F.BMW: Hungary ends all square between Harvey and Frijns

Jack Harvey remains 23 points clear of Robin Frijns at the top of the Formula BMW Europe championship after both scored victories at the Hungaroring last weekend.

Race 1:
Frijns cut the gap to Harvey with his fourth victory of the season on Saturday, although Harvey was right in his wheel tracks behind. George Katsinis completed the podium.

The Dutchman led away from pole and was never seriously threatened thereafter as Harvey concentrated on keeping Carlos Sainz, Katsinis and Daniil Kvyat at bay. Indeed, Kvyat attempted a brave move around the outside of the championship leader into turn one only to be repelled.

While Frijns stretched his lead to as much as three seconds at the front, the battle for the remaining points positions intensified with just 5.5secs covering second place to 12th.  

Kvyat dropped to fifth soon after his first corner passing attempt and had the best seat in the house as Katsinis harried Sainz. The Greek made his move on lap ten before holding station to score his country’s first Grand Prix weekend podium.

Sainz was again the top rookie in fourth, ahead of Come Ledogar who passed Kvyat for fifth on lap 11.

Race 2:
The top two swapped positions in the weekend’s second race with Harvey re-establishing his championship advantage.
 

The Fortec Motorsport driver started from pole but was forced to defend from the fast starting Sainz who briefly nosed ahead at the first corner, only to run wide and fall into the clutches of Frijns who made second his a lap later.

Any chance of Katsinis repeating his podium heroics also vanished at turn one where he too ran wide and slipped back 13th.

Harvey was able to pull clear at the front courtesy of Frijns and Sainz’s race-long squabble which also included Timmy Hansen by the end, the Englishman eventually winning by 4.6secs.

Hannes Van Asseldonk took fifth with Ledogar, Petri Suvanto and Maciej Bernacik completing the top eight.

Catch Formula BMW Europe coverage on Motors TV throughout 2010.

Tom Hornsby