Griffin Peebles takes 2024 Formula Winter Series title with emphatic victories in Barcelona
Coming into the final round of the Formula Winter Series with just a five-point lead over his rival, Griffin Peebles took victory in the two completed races in Barcelona to secure the championship.
Griffin Peebles takes to the podium in Barcelona. (FWS/Supplied)
Torrential rain led to the cancellation of race one despite a handful of laps behind the safety car, with Sunday morning welcoming the title decider under a bright and sunny sky in Barcelona.
Peebles started on pole in race two and led away cleanly, with championship rival Andres Cárdenas second after an early safety car.
With fellow Australian Gianmarco Pradel running wide and into the gravel from third, Peebles had a final stint of just four minutes of green flag running to increase his lead, with the race neutralised and the result guaranteed after further contact in the midfield.
Now with a lead of 15 points, Peebles remained focused on the finale.
“We had so many safety cars, the first was really long and we had one just before the end, then luckily it finished under another,” said the 16-year-old.
“I’m really happy with the result, good points for the championship, but it’s still going down to the last race.”
Griffin Peebles celebrates his championship victory in Barcelona. (FWS/Supplied)
Peebles started on the front row once again for race three, into the lead past polesitter Nathan Tye into turn one and securing the valuable position before another interrupted outing.
With six minutes of green flag running remaining and championship rival Cárdenas now behind him in second, it was a battle of wits for Peebles, assured only by a penalty for a jump start looming over the Peruvian behind him.
With Arthur Dorison into the gravel at turn one, a final safety car intervention left Peebles with a two-lap dash for the title, confidently taking the chequered flag and the series victory.
“It was a tricky last race because again we had three safety cars and I had to do something different on the restarts,” said Peebles.
“The initial start wasn’t that good, but I got Tye into the first corner and we were three wide and from there I tried to manage the gap and the safety car restarts.”
“The team gave me an amazing car, I was quick all weekend in the dry and I’m so happy to bring it home.”
“I can finally relax and celebrate.”
Australia’s first open-wheel champion of 2024, Peebles now turns his attention to a full season of the F4 Spanish Championship which begins in May.
