Phoenix PX6
Phoenix PX6
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The Phoenix PX6 is a Formula Virtual racing car designed by Phoenix for use in the 2023 Formula Virtual World Championship, the team’s sixth season in Formula Virtual. The car was driven by Will Taylor and Ott Eskola.
History
The car was launched in an online launch on Phoenix’s social media on 11th March 2023, hosted by FVTV’s Scott Parkin, three days before pre-season testing. The launch featured Team Principal Alex Easton, race drivers Will Taylor and Ott Eskola, reserve drivers James Thompson and Abel Osterhagen, as well as The Hive members Chloe King, Barney Hoskins, and Zayna Radif.
Heading into the 2023 season, Phoenix stuck with Will Taylor – who’d impressed in his first season – and promoted Ott Eskola from The Hive after winning the 2022 Virtual World Racing Series. James Thompson remained in his reserve driver role but was joined by Abel Osterhagen, who had spent most of his recent years in Virtual Touring Cars and the Virtual Rally Championship.
The car performed well in pre season testing, with experts predicting Phoenix to be the fourth fastest team behind Downton, Ingram and AMR. This proved to be relatively accurate as the season commenced in Adelaide, Australia, with Phoenix finishing 7th and 8th. Poor luck hindered the team over the next couple of races before Ott Eskola brilliantly secured his first podium in Formula Virtual at the South African V-Prix, celebrating Phoenix's special World Bee Day livery in perfect style.
The promo shot of the special World Bee Day 2023 livery.
Sponsorship
Phoenix continued their title sponsorship deal with Royal Blondes for a third season which saw the livery featuring the white and burgundy colours of Royal along with the classic Phoenix fluo yellow. The Royal logo featured prominently on the car once more with the side pods, air box and rear wing showing off the logo, as well as a crown blended into the livery on the engine cover. Wilson Oils also had a large presence to represent the continued partnership between Phoenix and Lucas. Vibrant Boards, Platinum Estate, V Foods, Flame, TMF Advisory and T&T Welding all kept their places on the car. Two new sponsors were featured on the car; Jacksons Barometrics and Beeline.
Phoenix’s badge remained at the forefront of the car’s nose, with The Manchester Bee emblem keeping its place just in front of the cockpit. Downton High Performance Engines’ logo and the McLaren chevron design both remained from previous seasons. Parts suppliers EnviroMat, STOP-Tech, and Crown Logistics appeared once again. Tyre supplier Goodyear also featured on the front wing.
Complete Formula Virtual results
(results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | AUS | MAL | JPN | RSA | UAE | FRA | GBR | GER | BEL | ITA | TUR | CAN | USA | MEX | ARG | BRA | Points | WCC |
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2023 | Royal Phoenix Motorsport | Downton MCL-2023 | G | Will Taylor | 7 | Ret | 10 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 9 | 13 | Ret | 21 | 129 | 6th |
Ott Eskola | 8 | 14 | Ret | 3 | 5 | 9 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 7 | Ret | Ret |