It was a thrilling sim racing weekend at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Thursday evening featured another round of the DHZ F125 Racing League, delivering plenty of action, drama, and ultimately a well-earned podium finish for Vans.
Qualifying 1 – Setting the Pace
The first qualifying session got off to a strong start, with Vans putting his Sauber in an impressive fifth position on the grid. But Spa wouldn’t be Spa without a bit of drama. In the opening lap, Vans was hit from behind, causing him to lose control and drop back to 14th place.
What followed was an impressive recovery drive. With bold overtakes through Eau Rouge, Les Combes, and Blanchimont, he carved his way back through the field. Despite carrying floor damage for most of the race, Vans managed to fight his way back to an 11th-place finish.
Qualifying 2 – The Comeback
Determined to make up for the earlier setback, Vans delivered a superb fourth-fastest lap in the second qualifying session. His Sauber was perfectly dialed in for Spa’s long straights and challenging high-speed corners.
When the lights went out for the feature race, Vans launched brilliantly off the line. Within the opening lap, he had already climbed into P2. The race soon developed into a strategic battle as dark clouds gathered overhead and the first drops of rain began to fall.
A Strategic Gamble in the Rain
On lap ten, Vans made a bold call. While the rain was still uncertain, he headed into the pits early and switched to intermediate tyres. A masterstroke or a costly gamble?
The answer unfolded slowly. The rain never fully arrived, the track began drying again, and the intermediate tyres wore out much faster than expected.
Yet Vans remained remarkably composed. With precision and consistency, he kept the car on the limit while carefully managing his tyres. As rivals struggled with grip and tyre degradation, Vans maintained his pace and stayed in contention.
After an intense closing phase, he brought his Sauber home in a magnificent third place, securing his first podium finish of the season.
Championship Update
Thanks to this outstanding result, Vans moves up to third place in the overall championship standings.
Looking Ahead: Reversed Zandvoort
The next challenge is already on the horizon: Zandvoort Reversed.
Running the iconic Dutch circuit in the opposite direction creates an entirely new challenge, with different braking points, unfamiliar racing lines, and virtually no room for error. If his recent form is anything to go by, Vans could be in for another surprise result.
Stay tuned!