FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP - SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - RACE 1

30/08 - Patrick Kujala imposes himself in Spa

Patrick Kujala © DPPI

First podium of the season and on the highest step! The Finn pocketed his very first victory in Belgium and can also be proud of being the very first foreign driver to impose himself this year. Having left in 7th position, Pierre Gasly climbs onto the 2nd step of the podium – his best result so far – in front of the Spaniard Victor Colomé who is also celebrating his first victory in the F4 French Championship.

The fog, very present during the morning qualifying session and where Pierre Sancinéna signed his two pole positions, finally disappeared at the beginning of the afternoon when the cars are set up on the starting grid. The double pole man sets himself at the head of the group, followed by the Finn Patrick Kujala, the leader Matthieu Vaxivière and the Spaniard Victor Colomé. Pierre Sancinéna negotiates his take off to the perfection, the apex of the Source could have been fatal but all academicians passed it with no great difficulties. In the exit of the corner, Victor Colomé is able to overtake the leader and settle himself within reach of Patrick Kujala. Lead by Pierre Sancinéna, they detach themselves from the rest of the group where all drivers are trying to place themselves to the best. Behind Matthieu Vaxivière, Cyril Raymond can see Alexandre Mantovani and Pierre Gasly take the advantage. Jordan Perroy is preceding Aurélien Panis and Alex Loan Ventura, who closes the Top Ten after the first lap.

Whereas Cyril Raymond goes back out of point reach, Andréa Pizzitola comes back in force in 8th position behind Jordan Perroy. A little farther, the local driver of this stage, Kévin Balthazar, tries his best to maintain his position. With the fight between the Indian Parth Ghorpade and the Polish driver Tomasz Krzeminski, the three youngsters present themselves at the same time at the Source corner but the Belgian driver maintains his advantage. In the following lap, Parth Ghorpade comes back to the pits with a rear wing in an appalling state and cannot regain the race.

At the head of the race, Pierre Sancinéna seems to be forlorn but this doesn’t last as Patrick Kujala is approaching him dangerously. Matthieu Vaxivière has taken 3rd position to the detriment of Victor Colomé but the latter soon regains his belongings. Pierre Gasly is driving solo but the fight between his predecessors allows him to come back. A few meters away from him, Alexandre Mantovani and Alex Loan Ventura are struggling over 6th position under the amusing eye of Andréa Pizzitola who could take advantage of this situation. Whilst fighting ferociously, Cyril Raymond and Tristan Papavoine come back into the Top Ten, the advantage remaining for the first quoted.

Four laps away from the chequered flag, Patrick Kujala is right behind Pierre Sancinéna and is on the point of attacking. During this manoeuvre, both men touch each other but the Finn is able to gain the leadership of the race. Unfortunately, his opponent goes off in a spin and has to rejoin the pits. At the same moment, Matthieu Vaxivière has to submit to Pierre Gasly’s pressure who pockets 3rd position. Two laps later, the former member of the French Go-kart Team takes the best out of Victor Colomé, who therefore finds himself once again under the pressure of Vaxivière. At the end, 3 thousands of seconds separate them, the final photo is great but it is definitely the Spaniard who accompanies Kujala and Gasly on the podium.

Matthieu Vaxivière pockets the points of 4th position and maintains his leadership. Alex Loan Ventura signs his best performance and closes the Top Five in front of Pizzitola, Mantovani, Raymond, Papavoine and Balthazar. On his grounds, he finally manages to come into points. The Lithuanian freelance driver, Jonas Ramanauskas, can be delighted by his performance as he finishes 14th behind Jordan Perroy.

Patrick Kujala: « I made a good start but after two laps, I could see Victor getting closer and Pierre getting further and further away from me. That is why I put more pressure on my driving and was able to come back on him and attack. I lost sight of him in my rear mirrors and I don’t really know why. I therefore had a comfortable advance and the race became a lot easier. I am really delighted with this victory as I was persuaded I could impose myself and I am more than satisfied that this victory took place on this circuit. »

Pierre Gasly: « Between qualifying and race, I changed the settings of the car (rear wing) and the behaviour of my single-seater became more comfortable for me. I was able to squeeze past Alexandre then thanks to the fight between Victor and Matthieu; I was able to come back. I was able to overtake them without great difficulty and after that, I managed the rest. »

Victor Colomé: « Within the first meters, I was able to overtake Matthieu. I was in a comfortable position but at mid-race, I lost my pace and Pierre was able to take advantage a little before the chequered flag. It’s really a pity when you find yourself so close to the finishing line but I am very happy with this first podium. »