Gounon cruises to Magny-Cours race one victory

Photo: DPPI

Jules Gounon was the star of the moment in race one of the French F4 round at Magny-Cours, taking a commandeering victory from second on the grid.

Gounon enjoyed the best launch off the grid on a wet track and was first into turn one, overtaking poleman Tom Le Coq. It was smooth sailing from that point on, with the Frenchman comfortably extending his lead to eight seconds at the checkered flag.

In the fight for second, Le Coq lost out to Matevos Isaakyan on lap five, and the former then found himself under pressure from championship leader Anthoine Hubert. Still, however narrowly, he held on to the spot, forcing Hubert to settle for fourth, ahead of Simo Muhonen and Neal van Vaerenbergh.

Tristan Viidas was seventh, picking up the extra point for the fastest lap of the race. Amaury Rossero took eighth, while Dennis Anoschin and Florian Pottier rounded out the top ten and will start the reverse-grid race from front row.

In the standings, Hubert increased his lead over Viidas to an astonishing 158 points. He needs that number to reach 160 by the end of the weekend to secure the title two rounds early.

Race results