Taponen converts Hungaroring FREC pole to victory

Photo: Dutch Photo Agency

Tuukka Taponen led from lights to flag ahead of a frantic battle for second in the opening Formula Regional European Championship race of the weekend at the Hungaroring.

Taponen was comfortably ahead of the field throughout the race, rarely less than a second ahead of team-mate Zachary David in P2. As the battle for the runner-up position tightened in the closing stages of the race, Taponen extended that gap to 3.142s to take his second win of the season.

David spent most of the race in second but came under pressure in the closing stages of the race. Brando Badoer got a poor start but managed to stay in third ahead of Enzo Deligny and Alessandro Giusti.

Late in the race, Badoer tried to find a way past David, sending them both side by side. Delegny joined the fight and was sent wide, which then allowed the two cars behind to also join the fight.

As Badoer battled to stay in third, David was able to pull away slightly, just edging out to a second ahead of the fight for third to take his second consecutive second-place finish.

A challenging qualifying had left Camara eighth on the grid, and the championship leader spent much of the race trying to get ahead of Enzo Giltaire. Giltaire fought well, but Camara eventually came through to take sixth and join the fight at the front of the field.

After the wide moment for Deligny, Camara moved up to fourth and was pushing Badoer hard on the final lap, only to run out of laps before he could attempt a move. Giusti finished fifth, ahead of Deligny and Giltaire.

Enzo Peugeot spent the entire race battling to stay ahead of James Wharton. On a number of occasions, Wharton was able to slip ahead, only for Peugeot to get back ahead by the end of the corner. The pair were separated by 0.384s at the chequered flag. Ugo Ugochukwu at times looked ready to take advantage of any mistake from the battling duo, but finished some three seconds back in 10th.

Race result (19 laps)