Lawson returns to success in France, Pourchaire on the podium at home

After a bad start, Liam Lawson recovered to take his second victory of the season. In front of his audience, Théo Pourchaire took the podium.

Published on 23/07/2022 à 18:48

Gonzalo Forbes

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Lawson returns to success in France, Pourchaire on the podium at home

Second victory of the season for Liam Lawson, winner of the Sprint Race in France. ©Red Bull Content Pool

After a series of 13 races without a victory, Liam Lawson is victorious again in F2. In the tough for several weeks, alternating between the good and the less good, the Carlin driver signed his 2e triumph of the season by winning the Sprint Race in France.

Liam Lawson went after this success on the Castellet track alone like a grown-up. Remaining glued to his position on the grid when the lights went out, the New Zealander quickly lost a position to the detriment of Marcus Armstrong (Hitech GP) thus finding himself 3rd. The Kiwi then took his patience to build his own race.

It was first Marcus Armstrong who paid the price in the 4th round. Aspirated by his compatriot, Liam Lawson surprised him braking at the northern chicane by passing him to the outside to gain 2nd place. Although helped by the DRS, the Carlin driver for a long time came up against the leader Jehan Daruvala (Prema) who never opened the door for him. Everything indicated that the race would continue like this until the checkered flag but the collision between Enzo Fittipaldi (Charouz) and Roberto Merhi (Campos) caused the Safety Car to enter the scene. A godsend for Liam Lawson who was finally in a good position to be able to attack the Indian.

Returning to contact with Jehan Daruvala, Liam Lawson did not miss his chance. Like facing Marcus Armstrong a few laps earlier, the New Zealander attacked his counterpart at the entrance to the North chicane for a muscular battle from which he emerged victorious with 6 laps remaining. On his momentum, the Carlin driver was no longer caught afterwards and was able to take the checkered flag first to celebrate for the 2nd time of the campaign.

Pursuit as an opportunist

4th for a long time and blocked by a recalcitrant Marcus Armstrong, Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) waited until the last laps to seize his opportunity. The Grassois took advantage of the crossover between the Kiwi and Jehan Daruvala in front of him to come back level with the duo. Well helped by the contact between the two men when braking at the North chicane, the Habs rose like an arrow and surprised Marcus Armstrong a few meters further, in the double right of Beausset.

Under the clamor from the stands of Paul-Ricard, Théo Pourchaire then resisted the return of Felipe Drugovich (MP Motorsport) who, despite the help of the DRS for 2 laps, never found an opening on him. If in the championship he only takes a small point from the Brazilian, the Frenchman has regained confidence with this podium in front of his audience. This bodes well for the Main Race this Sunday where the objective will be to come back from 5th place to hope to be on the box again and why not on the top step.

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Gonzalo Forbes

In charge of promotion formulas (F2, F3, FRECA, F4...). Carried by the grace of Franco Colapinto.

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