David ends his two rounds in FRAC with second win

Photo: FRAC

Hadrien David signed off his time in Formula Regional Asian Championship with a second win of the weekend at Dubai Autodrome, once again fending off Pepe Marti.

Pinnacle Motorsport’s Marti made a strong start to pass poleman David for the lead, but he came back past around the outside of turn one. The pair battled while also under pressure from Gabriele Mini, Isack Hadjar and Jak Crawford in the opening laps.

Crawford and Hadjar passed Mini, forcing the Hitech GP driver wide off the track but he was able to hold on in the next corners to reclaim his position. It was not long however until Mini was once again defending from the two behind.

Crawford stayed on Mini’s tail in the following laps but was unable to get past before the retirement of David Morales led to the safety car being summoned.

A perfect restart from David meant he had a comfortable gap to Marti after, while Mini and Crawford battled. Crawford attempted to pass around the outside of turn one, but Mini sent him wide and Crawford lost out to Dino Beganovic.

Mumbai Falcons’ Sebastian Montoya and Arthur Leclerc tangled in the following corners, with Montoya going into the run-off then sending Leclerc wide as he rejoined the track. Leclerc and Paul Aron went wheel-to-wheel next, until Montoya made contact with Aron’s rear-end and earned a black-and-white flag.

At the front David eventually came under pressure from Marti again, locking up and giving Marti – who he beat to race one victory – a chance. In the last two laps, the faster Marti placed himself ready to overtake but ran out of time to make a move.

Hadjar was third, Mini resisted late pressure from Beganovic and Crawford for fourth, while Montoya struggled with his tyres and dropped to 14th at the end.

Dilano van’t Hoff battled with Gabriel Bortoleto for points before retiring after contact with Aron.

Race results (19 laps)