F4 France: Masson and Capietto go blow for blow

Two young men for a championship title, this could be the slogan of the poster for the last F4 France meeting, which will be held in Magny-Cours (Nièvre) on October 23-24. After this round at Castellet (Var), it is Macéo Capietto who is in the lead with 7 units ahead of his rival Esteban Masson. Except that the FFSA deducts the worst meeting of each driver to determine their final ranking. And with this situation, it is Masson who is in a better position to win the title, thanks to his 4 points lead. Faced with the rise in power of Capietto in recent weeks, Masson had to react at Paul-Ricard. The Franco-Canadian remained in two complicated meetings and got back on track on Friday by taking the two pole positions of the meeting. But his redemption was short-lived since the next day, in C1, it was Macéo Capietto who won thanks to a great comeback.

© KSP Reports

Later in the day, Race 2 on a reverse grid was not going to help matters for Masson. Party 9^e, he had nevertheless made a superb start which allowed him to complete the first lap 5^e, when Capietto was stuck in traffic at 10^e rank. But he made an improbable blunder: he returned to the pits one lap before the end! “ I was super focused and two laps before, I saw the timer which indicated “2 rounds remaining”. On the last lap, the yellow flags were waving, and everyone was slowing down. I really thought I was in the deceleration lap! It's a costly mistake and proof that I still have a lot to learn », he admitted. Capietto took the opportunity to finish 5^e while taking the points from the 4^e place since the winner, Elliott Vayron who had dazzled the meeting in Monza (Italy) a week earlier, did not score points in the championship (guest pilot. Editor’s note).

Esteban Masson © KSP Reportages

On Sunday, after his mistake the day before, Masson managed to get his head back on track by winning Race 3 from pole. At the first corner, Capietto passed from 4^e the 2^e place thanks to a supersonic flight. But lacking rhythm thereafter, the son of the technical director of Prema was passed by Alessandro Giusti, then Hugh Barter. He finished 4^e and gave orders back to Masson for four units.

At Magny-Cours, teenagers aged 15 and 16 will experience their first moments of intense pressure, the kind that make the atmosphere unbreathable and reveal the great drivers. At stake: a championship title and the 100 euro purse that goes with it.