FRENCH F4 CHAMPIONSHIP - SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - RACE 2

30/08 - Pierre Gasly, as happy as can be!

Pierre Gasly © DPPI

For the last race competed before the summer holidays, Pierre Gasly wins his first victory in car racing face to the winner of the previous day, Patrick Kujala and Matthieu Vaxivière. The latter, who is the eldest of the three drivers with his 16 years, has a good advance in the general classification and is named the summer Champion!

It’s with a light drizzle that the young drivers of the F4 French Championship began their warm-up lap. Even though it stopped when they set up on the starting grid, the track still remained very slippery and full of traps. At light extinction, the pole man, Pierre Sancinéna is immediately dispossessed of his leading position by Patrick Kujala. Placed third on the starting grid, Cyril Raymond makes an excellent departure and makes it to the head of the group at the Source corner but his leadership will not continue for long as he ends up crashing his car into the wall before even having finished his first lap. Pierre Gasly therefore finds himself in the position of chaser followed very closely by Matthieu Vaxivière, Pierre Sancinéna, Victor Colomé, Aurélien Panis and Alex Loan Ventura. A little farther, Tristan Papavoine, Jordan Perroy and Alexandre Mantovani are also very close to each other, within eye reach of Andréa Pizzitola.

At the head of the race, all drivers are fighting ferociously. Pierre Gasly, 15 years old since last February, and Patrick Kujala, also 15 since last May, arrive at the Blanchimont corner together and it is the first named driver to pass. The situation of the race seems to set itself together as from now on. Whilst the former driver of the French Go-kart Team speeds up in front of the Finn and the leader Vaxivière, continuously on the contact, Pierre Sancinéna tries to maintain the Spaniard Victor Colomé behind him. Alex Loan Ventura and Aurélien Panis are in solo in front of Andréa Pizzitola who is continuing his ascent, leaving both duos Perroy/Mantovani and Balthazar/Papavoine sorting things out with each other. At the far end of the group, the only girl of this promotion will not cross the finishing as her single-seater comes and crashes into the wall of tires at the Combes corner.

At mid-race, Pierre Gasly has now built a comfortable gap whereas Matthieu Vaxivière comes back on Patrick Kujala. The leader of the race has a little fright when missing his braking in the Bus Stop corner. Luckily enough, he has a comfortable advance… But all eyes are concentrating on Andréa Pizzitola who is overtaking, one after the other, Aurélien Panis and Alex Loan Ventura. Victor Colomé’s mistake allows him to swoosh into 5th position. As far as the Spaniard is concerned, he is trying to defend his position face to Tristan Papavoine and Alexandre Mantovani, himself under pressure of the Belgian driver Kévin Balthazar who wishes to pocket more points. Unfortunately, he steps back into 12th position. Two laps away from the chequered flag, Alexandre Mantovani is able to outclass his fellow drivers. Tristan Papavoine takes the advantage in the last lap on the Spaniard who has to content himself with only one small point. In spite of the tricky track conditions, the Lithuanian freelance driver, Jonas Ramanauskas, is able to avoid all traps and manages to finish the race. His objective is therefore achieved!

After a solid race and with more than 3 seconds advance, Pierre Gasly crosses the finishing line for the first time as winner. His brilliant smile is appropriate after the difficulties he has had since the beginning of the season! Patrick Kujala climbs onto the Belgian podium once again followed by Matthieu Vaxivière, who confirms his advance in the Championship. Even though he came back onto the three leading drivers – he could possibly have needed a few more laps to attempt an attack – Pierre Sancinéna crosses the finishing line in 4th position in front of Andréa Pizzitola who was almost in his gear box after having started the race in 12th position on the starting grid!

Pierre Gasly: « The first lap was very intense and after Cyril’s track exit, I was finally in 2nd position. Very quickly, I was able to take the advantage and dig the necessary gap just in case… This is a wonderful victory, I’m delighted. I have been waiting for this moment for such a long time! This is definitely excellent for keeping a good spirit and when you see the qualifying session, all I can say is that this is a perfect weekend! »

Patrick Kujala: « The start of the race was good but Cyril was better than me in the exit of the first corner, then Matthieu did the same a little farther but I was able to regain my position in the Combes corner. I had to give in face to Pierre and was not able to keep up with him. However, I am delighted with this meeting. »

Matthieu Vaxivière: « I was racing for the Championship, not for the race. 10 points are good to take and I didn’t want to loose all chances by attacking Patrick and Pierre. In any case, they were to fast. Also, my direct opponents were behind me – all I had to do was to manage my race as good as I could. I have been able to maintain my leadership throughout three meetings – not bad at all! I can go away on holiday with peace on my mind! »