F1 Sim Racing World Championship – Event 3

KICK F1 Sim Racing Team fought until the very last corner at the final Event of the 2023-2024 F1 Sim Racing World Championship, ultimately clinching second place in the drivers’ championship with Thomas Ronhaar and, thanks to the points of Brendon Leigh, second place in the teams’ championship.

It was a thrilling finale for one of the most closely fought seasons of F1 Sim Racing: Thomas headed into the final round in Abu Dhabi needing a 13-points swing to clinch the title and, despite an impressive performance that saw him lead the race until two laps to the flag, he was just short at the finish line. It was a commanding race from the young Dutchman, in just his second season of F1 Sim Racing: with all the pressure heaped on him, he kept calm and collected as he scythed through the field.

Supported by Brendon, whose points were crucial in snatching P2 in the teams’ championship from Red Bull Racing to finish runner-up to Ferrari, Thomas kept his dignity when racing, and can leave this season with his head held high, proud of his effort in the face of overwhelming odds on and off the track.

For KICK F1 Sim Racing Team, P2 in the teams’ standings represents a massive step forward from the past, and the best performance in five years. It’s but a building step, a confidence boost that will enable the team to continue its progression and return next season with the firm belief that the ultimate objective — the drivers’ and teams’ crowns – is within reach.

KICK F1 Sim Racing Team

P2 with 213 points

3 wins / 4 pole positions / 8 podiums

Andrea Bugnone, Team Manager: “I’m very pleased with our 2023-2024 season, despite the obvious disappointment of missing out on the drivers’ title for the tiniest of margins. This was a season in which we had many changes, starting from a new driver line-up, our association with R8G, and a new championship format, with the latter returning to LAN Events. The entire team has put in a lot of work in the past months, to ensure that Thomas [Ronhaar] and Brendon [Leigh] had the best structure around them, enabling them to focus on their racing performance. Looking back on our season, the team has done an incredible job securing P2 in the constructors’ championship, and Thomas missing out on the F1 Sim Racing World Champion title by only a few points. Weve made a few mistakes along the way, which we’ve identified and which we’ll work on during the off-season to make sure we come back next season to secure the Constructors’ title. A special hats-off to Brendon, Thomas, our engineers, and R8G for the fantastic work done in the past months. A big thank you goes also to all our partners for supporting us. KICK F1 Sim Racing Team has made tremendous progress in the past year, going from P5 to P2 in the constructors’ standings. We’re more motivated than ever to adjust the missing details, keep progressing, and go racing again.”

Thomas Ronhaar

KICK F1 Sim Racing Team

P2 / 166 points

3 wins / 4 pole positions / 7 podiums

Round 8 / Mexico: P1

Round 9 / Brazil: P1

Round 10 / Las Vegas: P4

Round 11 / Qatar: P3

Round 12 / Abu Dhabi: P2

“After an eventful third event, we worked harder than ever to regain the positions lost. It was a huge challenge, with quite a gap, but with two wins on the first day, we were back in the fight for both championships. All was down to the last race, and literally to the last few corners in Abu Dhabi. Starting from pole position, I did all I could, but it was not enough to secure the title: however, P2 in only my second season is something I am proud of. Most importantly, in the end, we take home P2 in both championships in the 2023-2024 season, a well-deserved result for what is still a young team.

For our first season as KICK F1 Sim Racing Team, it’s quite an achievement in the closest 1 Sim Racing championship ever. A lot has been learned and will still be learned throughout the coming period, and I can’t wait to get going again on F1 24 – we will be even stronger.”

Brendon Leigh

KICK F1 Sim Racing Team p9 / 47 points

1 podium

Round 8 / Mexico: DNF

Round 9 / Brazil: P9

Round 10 / Las Vegas: P7

Round 11 / Qatar: P16

Round 12 / Abu Dhabi: P9

“I am proud of the whole team as we wrap up the season with second in the Constructors’ Championship. We have been pushing day in and day out together, searching for those marginal gains that can produce critical championship-defining moments. Ultimately, I feel extremely fortunate and privileged to work alongside such talented individuals that bring unique skill sets to the table. They are all different, but all very strong skill sets. Personally, my two highlights for this season were the podium in COTA, whose points helped me surpass 500 points in my total career’s tally. I wasn’t tracking this stat, in all honesty, so when I was told about it, it was a pleasant surprise that I feel is positively reflective of my career so far. It was a great moment to share with KICK F1 Sim Racing Team. Now it is time for a reset, and to come back stronger for the upcoming F1 2024 release!”