Sato stretches Euroformula lead with sixth win at Hungaroring

Photo: Fotospeedy

Marino Sato took his sixth Euroformula Open win of the season in the second Hungaroring race, befitting from startline problems for his rivals.

Red Bull juniors Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda both tumbled down the order as the lights went out, while a strong start from Sato enabled him to pass poleman Nobuharu Matsushita before the first corner.

From then on it was a game of cat-and-mouse between the two Japanese drivers, with Sato upping his pace every time Matsushita threatened to close in.

A mid-race safety car, caused by Julian Hanses crashing out after hitting debris, failed to assist Matsushita as Sato was too strong on the restart. Teo Martin Motorsport’s Lukas Dunner also had Matsushita under pressure throughout, and by finishing third he’s moved into second place in the standings.

Matsushita?s Carlin team-mate took his best result of the season in fourth place, comfortably clear of rookie class winner Linus Lundqvist of Double R Racing. RP Motorsport?s Javier Gonzalez did lead the rookie classification for much of the race, until a grassy moment resulted in him losing his front wing, which ultimately ended Hanses’ race.

Teppei Natori (Carlin) and Jack Doohan (Double R) completed the rookie podium in sixth and seventh, ahead of the sole Fortec Motorsports car of Calan Williams, Carlin?s Nicolai Kjaergaard and Lawson.? The single point for Lawson is of significance, given he and title-fighting team-mate Tsunoda will be absent from the next round.

Race results (19 laps)