Smolyar converts his pole into victory, Martins comes back on Hadjar

Perfect Sunday for Alexander Smolyar (MP Motorsport) at the Hungaroring. Author of his first pole position of the season on Friday, the Russian performed very well in the Main Race to take victory, his first since Paul-Ricard in June 2021.

Starting in the wet, Alexander Smolyar was not trapped by the capricious conditions unlike many of his comrades who lost places as soon as the lights went out. His car is very well set up for a wet tarmac, like his teammate Caio Collet, winner the day before the Sprint, the Russian had no trouble setting his own pace. On a soggy Hungaroring at the start of the game, the MP Motorsport driver quickly distanced himself from Zane Maloney (Trident) and Ollie Bearman (Prema) who were never able to keep up with the man racing under a neutral banner this year.

Not hampered by a drying bitumen at the end of the race, Alexander Smolyar was able to complete the 24 laps of the Main Race in the lead to claim his first victory in over a year. On the line, he beat Zane Maloney who miraculously held off Ollie Bearman, 3rd, just 35 thousandths behind the Trident driver.

Hadjar-Martins, ranged battle

Leader by 1 point ahead of Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) thanks to his 4th place in the Sprint Race this Saturday, Isack Hadjar (Hitech GP) did not have the best Main Race of his career. Trapped at the start, the Ile-de-France resident lost 12 places and found himself in 22nd position. Going back for a while to the 19th century, the member of Red Bull Junior then had great difficulty continuing his momentum.

Stuck and lacking pace, Isack Hadjar decided to imitate on the 19th lap Juan Manuel Correa (ART Grand Prix) or Zak O’Sullivan (Carlin) who had put on slick tires a few moments before. If for the American and the British the bet worked since they finished 6th and 4th, for the Habs this was not the case. Passing through the pit lane a little later, he was unable to move up sufficiently in the standings, finishing 18th.

Very well on his side to regain the lead of the championship during the setbacks of Isack Hadjar, Victor Martins experienced a disastrous end to the Main Race. Long 6th and provisionally sole leader of the Driver classification, the Frenchman was unable to do anything in the final laps. In difficulty on the drying bitumen, the ART Grand Prix driver fell down the rankings and crossed the line in 10th position, winning the last point at stake after having left the Top 10 for a while. A point which allows him to return to the level of Isack Hadjar in the championship. The two compatriots are now tied on points with 104 on each side. Arthur Leclerc (Prema) remains 3rd, 9 lengths behind the Tricolores.

The complete ranking