United Kingdom has emerged victorious in this year’s Four Nations Cup, overcoming Australia, New Zealand and first-time participants South Africa in the fourth edition of the annual Esports event.

United Kingdom finished with 182 total team points after the two 30-minute virtual races, ahead of New Zealand on 155 points, South Africa on 50 points and Australia on 47 points.

Each race had 10 representatives from each nation, building a 40-car field.

Great Britain held the early advantage in the first of two races at Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit, with driver Marley Joffe earning pole position on the grid after finishing first in qualifying with a time of 2:02.353. New Zealand representative Antal Sabo rounded out the front row.

The drama ensued almost instantly with a multi-vehicle incident after the first turn, quickly separating the pack into two groups and the top three maintaining their positions for the remainder of the race.

New Zealand’s cohort of drivers did well in the first session to put the Kiwis in the team lead heading into the second race at Silverstone with 95 points, ahead of United Kingdom on 63 points, South Africa on 32 and Australia on 23.

Joffe led from start to finish in the first race to claim 25 points after 15 laps, Sabo finished second, and New Zealander Stefan McCartain rounded out the podium in third. Australia laboured down the standings with Stuart Ellis getting the highest placing, finishing ninth.

Joffe’s individual dominance was again on display in the second qualifying session, clocking a time of 1:50.570 to take pole position, three-tenths of a second quicker than fellow countryman Matt Caruana and four-tenths quicker than Australian Samuel Smith.

Caruana overtook his compatriot to claim first spot on the opening lap and controlled his pace well for the majority of the second race before Joffe regained his position on his way to the chequered flag after 16 laps.

Fellow Briton William Chadwick’s early efforts culminated in an all-United Kingdom podium on their home track. Six United Kingdom drivers made up the race’s top seven with Adam Watson, Zain Khan and Kieran Sharp further adding to the nation’s Silverstone dominance.

Smith was unable to maintain his position near the top of the order, falling outside the the top 30. Benjamin Roberts finished the race as Australia’s highest-placed driver in 12th in the second race.

United Kingdom’s 115-point haul from the second race was enough to slingshot United Kingdom into first place on the points standings ahead of New Zealand by 27 points, meanwhile Australia settled in fourth place after picking up just 24 points.

The result for Australia marked the first time the country was unable to win the event since the inaugural Four Nations Cup in 2022.