Intercomp VMD Simsport driver battles hard across sprint and feature races to lead the standings after Round 1
The Malta National F4 Championship 2025 packed Donington Park in spectacular fashion, delivering two races filled with drama, chaos, and tense racing that left viewers and the commentators breathless. In collaboration with the Malta Motorsport Federation, iRacing, and Gaming Malta, the championship’s first round has already shown what season is coming ahead.
Qualifying served as the first glimpse of what was to come. A tense session saw times tumble until the very last second, with Aaron Debattista clinching pole for Intercomp VMD Simsport. Right behind him was debutant Ilan Dimech Ghirxi, who impressed immediately, while Project Eversio’s Steve Axisa Farrell slotted into third.
The sprint race got underway with fireworks from the start. Ghirxi launched perfectly, seizing the lead into the first corner as Axisa Farrell and Jake Sammut gave chase. Chaos struck late in the lap when Axisa and Sammut were involved in an incident, forcing both into the pits for lengthy repairs that left them scrambling to rejoin from the back. Meanwhile, battles raged throughout the midfield, with Matthias Scerri and Tiashan Moodley also getting caught in incidents.
At the front, Ghirxi defended bravely against a relentless Debattista. Behind them, Andrew and Jayden Ellul capitalised on the early chaos to move into strong positions, while Sammut began a storming recovery drive. On lap five, Debattista finally forced his way past Ghirxi at the final corner, but the debutant refused to let go, staying within striking distance. As the race neared its conclusion, Sammut charged back into podium contention and with less than two minutes on the clock, completed a decisive move on Andrew Ellul to grab third.
The chequered flag saw Debattista victorious, Ghirxi just four tenths behind in a stunning debut, and Sammut completing an incredible comeback in third.
If the sprint race was a showcase of Malta’s elite with tense battles, the feature was all about endurance under pressure. With the grid reversed for the top eight, Steve Axisa Farrell grabbed the early advantage, leading the pack as chaos unfolded behind. Sammut once again carved his way forward with precision overtakes, while Debattista and Ghirxi reignited their duel from the sprint.
The battles came thick and fast with Jayden Ellul fighting hard to defend against Sammut, but the Project Eversio driver eventually broke through to claim second, forming a 1-2 for the team. Behind them, Debattista’s determination paid off as he forced Sammut into an error, reclaiming second position and leaving Ghirxi to secure another podium in third. At the front, Axisa Farrell stayed cool under pressure to take a well-deserved win.
After all these battles, tension and pressure, it was Aaron Debattista who emerged as the early championship leader thanks to his sprint race win and consistent feature performance.
Debattista is now leading the championship with 46 points, followed by Ilan Dimech Ghirxi with 37 points and Steve Axisa Farrell in third with 33 points.
The first round has made it clear that the 2025 F4 National Championship is going to be a season of tight margins and exciting battles by Malta’s best sim racing talent. With so much talent on display, the road ahead promises nothing less than an edge-of-the-seat spectacle.
