Colapinto holds off Lawson for maiden Toyota Racing Series win

Photo: Toyota Racing NZ

Franco Colapinto picked up his maiden Toyota Racing Series win after holding off points leader Liam Lawson in the final laps of the second Hampton Downs race.

The Kiwi Motorsport driver took the lead from pole-sitter Oliver Rasmussen at the start, and the pair were joined by Lawson – who made up two positions off the line by taking to the grass -as the leading group.

After a safety car period in the second half of the race to retrieve Axel Gnos’ beached car, which had been punted off by Tijmen van der Helm,? Colapinto was able to keep hold of the lead for the last few laps.

M2 Competition driver Lawson went around the outside of Turn 1 to take second place from Giles Motorsport’s Rasmussen on the restart, and he set fastest lap in his pursuit of Colapinto but could not pass the Argentinian.

Second place did extend Lawson’s championship lead over race one winner Igor Fraga, who finished fifth behind Yuki Tsunoda.

Caio Collet started from third place but went way off at the first corner on the opening lap, dropping him down the order. He fought his way back into the top 10, then benefited from the safety car to finish seventh, just behind MTEC Motorsport by R-ace GP team-mate Petr Ptacek.

Ido Cohen required a front wing replacement after the first lap of the race, and he also gained from the safety car interruption as he was brought onto the rear of the pack and pinched 16th place from Spike Kohlbecker.

Race results (20 laps)