laps later, Hamilton was caught up behind the Renault on Nico Hulkenberg, Tirowee used this opportunity to repass Hamilton into 130R. Both headed for the pits on that lap. Alfa Romeo put Tirowee on a set of Mediums to go to the ends, whilst Totoyta put Hamilton on a set of Hards. This ultimately proved to be the wrong decision from Toyota, as Hamilton struggled for pace on the white-walled tyres. To hammer it home, Sebastian Vettel in his final outing made a move on Hamilton into turn 1, it wasn't clean and Hamilton suffered substantial damage to his TRD120, but opted to run to the end of the race, as the car was structurally safe to do so. To compound his and Toyota's misery further, Max Verstappen in his Honda powered Red Bull lapped Hamilton on the final lap on his way to a dominant lights to flag victory. Tirowee never lead the Championship at any point during the season, until the completion of the final race, marking the Brit as a two-time World Driver's Champion.

### **2021 (Season 8)**

Fellow Ferrari engine users Alfa Romeo look to build of a 2020 campaign which by even their own admission blew away their expectations. Despite lacking overall downforce, the car had exceptional balance, and was very easy to set up. The AR/21 car is more evolution than revolution, working on the strengths of last year's car, and improved downforce to be competitive on all circuits that don't favour their driver's driving styles. Alfa Romeo will once again look to use the straight line speed from the Ferrari Power Unit to give an added boost to their on track performances.

Following on from the team's monumental success from 2020, which saw Alfa Romeo take a 1-2 finish for the first time since 1950, and the Driver's title for the first time since 1950 and 1951. It's no wonder they keep on 2 time and defending Champion driver Josh Tirowee, and the feisty, Kevin Magnussen for 2020, with the aims of more regular wins, double podiums but most of all, to defend their Championship.

Alfa Romeo looked to have one of the fastest cars in the opening race. Magnussen and Tirowee recording the fastest straight line speeds all race weekend. An alternate strategy for Tirowee left the defending Champion in contention for victory, but last lap contact with the Aston Martin of Sergio Perez left the Brit settling for second. Magnussen backed up the Italian-Swiss outfits early pace finishing fourth. Magnussen was on for another top 5 at USA, but a front wing failure forced the Dane to pit at the same time as Tirowee. Magnussen managed to finish the race, but only in 15th. Tirowee finished fourth with the fastest lap. Magnussen was left to fly the flag for Alfa Romeo in round 3 at Mexico, as Tirowee had to put at the end of the first lap after Norris made contact with the defending Champion. Magnussen finished 4th, with Tirowee recovering to 12th.

Alfa Romeo arrived at the Brazilian Grand Prix with a new black livery, with aims to to further boost F1's 'We Race As One' initiative. Tirowee put the now black AR/21 on pole. Despite losing the lead on the opening lap, an alternate strategy from Alfa Romeo saw the 2-time Champion close down the Renault and retake the lead, going on to take the team's first win of the season.

Magnussen was dominant over the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, taking an easy pole, and dominating the race until his Ferrari engine failed mid-race. Tirowee managed to finish 3rd in the remaining AR/21. The 2-time Champion made a statement at the Spanish Grand Prix. Home favourite Fernando Alonso retired mid-race, Tirowee went on to take the all important race win, along with the fastest lap.

Tirowee was involved in a high-profile incident during the Monaco Grand Prix. The defending Champion was pitted into Lewis Hamilton by Fernando Alonso before the former's ended up in the Sainte-Devote escape road. Both made it back to the pits for repairs but their races were all but finished.

Tirowee bounced back and took victory at the French Grand Prix, passing Verstappen and Norris in the closing laps, and also taking the point for fastest lap. Magnussen put on an overtaking masterclass, but could only manage a 6th place finish after running in a net second position early on.

The two-time Champion was on form one again at the Italian Grand Prix. Embroiled in a race-long battle with Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly, the three cars were separated by less than half a second at the line, with Tirowee finishing at the front of the pack.

##### **Ferrari Engine Controversy**

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, some technical regulations related to the engine were clarified. It was suspected that Ferrari had been buring oil as fuel in between the readings taken by the sensors. This would give a momentary but persistent power boost, and can attribute to the increadible straight line speeds shown. The FIA reached a private agreement with Ferrari, but it was clear from FP1 at the Red Bull Ring that the Scuderia, and customers Alfa Romeo were significantly slower through the speed trap.

This would have further repercussions on Alfa Romeo, as the Italain Outfit was forced to explore new development paths with their chassis and aerodynamics. These upgrades would in turn take numerous weeks to develop and divert focus from the development of their 2022 challenger.

The shortened season brought title glory for Alfa Romeo. Kevin Magnussen won the Belgian Grand Prix, securing Alfa Romeo their first Constructor's Championship.

### **2022 (Season 9)**

Alfa Romeo come into testing on the back foot. The mid season Ferrari engine nerf forced the Italian outfit to focus more resources in chassis and aero development that expected, leaving less time to focus on 2022. At times both cars were struggling to make it into the top 10 on one lap pace, but showed encouraging consistency on long run pace. Alfa Romeo have taken a similar approach to their 2018 and 2019 campaigns and look to have maxamised straight line speed, and also looked to have negated significant purposing.

Josh Tirowee remains at the team he put so much faith in back in 2019, despite recent hardships. Partnering the two-time Champion will be the first Chinese driver to race in F1, Zhou Ganyu. The former Renault Academy graduate cut ties with the French marke, and brought with him over £30M in sponsorship. Many were left puzzled why the team would drop Kevin Magnussen in favour of someone who finished mid table in F2 last season. The official reasoning given was the ever growing on track tension between both drivers would only harm their chances of defending their Constructor's title, and once again cost both drivers a shot at Championship glory.

There's growing speculation of an imminent buyout of the team from Andretti. Sauber have proven they can be a Championship force on a budget, but still lack that little bit extra to maintain an advantage in the development race. An Andretti cash boost could see them land an off-the-shelf championship contending car. Colton Herta is also linked with a move to the team if the buyout goes ahead, the former Haas-BMW and IndyCar ace might appear in a few FP1 sessions throughout the coming season.

Both cars qualified inside the top 10 in the opening race. Tirowee was involved in a race-long battle with the Red Bull of Sergio Perez. Zhou ran in 7th for much of the race, before retiring four laps from the end.

Tirowee held the lead onto lap 23 of the Australian Grand Prix (Round 3), when Albon launched an attack. The two battled though the first sector. Albon pulled ahead out of turn 5, but had a compromised corner exit. Tirowee tried to switch-back, but made contact with Ticktum, who was trying to follow through Albon. A high speed impact took both out of contention for points, but both were able to continue. The Safety Car was redeployed so debris could be cleared. Albon once again held the lead on the second restart ahead of Alonso and Max Verstappen. Tirowee made up places, now on Softs on the final two laps to scrape 2 points for 11th. Zhou retired on lap 8 with his third Power Unit failure in three races.

Alfa Romeo brought a further cooling package for the Bahrain Grand Prix. This finally appears to have done the trick, as Zhou Guanyu finally saw the checkered flag, finishing in 6th.

Round 5 - Zhou Guanyu became the first Chinese driver to top a session in FP3.

For the first time, the Singapore Grand Prix began in wet conditions. Leclerc held the lead into turn 1, as chaos ensued behind. Sergio Perez hit the back of Tirowee's Alfa Romeo and lost his front wing.

At the end of lap 5, it was time to pit for dry tyres. There was a mix of Soft and Medium compounds at play. Leclerc still held the lead, ahead of Verstappen and Zhou. On lap 12, Zhou's Soft tyres were starting to go off, and he made way for Tirowee, on Mediums, to move into third. At the end of the lap he, and most other Soft runners pit. This lead Tirowee in the lead, ahead of George Russell and Lando Norris. The McLaren couldn't hold onto third place, as Leclerc and Verstappen swarmed the McLaren.

Russell pit on lap 17, and undercut Tirowee who pit three laps later. A crucial move as the rain returned. Four laps later, some drivers pit for Inters, but others came in for new Softs, believing the rain would pass. This would prove to be a grave error in judgement, as at the end of the lap all those on Softs came back into the pits for Intermediates.

On lap 28 Tirowee now held the lead, but Russell had his tyres fired up, and in a battle through sector 2, the Mercedes stole the lead. Contesting his fourth season in F1, Russell was still searching for his first race win. His wait would continue as he locked up into turn 1 on lap 29, and Tirowee retook the lead, both lapping last place Esteban Ocon during the exchange.

Tirowee held the lead for the remainder of the race (+ FL), finishing four seconds clear of Russell.

Azerbaijan was one of the team's most difficult races since 2019. Tirowee suffered early ERS failure and dropped back. By lap 9, only four cars were behind him. Lap 14/26 Alfa Romeo finally remedied Tirowees's ERS issue, and the two-time Champion passed Mick Schumacher's McLaren. Two retirements on lap 20. First Gasly parks down an escape road in Sector 2. Sergio Sette Camara suffered a full shutdown and lost his breaks in Sector 3, and couldn't avoid plowing into the barrier. This brought out the Safety Car. With nothing to lose, Alfa Romeo pitted Tirowee for Softs.

Zhou claimed his first podium at the Italian Grand Prix. The Chinese driver had multiple stint in the lead, contending with Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen. Zhou ultimately finished third, only half a second behind the race winning Alpine. It was a different affair for Tirowee. The Brit sustained floor damage at the start from the Williams of Dan Ticktum. This greatly unbalanced his AR/22. It wasn't until the closing laps the two-time Champion moved into the top 12, where he would finish.

Alfa Romeo brought upgrades for the Dutch Grand Prix. Tirowee and Zhou locked out the front row. Tirowee started on Hards, where as Zhou, and most of the field, opted for Mediums. Lap 3, Zhou and Verstappen passed Tirowee into turn 1. Zhou built up a lead, as Tirowee kept Verstappen in sight. Tirowee repassed Verstappen on lap 13, as the Dutchman locked up into turn 1. One lap later, Zhou span at the same corner and dropped to the lower reaches of the top 10.

The start of lap 15 would result in the scariest incident of the season. Verstappen dived up the inside of Tirowee into turn 1 from too far back. The Dutchman hit Tirowee's rear wheels, rotating the AR/22. Verstappen then launched the RB18 over the top of the Alfa Romeo. The back of the Red Bull landing hard on the halo of the Alfa Romeo, no dount the halo saved Tirowee's life. Both cars unbelievably were able to continue.

Zhou went on a late charge, first passing Esteban Ocon for third, and then Charles Leclerc for second. The Chinese ran out of laps to catch Fernado Alonso. Tirowee nursed his car to the line in 7th, fittingly ahead of Verstappen in 8th.

Alfa Romeo's second home race, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix did not go as planned. Zhou wiped out mid way through the race. Albon and Tirowee came to blows on lap 23. The Thai-Brit went for a closing gap and turned the Alfa Romeo. Tirowee escaped major damage, but Albon had to box for a new front wing. The damage to Tirowee's AR/22 didn't do much to slow him down, as he found his way past both Toyotas before the end of the race.

Tirowee fought back at the Austrian Grand Prix to take Alfa Romeo's 27th victory. The Brit started on pole, and began to edge clear of team mate Zhou. Verstappen began to make progress following a bad start. On lap 25/36, Verstappen launched his first assault on Tirowee for the lead. Tirowee was swarmed, but not easily overwhelmed. Two laps later, it was all over for the Dutchman, pulling off at the final corner. Tirowee pit under the resulting Safety Car, his battle with Verstappen forced the Brit to use his tyres harder than planned, and Wehrlein behind was starting to catch. Tirowee rejoined in 5th, but on fresh Softs.

Wehrlein lead back to green ahead of Leclerc, Hamilton, Zhou and Tirowee. Alfa Romeo called for team orders, and Zhou quickly moved out of the way of the two-time Champion. Tirowee wasted no time catching and passing Hamilton and Leclerc. Wehrlein was more of a challenge to pass. The German fighting for victory, and his future in the sport. Tirowee passed on lap 34, but Wehrlein passed back immediately down the start/finish straight. It was only a matter of time, and Tirowee made the pass and made it stick. Tirowee took victory ahead of Wehrlein and Leclerc.

Tirowee and Verstappen had a legendary battle at the British Grand Prix. The Dutchman lead away from the Alfa Romeos at the end of lap 1. Verstappen and Tirowee entered a race of their own, pulling clear of Zhou and the pack behind. Verstappen held off an undercut attempt from the Brit, however the RB19 was less suited to the Hards than the Alfa Romeo. Tirowee used the Ferrari power to take the lead on lap 15/26. Tirowee began to pull out a small margin. The advantage turned back in Verstappen's favour on lap 24. The Red Bull driver kept his tyres in better condition. The lead changed and chanced back again on lap 25. Verstappen with one last push made a decisive move into turn 1 to take the lead for good.

During Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix, Zhou Guanyu exited the pits right into the path of Sergio Perez on his last run in Q3. The session wasn't restarted. The Sergio Perez/Zhou Guanyu crash secured pole for Verstappen on his first time. Zhou recieved a 5 place penalty and started from 9th. The Chinese driver made up positions during the race, climbing up to 5th, but couldn't quite catch Esteban Ocon. Backing up Tirowee who finished 2nd, Alfa Romeo remained in the Constructor's fight.

### **2023 (Season 10)**

Recent front running force Alfa Romeo enter their final season. The Sauber run team have an agreement in place with Audi for 2026. The German auto giants have already purchased a 25% stake in the team. Alfa Romeo again seem to have a strong package to start the season, with a larger setup window to eliminate the early issues from last season.

With the team emerging as one of the most consistent front running teams in recent years, and with Audi influence, 2019 Champion Mick Schumacher aims to rejuvenate his career after an underwhelming 2022 campaign with McLaren. Similar to when his Uncle Ralf moved to Williams in 1999, Mick's move is to familiarize himself wit the team environment ahead of the Audi works project.

Zhou Guanyu was the breakout star of 2022. The Chinese driver was very unlucky to suffer three engine failures in the first three races. From there he slowly built his confidence, and by the end of the season was on par with Josh Tirowee. Two race wins could've gone his way. He'll be going for his first in Canada.

Robert Kubica also departs from the team, as do his sponsor Orlen.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Schumacher started on Softs for a two-stop strategy, whilst the rest of the field started on Mediums for a planed one-stop. Tirowee started to drop back on the Las Vegas strop from lap 3, as his RB19 was suffering from ERS deployment problems. Both Ferraris, Schumacher, Vergne and Alonso demoted the Brit down the order. Schumacher made his first of 2 stops at the end of lap 7 for Mediums. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Verstappen lead from Hamilton, Alonso, Russell and Leclerc. The Safety Car ruined Albon's and Schumacher's strategy, but they were both on Mediums compared to Hards for the other 18 drivers. Schumacher bought his AR/23 home for a 7th place finish, with Zhou behind in 8th.

Schumacher lined up on pole for the Japanese Grand Prix the first time since USA (COTA) 2021. Schumacher held the lead. A dive from Zhou into turn 1 forced both Red Bulls off the track, but both continued down a few positions. Zhou couldn't maintain his early offensive, as was passed by Hamilton and Tirowee on laps 2 and 3. The Chinese driver continued to fall down through the top 10 as the first stint unfolded. Verstapen made a comitted move on the Alfa Romeo through 130R on lap 7. Hamilton challenged the lead Alfa Romeo on lap 8, but lot the position back the the German as quickly as he gained it. A routine lightning stop for Red Bull advanced the Dutchman ahead of Hamilton. Race leader Schumacher pitted on the next lap, and narrowly maintained the net lead over Verstappen. Tirowee and the Aston Martins went long in anticipation for the weather. Tirowee conceded defeat at the end of lap 14, and rejoiined behind his team mate and Hamilton. Verstappen look the net lead on lap 15, as Alonso and Stroll lead 1-2. Stroll pitted on lap 15 and Alonso on lap 16 for dry tyres. Verstappen took his third win from three races. Schumacher kept the Dutchman honest less than four second back to take his first podium since Austria 2021. Zhou quietly went about his business to complete the podium.

Schumacher took his first win since 2019 at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Qualifying runs took place in FP3 as the rest of Saturday was also expected to be wet. Tirowee gave the other 19 drivers something to think about by risking a lap on Inters to top the pile from Schumacher and Verstappen on Wets. The top three from FP3 lined up in the same order on the grid. he second Wildcard race of the season delivers points for every position, and battles for every place. Tirowee held the lead off the start, whilst Verstappen made it a Red Bull 1-2. Schumacher found his way past Verstappen and on lap 12/32 the German made a move for the lead. Schumacher found his way past Verstappen and on lap 12/32 the German made a move for the lead. Verstappen showed his hand on the final lap, but Schumacher had put last season behind him and reminded everyone why he's a World Champion to block the Dutchman's offensive. Schumacher kept it together for the rest of the final tour to claim his first win since 2019. Almost 20 years ago, his father Micheal won here for an Italian team with Ferrari power. Alfa Romeo became the nearest challengers to red Bull once again but lost further ground to the Austrian outfit.

It was an extremely wet start to qualifying for the Canadian Grand Prix, but the sky was brightening up. Four big names were caught out in the transition from Wets to Inters at the end of Q1. The track was drying rapidly throughout Q2, but Inters was still the way to go. The track was just about dry enough at the end of Q3 for Softs, with last over the line having the best track conditions. Schumacher secured another top 3 start, with Zhou 6th. Changeable conditions returned for the race. All 20 drivers survived the opening lap without damage. The red flag was out on lap 5, as Carlos Sainz's day ended early, and Liam Lawson collected the Ferrari in the process. By the time the AlphaTauri and Ferrari had been cleared away, the sun was out and the track was dry. 7/18 remaining drivers were on Drys. Toyota made a catastrophic error and fitted the Brazilian's TRD123 with Inters. Sette Camara's excellent qualifying and opening laps had been wasted. To add to the restart chaos, Zhou's Alfa Romeo experienced a clutch issue and the Chinese pulled off at turn 1. The skies began to darken once more by lap 18. Schumacher brought out a second red flag on lap 29, when the German had an identical crash to Sainz. It wasn't the impact the 2019 Champion needed to make with Tirowee down the order.

## Racing Record (UniONE CAREER Results Only)

Results in **bold** indicate Championships won.