Phoenix PX4
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The Phoenix PX4 was a Formula Virtual racing car designed by Phoenix for use in the 2021 Formula Virtual World Championship, the team’s fourth season in Formula Virtual. The PX4 was Phoenix’s first car with Royal Blondes as the title sponsor, following Phoenix’s split with XXX Energy. The car was driven by Sergio Álvarez, Thierry Xylander, James Thompson and Dominic Hanson.
History
The car was launched at Oulton Park on 14th February 2021 along with the announcement of Royal Blondes as the new title sponsor following the split from XXX Energy. Alex Easton and Terry McCarroll hosted the event which featured a short video message was played with Royal Blondes CEO Jean-Claude Chazelas talking about the new title sponsorship deal. Following the launch, reserve driver James Thompson took the car around the circuit to show off the new livery.
For the first time in their history, Phoenix had endured a relatively calm winter; the financial security provided by Wilson Oils and now Royal Blondes paying dividends. However, Alex Easton made it clear from the beginning that the team had not taken any gambles with the new regulations and had instead opted to play it safe with a very basic design to begin with in 2021.
This was evident at the first two races as Phoenix looked to be in danger of dropping into Q1 after two poor races, the first of which saw 32-year-old Dominic Hanson make his Formula Virtual debut after a series of shenanigans meant usual reserve driver Thompson was unable to replace the injured Thierry Xylander. A slightly chaotic Australian V-Prix saw the Belgian finish a brilliant seventh which saved Phoenix from Q1 but, other than an eighth place in Spain, the first half of the season provided little to shout about for the British team.
However, as had become standard for Phoenix in their time in Formula Virtual, the improvement in the second half of the season was incredible. Xylander stunned the paddock by putting his Phoenix on pole in a damp German V-Prix qualifying session and, although he retired from the race, it marked the beginning of Phoenix being able to challenge for points regularly in the final nine races. Phoenix finished the season on 31 points, consolidating their position from the previous season, boasting a fastest lap courtesy of Sergio Alvarez at the Mexican V-Prix.
Sponsorship
The title sponsorship deal with Royal Blondes saw the livery take on an entirely new look for 2021; the iconic fluo yellow disappearing and instead featuring the white and burgundy colours of Royal. The Royal logo featured prominently on the car 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.
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 2020. Parts suppliers EnviroMat and STOP-Tech appeared once again, with Crown Logistics being shown on a Phoenix livery for the first time. 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 | UAE | TUR | BEL | ITA | CAN | USA | MEX | BRA | Points | WCC |
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2021 | Royal Phoenix Motorsport | Downton MCL-2021 | G | ![]() |
14 | 17 | 12 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 13 | Ret | 10 | 13 | 17 | 11 | 31 | 9th | |
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WD | |||||||||||||||||||||
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26 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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16 | 7 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | Ret | 4 | 17 | 19 | 11 | 12 | 9 | 20 | 25 |