ABL S36 R1 Recap

17 March 2024
Absolute Beginners League | Season 36 | Round 1
FIA F4 Series Formula Neagle | Red Bull Ring

The Absolute Beginners League kicked off its highly anticipated Season 36 with a thrilling opening round at the Red Bull Ring, featuring back-to-back 20-minute races in the FIA F4 Series Formula Neagle. Philipp Hammer, representing Impulse Racing, secured pole position for the first race, setting the stage for an action-packed evening of racing.

As the lights went out, Hammer wasted no time asserting his dominance, quickly pulling away with the lead. Behind him, a fierce battle ensued for the remaining podium positions, with Erik Blixt facing relentless pressure in his defense of second place from contenders Michael Haflidason, Marcus Byfeldt, Eero Nõmm, and Wojtek Potoczek.

Haflidason successfully maneuvered past Blixt to claim second position, but Hammer had already established a significant lead, leaving the rest of the field in his wake. Meanwhile, the battle for second intensified, with positions constantly changing as drivers jostled for position.

By the halfway mark, Byfeldt managed to secure second place from Haflidason, gradually closing the gap between himself and Hammer. As the race entered its final lap, Byfeldt launched a fierce challenge for the lead, closing in on Hammer and attempting to snatch victory. However, Hammer maintained his composure and successfully defended his position, crossing the finish line to claim a well-deserved victory after leading every lap of the race.

With the top five finishers inverted for the second race, Eero Nõmm found himself starting from pole position, eager to capitalize on his advantageous position. However, Haflidason wasted no time in seizing the lead, with Nõmm hot on his heels.

The battle for the lead intensified in the opening laps, reaching its climax when contact between Haflidason and Nõmm resulted in both drivers going off-track, collecting Blixt in the chaos. While Haflidason managed to recover and continue, Nõmm’s race came to an untimely end due to the damage sustained in the incident.

With the collision gifting Hammer the lead once again, Byfeldt seized the opportunity to challenge him for the top spot. In a nail-biting finale, Byfeldt made a decisive move on the final lap, overtaking Hammer in the closing corners to clinch victory in a dramatic fashion.

The ABL’s next event promises to deliver further excitement, as the GT3 Series Andy Morgan Cup heads to Autódromo José Carlos Pace on Sunday, March 24th. Don’t miss the action, streaming live exclusively on the Virtual Grip Network at 2:50 PM ET!