Phoenix PX5
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The Phoenix PX5 was a Formula Virtual racing car designed by Phoenix for use in the 2022 Formula Virtual World Championship, the team’s fifth season in Formula Virtual. The car was the first car designed without Christian Sear, who left his role as Technical Director in the team to start his own team – OSM Racing International. The car was driven by Allar Kangur, Will Taylor and James Thompson.
History
The car was launched in an online launch on Phoenix’s social media on 23rd February 2022. The launch featured quotes from Team Principal Alex Easton, both Allar Kangur and Will Taylor, as well as Gary Haythornthwaite, who took over the role of Technical Director following Christian Sear leaving his role to start his own team – OSM Racing International.
For the second season in a row, the off season was relatively calm for the Mancunian minnows although they did have to entirely change their driver line up after Thierry Xylander was lured away by Franklin – before ending up at Highwind – then Sergio Álvarez was snapped up by Lopez. To replace their familiar duo, Phoenix brought in highly rated Porsche driver Allar Kangur and eVirtual driver Will Taylor who had been so impressive at Jaguar.
Phoenix began the season with a double points finish in Japan – the first time Phoenix had ever finished the opening race of a season with both cars in the points – before a double retirement in Australia brought them back down to earth. However, the pace of the car quickly became apparent in round 3 – Malaysia – where both Kangur and Taylor fought at the very front of the field for the podium places before Kangur suffered a suspension failure with nine laps to go. Taylor, however, held off Downton’s Klaas van Snelheid to finish an incredible second for Phoenix; the team’s best ever result and first ever podium in their 70th V-Prix.
Phoenix peaked at the mid-season mark where they scored four podiums across three races – Germany, Czech Republic, and Turkey. Their fine form across the entire season saw them score points on all but three of their classified finishes, with six retirements hampering them slightly but not enough to prevent the team from finishing a remarkable 3rd in the Constructors’ Championship – behind only Porsche Mathershaw and Downton.
Sponsorship
Phoenix continued their title sponsorship deal with Royal Blondes for a second season which saw the livery featuring the white and burgundy colours of Royal although the classic fluo yellow did return, albeit in a much more reduced capacity than pre-2021. 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.
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 and 2021. Parts suppliers EnviroMat and STOP-Tech appeared once again, with Crown Logistics keeping their place following their addition in 2021. 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 | AUS | MAL | RSA | FRA | GBR | GER | CZE | TUR | UAE | BEL | ITA | CAN | USA | BRA | MEX | Points | WCC |
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2022 | Royal Phoenix Motorsport | Downton MCL-2022 | G | ![]() |
9 | Ret | Ret | 6 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 19 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 214 | 3rd |
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8 | Ret | 2 | 5 | 6 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 4 | Ret | 4 | 7 | Ret | |||||||
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17 |