The second race of the Magny-Cours weekend was full of twists and provided the spectators with fabulous entertainment. Denis Bulatov from Russia crossed the line in first place just in front of Frenchman Valentin Hasse-Clot and Joseph Mawson from Australia.
The second race in the fourth round of the French F4 Championship was run in beautiful sunshine on the legendary Magny-Cours circuit. The 24 trainees lined up on the grid ready to go head to head over 14 laps. Erwin Julé who finished 10th in the first race was on pole followed by two Russians Denis Bulatov and Vladimir Atoev. Valentin Hasse Clot started from fourth place.
When the lights went out Julé made a good start and took the lead from Bulatov. The Frenchman was perhaps a bit too conservative early on and the Russian got past him at the Nürburgring corner. Further back Dorian Boccolacci collided with Patricio O’Ward from Mexico after which he hit the rear of Vladimir Atoev’s car. The Russian lost several places in the incident which proved fatal to the young Frenchman’s hopes who pulled off for good a little later on.
On lap 2 another collision took place under braking for Adélaïde between Frenchman Amaury Richard and Swiss-Albanian leading to both drivers’ retirement.
After the first two hectic laps the battle still raged out on the track in particular between Mawson, Anglo-Swiss Félix Hirsiger, Aotev, and two Swiss drivers David Droux and Paul Hokfelt Jr for fourth place. Mawson had made a great comeback and was already lying fifth.
Up front the first three consisting of Bulatov, who dominated the race, Julé and Hasse Clot pulled away. The two Frenchmen were at it hammer and tongs and Julé did his best to fend off the increasingly persistent attacks of his fellow-countryman. Hasse-Clot was very quick and was obviously aiming for first place.
As the race approached the halfway mark there was no let-up in the on-track action throughout the field to the delight of the crowd.
The drivers who were among the front-runners in race 1 Hokfelt Jr and Hirsiger had managed to avoid the pitfalls of the opening laps and were now lying fifth and sixth. Mawson was getting closer and closer to Julé but he was giving nothing away to the Australian who was determined to snatch third place.
Atoev, whose rear wing had been flattened in the early-race incidents, was still going like the clappers and caused the midfield runners to bunch up. Frenchman Bryan Elpitiya was helped by this as after starting from 23rd place he was now in 11th spot. Mawson in fourth pushed very hard to catch the leading trio.
Behind these four, Hokfelt Jr was driving a good race in fifth place after getting the better of Hirsiger. Two laps from the end Finn Simo Laaksonen tagged Swede Reuben Kressner in the chicane leading on to the start/finish straight. At that very moment Mawson slipped past Julé to take third.
There were no further incidents on the final lap and Bulatov strolled home to victory closely followed by Hasse Clot and Mawson.
Hirsiger who was quickest in qualifying will start the third race from pole alongside Dane Lasse Sorensen and Dorian Boccolacci.
Rendezvous for race 3: Sunday 7th September at 11h25
Quotes
Denis Bulatov: “I had no problems at the start and on the straight I was able to overtake Erwan. I’m very happy with my first place and above all with the points in the championship.”
Valentin Hasse Clot: ”I knew I had to overtake quickly to finish on the podium so I did just that with Vladimir Atoev. I then caught Denis Bulatov, but I preferred to ensure my second place and not risk contact and a mistake. I’m very happy with this top-three finish.”
Joseph Mawson: “I fought my way up to the front pretty quickly and I drove carefully without taking any risks that could have led to my car being damaged before I found myself behind Erwan Julé. Overtaking him was very difficult, but I managed to control the closing laps of the race and I’m pleased with my third place as the points are important for the championship.”
Info Auto Sport Academy / © Photo KSP