Saidy takes first win in 5 years
With an impressive performance Rami Saidy has taken his first win in 5 years. The last time he was on the top step of the podium was at exactly this place in 1994, driving for Ferrari.
Key to the win was the end of lap 1, where he could get past pole man Kederer on the straight just before the final chicane. From then on he kept it until the end. The Benettons swapped places, as did Foro and Utzer. In lap 7 Utzer attempted to pass Lintner, but they made contact and spun, dropping them to the end of the field. Two laps later the race was over for Buurlage, he had to stop his car with a water leak. After the first round of pitstops Saidy was still leading, now ahead of Hunsley, who got past Kederer during the stops. They were followed by Keranen, Poirier and Néron. In lap 34 Black crashed out in the final chicane. Said collected some of the debris, resulting in a puncture which ended his race as well. 2 laps later Goddard retired with a blown engine.
The 3 stoppers now came in for their 2nd stops, what promoted Poirier to 2nd, Foro to 3rd and Engberink to 4th. Hunsley and Kederer were behind them. In lap 43 Keranen threw away a possible points result, spinning off in turn 1 and dropping to last place. Drama for Poirier just ahead of the last round of pitstops, his engine blew up, causing him to retire from 2nd in his home race. The final stops came, and Saidy still led comfortably. Hunsley was back in 2nd, with Foro in 3rd and Engberink in 4th. Kederer dropped to 5th, just ahead of Utzer, who after his early spin had worked back to the points. Being clearly faster, he took 5th from Kederer in lap 61 with ease. With 3 laps to go Ancevski had to pit from 7th due to problems with the brakes, what dropped him to 16th.
FIA Press Conference
@mystaaRS: The (probably) long awaited win, the kick-start for your season?
@Jack Hunsley: Back on the podium after an unfortunate Spanish GP, what was the key to this result today?
@XenForo: Second now in the standings, is a top 3 in the end the aim?
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