It may have waited three years for its first, but Team Brazil only had to wait a few minutes for its second FIA Motorsport Games gold medal as Luis Felipe de Sà Tavares completed a dream day for the nation.
With the country celebrating its first-ever gold in the preceding Esports GT race, all eyes were on pole-sitter de Sà Tavares to see if he could keep his nerve in the F4 outing. He didn’t disappoint, emerging just inches ahead from a breathless race that featured multiple leaders and a seven-car lead fight that went down to the final turn.
Brazil, Switzerland’s Jimmy Antunes and Republic of South Korea’s Gyumin Kim all took turns out front during the early stages as the lead pack broke away. Switzerland made a bold move to pass Brazil for the lead at the Bus Stop on the penultimate lap but spun its chances away on the throttle, leaving a lead pack of seven cars that were covered by a single second starting the final tour.
De Sà Tavares managed to hang on, despite one final challenge from Team Czechia’s Martin Kadlečik, who himself only just clung on to second as four cars crossed the line together, with South Korea snatching the bronze by fractions from both Netherlands and Singapore.
Aaaaaand breathe!! 🥇 🥈 🥉 #EsportsF4 has delivered with a wild and wonderful Final – won by #TeamBrazil who take a double #esports gold today!
–#FIAMotorsportGames pic.twitter.com/SMlX6vC4Zc— FIA Motorsport Games (@fiamgames) October 26, 2024