Swiss-Albanian driver Gjergj Haxhiu scored a well-deserved maiden victory after an incident-packed race on the Jerez circuit. Joining him on the podium were Swiss David Droux and Niclas Nylund from Finland.
The reversed grid after race 1 for the second heat gave Gjergj Haxhiu pole with Swiss driver Paul Hokfelt Jr alongside him on row 1. Sharing the second row were Niclas Nylund and David Droux.
The highest-placed drivers in the first race, Australian Joseph Mawson and Lasse Sorensen from Denmark, were on row 5. The crowd was looking forward to see their progress given the difficulty of overtaking on the Spanish circuit.
The start was pretty hectic as the drivers knew that the first lap could prove crucial in gaining positions. Haxhiu held on to first place in front of Droux who made a good getaway to latch on the leader’s gearbox. Mawson also made an excellent start and came round in seventh place at the end of the first lap after starting from tenth. Erwan Julé went off second time round and retired.
Mawson was very quick in the early stages of the race and continued to move up the time sheets passing Valentin Moineault to go into sixth. Next time round he gobbled up Russian Denis Bulatov.
Up front the battle for the lead raged with Haxhiu still in front of Droux and Paul Hockfelt while Mawson sliced past Nylund on lap 5.
Bulatov was now sixth in front of French duo Moineault and Dorian Boccolacci. Lasse Sorensen was back in ninth spot just in front of Mexican Patricio O’Ward. All these drivers were covered by a handkerchief and were at it hammer and tongs. Bryan Elpitiya retired at half distance after an off. Haxhiu was still in the lead and he began to eke out a gap, which was then reduced to zero when the safety car was deployed following the collision between Mawson and Hockfelt Jr. This incident helped all the drivers behind to move up two places.
The intervention of the safety teams was very long as they tried to remove the damaged cars. They were unable to do so quickly enough so the race was red-flagged.
Thus, Haxhiu scores his first victory in front of Droux and Nylund. Completing the top 10 were Moineault, Bulatov, Boccolacci, Sorensen, O’Ward, Anglo-Swiss Félix Hirsiger and Valentin Hasse Clot who scored the final point. Mawson, who was fastest in the qualifying session, will start race 3 from pole followed by Sorensen and O’Ward.
Rendezvous for race 3: Sunday 19th October at 16h55.
Quotes
Gjergj Haxhiu: “At the start of the race I felt a bit stressed as I didn’t make a very good getaway and I saw the others looming in my mirrors. But as they were battling among themselves, from the second lap onwards I was able to open up a small gap. I felt calmer and I pulled out a lead. I’m delighted with my first victory.”
David Droux : “I knew that the key to the race was the start. I got away very well after starting fourth and I was already second in the first corner. I kept up a good pace and I defended my position well. That was my priority.”
Niclas Nylund : “I made a bad start and lost a place, but I was able to move up the time sheets again after the collision between Joseph and Paul. I’m very happy with my race.”
Info Auto Sport Academy / © Photo KSP