Peugeot takes maiden French F4 win in hectic Spa race

Photo: Roger Gascoigne

Enzo Peugeot took his maiden French Formula 4 win at Spa-Francorchamps, resisting pressure from Romain Andriolo in the reversed-grid race.

Peugeot made a perfect start from the front row to pass polesitter Andriolo into La Source and immediately set about building a lead of 2.8 seconds by the end of lap one. Meanwhile, Pierre Edgar was pitched into a spin, retiring with a broken suspension.

Peugeot’s advantage was negated by two safety car periods in quick succession, including one for a collision between Valentino Mini and Luciano Morano at Les Combes.

Racing resumed with just six minutes on the clock and Andriolo immediately set about challenging Peugeot in front. On the penultimate lap, Andriolo had a run down the Kemmel straight but Peugeot defended vigorously, holding on despite running of the kerb on the inside of the corner.

Behind the fight at the front, Jeronimo Berrio had found a way past Mateo Villagomez to third, the two joining the lead duo in a four-car train.

Behind that group, race one winner Hugh Barter was making progress through the field, passing Souta Arao into Les Combes for seventh, before pulling off an audacious move on Alessandro Giusti around the outside through Blanchimont, taking sixth into the Bus Stop.

Barter tried unsuccessfully to execute the same move on Elliott Vayron a lap later. As the pair scrapped into the final corner, both lost ground allowing Arao back through to claim fifth at the flag.

Barter took sixth ahead of Vayron, and Dario Cabanelas got the better of Giusti to claim eighth at the flag.

Race result