Van Langendonck takes FWinter Series title with round to spare

Photo: Gedlich Racing

Dries Van Langendonck took the Formula Winter Series title with a round to spare by winning the third race at Motorland Aragon.

The Rodin Motorsport driver put himself in a strong position to clinch the crown by taking pole, qualifying on pole with a 0.377-second gap to team-mate Alfie Slater in second place.

US Racing’s Arjen Kraling and Van Amersfoort Racing’s Thomas Bearman trailed by 0.549s and 0.556s respectively, and the only other drivers within a second of pole were Ethan Lennon (Rodin) and Olexandar Savinkov (US). Ary Bansal (US) qualified ninth, and fellow title outsider Alexander Ruta (VAR) did not set any laptimes so missed the race and exited title contention.

Kraling swept to the inside to take second at the opening corner of the race, with Bearman algo getting past Slater but losing out to him at turn three.

AS Motorsport’s Ginevra Panzeri went off with front damage, and Bearman reclaimed third down the back straight before a full course yellow period was called for. Drivers were four-wide into turn 16 at the time, but then got into formation.

Racing resumed on lap three, with Savinkov, VAR’s Pedro Lima and Bansal ahead of Lennon. Savinkov passed Slater into turn 16, and on the next lap Kraling went down Van Langendonck’s inside at turn one to take the lead. The title was seemingly settled a few corners later, as Bansal was sent spinning off into a the gravel after a clash with Lima. VAR’s Platon Kostin also had an off, while US’s Noah Killion and Cram Motorsport’s Max Kammerlander spun at turn 16.

The safety car returned, and Lima was now sixth ahead of Lennon, Jenzer Motorsport’s Teodor Borenstein and AKM Motorsport’s George Proudford-Nalder.

Before the lap seven restart, Lima crashed into Slater’s rear at turn 16 and it put Lennon into fifth. Lennon got alongside Bearman through the first half of lap eight, eventually getting past at turn nine. Savinkov had already overtaken Bearman and sat third, and Bearman got back into fourth at turn two next time by before the safety car reappeared due to Borenstein crashing out.

Cram’s Alexandre Louza then stopped at the final corner, meaning racing did not resume until lap 12. Van Langendonck was quick to attack, then Bearman got involved and took second into turn eight. Lennon joined the lead fight, but Savinkov got back past him down the back straight. They swapped places again into turn 16, and Jenzer’s Levi Arn passed Slater.

The fighting culminated on the last lap. Kraling made a mistake at turn four, and Bearman attempted passing him on the outside of turn seven. He was sent off slightly, then Kraling had his own off at turn 12. He rejoined alongside Bearman, and Van Langendonck made it three-wide going onto the back straight.

The McLaren junior took the lead, and covered the inside line. Bearman shot past on the outside at turn 16 but ran too deep into the hairpin and Van Langendonck led again. Lennon overtook Kraling for third, and AKM’s Vittorio Orsini crashed out. Lima got multiple penalties but was already out of the points positions.

Race results (14 laps)