The finish, which came in his 18th career start, was his first on the circuit since the Belgian Grand Prix at the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps when he completed all 6 laps under power, 7 races ago. In the SCRL Red Bull Formula One Series, it's the 4th for car #5 and the 13th where the car was still running. Across all the series in the SCRL, it's the 15th for the #5 and the 228th where the car was still running.
After suffering a flat tire at Spa, Richard would bounce back with a 4th at Yas Marina, 5th at COTA, 7th at Hungaroring, 10th at Red Bull Ring, 6th at Estoril before struggling at Mexico City, finishing a disappointing 16th.
On race day, Richard rolled off starting in the 16th spot while starting in the final spot was Shanghai last-place finisher the #11 Sahara Force India F1 Team of Trey Wright and position that Wright would hold for the first lap when entering Turn 1 the #14 McLaren-Honda F1 Team of Rodger McLaughlin took the final spot after being spun out, with Richard having no where to go and slammed into McLaughlin's car. Richard would take the final spot for the first time on Lap 5 as he struggled with suspension damage, but would fight back to knock the #8 Haas F1 Team of Joseph Huffman into last on Lap 7, but his stay in the final spot would be brief, knocking Richard back to last on Lap 9. Richard would try to gain another spot over the last two laps but the suspension damage had taken it's toll on the car, preventing him from keeping up, falling 18 seconds behind the race leaders by the time the checkered flag waved.
The remaining Bottom Five were: 21st was the aforementioned #8 of Joseph Huffman, 20th was the #14 of Rodger McLaughlin, 19th was two-time last-place finisher the #30 Renault Sport F1 Team of Cassie Dent and 18th was the #11 of Trey Wright.
Entering the season finale at Suzuka, Richard has a one last-place finish lead over Trevor Collins, Jack Hallec, Cassie Dent, David Solomon and Tony Newman but only Richard, Collins, and Hallec can mathematically win the championship on the strength on having more Top Five finishes. If anyone but Richard, Collins or Hallec finishes last, it will give the title to Richard, but if Richard, Collins or Hallec finish last, they will win the championship.
SCRLASTCAR STATISTICS
*This was the first time the #5 has finished last at Kyalami.
THE BOTTOM FIVE
22) #5-Richard Torres / 11 laps / running
21) #8-Joseph Huffman / 11 laps / running
20) #14-Rodger McLaughlin / 11 laps / running
19) #30-Cassie Dent / 11 laps / running
18) #11-Trey Wright / 11 laps / running
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