Schumacher tribute? 'All bets are off' move awards major win at Silverstone
14:36, 08 Aug 2025
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A filmmaker with a soft spot for Ronnie Peterson, Gilles Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen and above all, Tazio Nuvolari and Ayrton Senna, is also a diehard Formula One fan since the age of 4 (mid-90's). An avid researcher of the past of Grand Prix Racing since before it was even named F1, and with a thirst for knowledge of the ins and outs of the actuality of the sport, as well as for the technical aspects that define it, is a member of GPblog since 2023, where he has put his love of racing to good use.
Jarno Opmeer pulled off a daring move during a virtual Grand Prix at Silverstone that instantly reminded fans of Michael Schumacher’s controversial 1998 win.
Opmeer, running in third late in the race, swung into the pit lane to shorten the course by cutting through Turns 17 and 18. The tactic worked, as he crossed the finish line 0.008 seconds ahead of second place.
The similarity to the real‑life incident is uncanny. In 1998, Schumacher veered into the pit lane on the final lap, benefiting from a time penalty but triggering a rulebook controversy. His win ultimately stood after race officials reversed the penalty following scrutiny over procedural loopholes.
Opmeer beats the rulebook to 'A la Schumi' win
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Opmeer admitted he knew it was fast, since he’d noticed that drivers who pitted had posted quicker laps. And he then pulled the 'all bets are off' move.
“If you try a trick like that, you never know if it will work,” he said to the Dutch branch of Motorsport.com. “Maybe the win feels even better because the margin was so narrow.”
He also noted there's nothing in the virtual racing rulebook forbidding such a manoeuvre. “In real‑life F1, that wouldn’t be allowed. But in this league, it isn’t covered,” he explained.
As for whether the result stands, a final decision is still pending. “We need to wait. It’s not in the rules, so we do not expect a penalty," Opmeer concluded.
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