Yesterday, Saturday September 9, 2023, was held THE GP Explorer 2a Formula 4 race on the circuit Bugatti du Mans, once again organized by Squeezie and broadcast on Twitch. The first edition had set the bar very high, with an organization and an execution that would make anyone pale in comparison. Japanese F1 Grand Prix 2022 which was held at the same time. But for this second GP between content creators on the Internet, Squeezie knew how to do even better.
The day had started early, at 8:00 a.m., with the arrival of the drivers on the circuit, and free practice to make the final adjustments, before qualifying at the start of the afternoon. Like last year, It is Depielo (Alpine Blue) who took pole position, followed by Etienne Mustache (Wargaming) and Sylvain (NordVPN), these last two drivers have just reversed their positions compared to the first edition. Note the very good performance of LeBouseuh (Overwatch 24th), Ana On Air and Maxime Biaggi (Movement5th and 6th) as well as Soso Maness And SCH (Samsung, 10th and 13th, Marseille was represented until the end by the S). The two rappers were clearly not there to sell albums or make up the numbers, taking training from the FFSA very close to his heart and giving his all throughout these last months and the day.
The start, launched, was given at 6:35 p.m., for 15 laps… in theory. Sylvain quickly took second place, but contact between Manon Lanza (Alpine Blue) and Maxime Biaggi triggered the release of the safety car. The two drivers involved unfortunately retired on the first lap, with tears for Maxime and even an ambulance evacuation for Manon, then it was a red flag that was waved on the sixth lap, forcing the single-seaters to return to the pits for let the race marshals clean the track safely. The race therefore resumed at 7:00 p.m. sharp, on the seventh lap, for a shortened battle between the 22 drivers remaining on the track. Eight rounds where Mister V (Subway) And Gotaga (Gentle Mates) put on a show by exchanging positions for a long time. Depielo flew away from the restart, leaving no hope to his opponents despite a shoulder injury. Note the abandonment of Billy (Crunchyroll) on the last lap due to a trip into the gravel trap, the spin of SCH who gave up immediately, same disappointment for Kekra (Crunchyrolla hard blow for the team and the Rap French).
The checkered flag waves, it is obviously Max Verstappen Depielo who takes first place, with a hat-trick along the way (pole position, victory and best time in the race), accompanied on the podium by Sylvain and Etienne Mustachelike last year but in a different order. LeBouseuh, Ana On AirRock (NordVPN), Squeezie (Gentle Mates), Amixem (Wargaming), Soso Maness And Katsup (Overwatch 2) complete the Top 10, and it is NordVPN who wins the trophy for the best stable, combining the points of Sylvain and Pierre (crankshaft). Finally, let us highlight the performances of Baghera Jones And Horty Underscore (Cupra17th and 20th) as well as Maghla (RhinoShield19th), who finished the race safely and avoided the dangers after obtaining their driving license only a few weeks ago!
Throughout the day, the 60,000 spectators on site (20,000 more than last year) were able to witness various events celebrating motorsportwith notably GMK who had brought his own cars, BMW And mercedesto satellite stainless steel And Ragnar the Breton on the track. But we also had the right of the Formula 2 piloted by Victor Martins and Théo Pourchaire, French pilots ofART Grand Prix, unfortunately limited in power due to a technical problem. Frustrating, for the spectators as well as for the pilots, who corrected the problem with their mechanics before putting it back at snack time… and above all before giving way to real Formula 1 ! Eh yes, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were at Le Mans aboard F1 of 2012 in the colors ofAlpine, their team and big sponsor of the event. Engines V8 atmospherics roared on the track, the two Normandy drivers put on the show, with donuts facing the stands. A feast for the eyes and ears! And the day continued after the podium, with a concert provided by Hamza And PLK.
THE GP Explorer 2 was obviously to be followed live on Twitch (except the concert), with several hundred thousand viewers throughout the day, and peaking at more than a million spectators simultaneously at 6:25 p.m., a few minutes before departure. Last year’s French record was broken during the race, and it now stands at 1,340,960 viewers simultaneouslydethroning that of Amine. stars and Hakim Jemili, for their part, toured the stands and the paddock to make us experience the event throughout the day on Twitch.
Once again, Squeezie and its teams proposed a GPExplorer lives up to expectations, although the spectacle was mainly outside the race, a little disappointing because of a long safety car. Regardless, it’s once again a success at Le Mans and on Twitch. The only downside is the very restricted format of the Grand Prix itself, cut short because of a simple fact of racing, and above all the wave of harassment that has affected Manon Lanza since her collision with Maxime Biaggi on Twitter And Youtube…
From there to imagine a GP Explorer 3 in 2024, there is only one easy step to take, so that certain unfortunate drivers can take their revenge, and why not dislodge the three regulars from the podium! And for you too to drive on the circuit Bugatti Le Mans, but virtually, you can find Assetto Corsa has €17.99 on Gamesplanet.
| Clint008 Editor – Tester |
