F.BMW: Frijns back in the hunt after Spa win

Robin Frijns closed to within seven points of Formula BMW Europe title rival Jack Harvey courtesy of a victory and second place at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend, while Javier Tarancon scored his first series win.

Race 1:
Frijns made inroads into his championship deficit in the opener where he finished second behind Tarancon after starting eighth.
 

Rookie championship leader Carlos Sainz and Michael Lewis were first corner casualties in an accident that also involved Maciej Bernacik and warranted a Safety Car period.

Once racing resumed, polesitter Côme Ledogar held the lead from Hannes van Asseldonk and Tarancon. Facu Regalia was fifth and chasing Harvey when he hit the barriers on lap three which allowed Frijns on to the Brit’s tail.

A lap later, impressive rookie van Asseldonk took the lead while his Josef Kaufmann Racing team mate also dived past Harvey, and then the tumbling Ledogar, for third.

The overtaking fest continued throughout with Tarancon relieving the Dutchman of the lead on lap five, a position he would keep to the finish. Frijns and Harvey would also pounce before the chequered flag, leaving van Asseldonk fourth and less than a second clear Timmy Hansen and Daniil Kyvat. Ledogar meanwhile could do no better than seventh, just ahead of Marc Coleselli.

Race 2:
Frijns cut the gap still further in race two courtesy of his victory and Harvey managing no better than fourth.

Sainz’ miserable weekend on-track continued when he again failed to complete a lap after clashing with Frijns. His hefty rookie championship lead however means the Spaniard still wrapped up the crown with one round remaining.    

Tarancon passed Ledogar for the lead at the start with Frijns fourth having survived his encounter with Sainz. And the Dutchman was soon into his stride, first relieving Harvey of third on lap three, then second on the following tour, before taking the lead after six.

Ledogar wasn’t about to fall away just as he had in the opener though and remained glued to Frijns’ gearbox for the remainder of the race, finishing 0.3sec adrift.

The battle for the final podium spot was even closer with Tarancon eventually prevailing by just 0.2sec after he and Harvey swapped places several times.

Hansen came home fifth, one place clear of Hansen who moved up to third in the championship. Van Asseldonk and Katsinis completed the top eight. 

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Tom Hornsby