FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP - PAU - RACE 2

23/05 - Matthieu Vaxivière, King of Pau

Matthieu Vaxivière © DPPI

Imperial in the streets of Pau, Matthieu Vaxivière climbs once again onto the first step of the podium and is handed over his cup by Jacky Ickx. After their disappointments of the previous day, Pierre Sancinéna climbs onto the 2nd step of the podium in front of Aurélien Panis, so happy of this first podium in this discipline! Thanks to his good results, Matthieu Vaxivière has taken possession of the general classification with seven points advance on Pierre Sancinéna.

Matthieu Vaxivière places himself in pole position once again for the second race. At the extinction of lights, he spins slightly but manages to maintain his position face to Cyril Raymond, Pierre Gasly and Pierre Sancinéna. In the Gare corner, Tristan Papavoine – having left 5th – makes a mistake but is able to rejoin the group in last position. At the head of the race, Matthieu Vaxivière has no hesitation in digging the gap whereas Cyril Raymond firmly holds back Pierre Gasly who is now in his gear box. Behind them, Pierre Sancinéna watches out for the tiniest opportunity. This soon happens as Pierre Gasly brakes too late in the Gare corner. He tries to dive in but in vain. This manoeuvre comes well in time and Cyril Raymond is able to concentrate on rejoining the leader Vaxivière. A few hundred yards away from this duo, Pierre Gasly is master face to Pierre Sancinéna. Pierre tries to resist the constant attacks of the Spaniard Victor Colomé, he himself under the threat of Aurélien Panis who can see the British Josh Fielding and the Finn Patrick Kujala growing bigger and bigger in his rear mirrors.

Whereas Cyril Raymond is able to link up with Matthieu Vaxivière, two abandons are to be deplored. The Spaniard Francisco-Javier Suárez finishes his race in a wall of tires at the Gare corner, helped by another competitor. Then it’s the turn of Marie Baus-Coppens who is also victim of the same corner. Credited with the best lap in race, Pierre Gasly comes back on Cyril Raymond who is preparing his attack on the leader. On the long straight in front of the pits, he couldn’t have done better! Pierre Gasly takes the opportunity and also passes. But this advantage is cut short. Cyril Raymond fails in the famous Gare corner. Pierre Gasly also misses himself and is unable to avoid him. Unfortunately, both young men are eliminated. Matthieu Vaxivière therefore keeps his initial position in front of Pierre Sancinéna and Victor Colomé who is very close to loosing his front wing. While both men are busy with their little fight, Aurélien Panis takes the opportunity in overtaking the Spanish driver. Josh Fielding also takes the advantage but sees Victor Colomé dashing onto his car, tearing his rear wing off and finishing in the wall. In the next lap, the English driver violently exits in Foch – fortunately Josh is not harmed but the rear part of his car is completely destroyed. With the abandon of the Andorran Alex Loan Ventura two laps before, seven single-seaters will therefore not be crossing the finishing line.

Behind the three top drivers of the group, Patrick Kujala – having left in 11th position – is all by himself on the track whereas Alexandre Mantovani, Andréa Pizzitola, Jordan Perroy and the Indian Parth Ghorpade are all side by side. A little further, we can see Tristan Papavoine who obviously has been able to avoid all tricks of the moment! He is now placing himself in 9th position in front of Paul Petit whose front wing is menacing to fly off at any moment. The Belgian driver Kévin Balthazar takes the opportunity of this delicate situation and overtakes him. The Polish driver Tomasz Krzeminski does the same just when the said wing flies off but is unfortunately not able to pocket points. Two laps away from the chequered flag, the podium seems to be set but behind the battle is raging between Mantovani, Pizzitola and Perroy. Andréa Pizzitola tries to do all he can in the last lap but it’s finally Jordan Perroy who surprises him at the Lycée.

Matthieu Vaxivière: « The race was very difficult ; I made quite a few mistakes but finally I have come out with another beautiful victory ! This has been a perfect weekend even more so that I am now at the head of the Championship! What more could I say? I am so thrilled, these two pole positions were important for me but this double victory is just so satisfying and I can’t wait to get to Val de Vienne. »

Pierre Sancinéna: « I was so disappointed yesterday when I had to abandon that I didn’t want to reiterate again today. The race was definitely very hard, especially at the beginning and end, I had to fight hardly – it’s wonderful to pocket these precious points for the Championship. »

Aurélien Panis: « To be on the podium here in Pau, is just fantastic. After a difficult beginning and yesterday’s abandon, this is very encouraging! I hope to step onto the podium again very soon and why not onto the highest step! »