Phoenix PX3
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The Phoenix PX3 was a Formula Virtual racing car designed by Phoenix for use in the 2020 Formula Virtual World Championship, the team’s third season in Formula Virtual and their first following the departure of DS Automobiles from the sport. The car was driven by Sergio Álvarez and Thierry Xylander, with reserve driver James Thompson standing in for Xylander at the 2020 Brazilian V-Prix.
History
Production of the PX3 was heavily interrupted following DS Automobiles pulling out of Formula Virtual towards the end of the 2019 season, causing Phoenix to lose almost all of their sponsors and enter administration. It looked for some time as though the PX3 would never see the light of day, with many gloomy days over the winter break for the Mancunian team which looked almost certain to close it's doors for good. However, the team were eventually saved by British oil tycoon Lucas Wilson, whose team entered into a technical partnership with Phoenix as the two teams joined forces under the Downton High Performance Engines Group.
Following many months of tribulations, the livery for the 2020 car was eventually launched at the Oulton Park circuit on March 11th after Phoenix agreed a deal for the circuit to become the team’s unofficial test track, however the actual PX3 was not unveiled until pre-season testing. Therefore, the PX2 was used for the promotional event and was wheeled out of the garage as some livery launch pictures were taken, before reserve driver James Thompson took the car around the circuit to show off the new livery.
A slightly mixed up opening race in Japan provided the perfect opportunity for Sergio Alvarez to snatch four points, however it was clear that the car was noncompetitive. A drought of six races without a point followed before a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season saw Phoenix score 25 points over the next four races before a couple more good results before the end of the season left the team in 9th place with 37 points.
Sponsorship
XXX Energy came in as Phoenix's new title sponsor and featured heavily on the car with their logo on the front and rear wings, monocoque, engine cover, and barge boards. Wilson Oils were also heavily represented; the company's signature purple colour incorporated onto the engine cover and logo in various positions on the car, as well as the sidepods of the PX3 proudly showing off Wilson Oils' green fuel brand - Wilson Oils EcoPlus. Vibrant Boards kept the place held on the engine cover by Vitafoam following the company's name change. Other new sponsors included; hotel chain Platinum Estate, food producer V Foods, lighter manufacturer Flame, financial advice company TMF Advisory (owned by Phoenix's Head of Sponsorship & PR, Terry McCarroll), James Thompson's welding company T&T Welding, and local taxi service PH03NIX Cars.
The Phoenix Motorsport badge remained in its usual place and The Manchester Bee emblem remained in front of the cockpit. Downton High Performance Engines' logo appeared along with a nod to McLaren's iconic chevron on the sidepod. Parts suppliers EnviroMat and STOP-Tech also appeared on the car. 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 | JPN | MAL | AUS | RSA | GBR | FRA | ESP | GER | USA | CAN | BHR | TUR | BEL | ITA | MEX | BRA | Points | WCC |
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2020 | XXX Energy Phoenix Motorsport | Downton MCL-2020 | G | ![]() |
8 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | Ret | 13 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 8 | Ret | 8 | Ret | 13 | 9 | 37 | 9th |
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11 | Ret | 16 | 14 | Ret | Ret | 19 | 15 | Ret | 10 | 11 | 13 | Ret | 9 | 17 | |||||||
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22 |