The Clark International Speedway in Pampanga hosted the final showdown between Japanese Ryo Yamada and Filipino Estefano Rivera of Toyota Otis as the Phoenix-Formula V1 Challenge 2019 overall championship went down-to-the-wire last Oct. 19 and 20.
The two drivers were only separated by a single point going to the last leg, with the Cleanfuel Racing ace Japanese driver holding the slight advantage.
What added pressure and flavor to the event was that the final race weekend sported a double-points system, giving the other drivers an outside chance in stealing the title from the two leaders.
The Saturday started off with Rivera drawing first blood after establishing a pole position lap time of 2:11.530. He then converted that to a race win.
Rivera led the race from start to finish, but crossed the finish line only 0.256 ahead of the surging Yamada.
The final day (Sunday) of competition resumed with even more excitement and intense racing wherein Race 2 saw Rivera and Yamada trading positions with each other from the get-go.
The 12-lap race did not fail to produce heart-stopping racing which was eventually conquered by Rivera after a marvelous overtake maneuver with 3 laps to go.
The two drivers crossed the checkered flag only 0.066 apart from each other.
The two race wins for Rivera meant that he had a 19-point advantage going into the final race later that afternoon. “Although the pressure was already much lighter going to the last race given my two previous wins, I knew it was far from over. I still needed to finish the race and place at least 3rd to officially bag the title, We can never be too complacent for anything can happen,” said Rivera, who did not plan to waste the opportunity as he crossed the finish line 2nd in the final race, which was more than enough to seal the championship.
A jubilant Rivera later on revealed during post-race interviews that he still had the intention to battle Yamada for the final race win but had to keep at bay and nurse a speculated transmission issue all the way to the checkered flag—to the surprise of everyone who thought that he purposely cruised and did not intend to battle for the win anymore.
The championship did not only proclaim Rivera with the title of being the best Formula V1 driver of 2019, he was also awarded with a race seat this coming December for the All-Japan Formula Vita Series final leg in Suzuka.
“This has got to be one of the, if not, the most prestigious championship I’ve won to date. Everything still feels a bit surreal after how dramatic the weekend transpired. I would like to thank the whole Cosco Group of Companies and Otis family for having such a fruitful year with them. From team owner Cosco Oben, to head coach Roland Hermoso, to team manager Pao Agregado, and to the rest of the team who made all this possible while sharing tons of great and fond memories. I certainly couldn’t have done it without every single one of them,” added Estefano.
Aside from his upcoming Suzuka, Japan stint this December, Estefano is still in the middle of securing his first ever National Slalom King crown as the series’ 10th leg will be this October 27 in Cabanatuan City.
Rivera just needs a few points to officially clinch the 2019 championship – vacated by his elder brother, 2014-2018 champion Milo, with three more races to go.
In addition, Rivera is also set to once again represent the country for the upcoming FIA Taiwan Intercontinental Gymkhana Prix this Nov. 9 and 10, along with his teammates Mark Bernales and Gabie Desales.