Walker denies Baguette victory at Spa

In front of a large audience committed to his cause, Bertrand Baguette (Draco Racing) took pole position and took the lead ahead of Miguel Molina (Ultimate Motorsport), Charles Pic (Tech 1 Racing), James Walker (P1 Motorsport) and Daniil Move (P1 Motorsport). The Belgian leads the way while Miguel Molina must contain the attacks of Charles Pic. The latter is at the height of the Spaniard. He does not let himself be impressed and delays his braking as much as possible. Charles Pic has no other alternative than to cut the grass. The Tech 1 Racing driver did well, but fell to fifth place, while James Walker took the opportunity to dislodge Molina from second position.

At the same time, Adrian Valles (Epsilon Euskadi) and Chris Van der Drift (Epsilon Euskadi) collide, causing the safety car to come out. Bertrand Baguette is then first ahead of James Walker, Miguel Molina, Daniil Move, Charles Pic, Marco Barba (International Draco Racing), Marco Martinez (Pons Racing), Jaime Alguesuari (Carlin Motorsport), Oliver Turvey (Carlin Motorsport) and Pasquale di Sabatino (RC Motorsport).

Bertrand Baguette maintains his position at the green flag. Marcos Martinez goes wide at the Source hairpin, Oliver Turvey takes advantage and takes 7th place. Martinez then decides to make his obligatory stop immediately. James Walker and Charles Pic followed suit a lap later. Pic lost precious time with a stubborn front right wheel. Miguel Molina and Bertrand Baguette wait as long as possible to come in and change tires.

The Belgian public was waiting for Bertrand Baguette, but it was James Walker who took control of the race at the end of the refueling period. The Briton took advantage of an offbeat strategy and several clear laps during which he chained fast laps. James Walker is in the lead with 1??8 ahead of Bertrand Baguette, himself closely followed by Miguel Molina and Daniil Move.

James Walker's lead continues to grow, the P1 Motorsport driver takes off against Bertrand Baguette and Miguel Molina. Fourth, Daniil Move is dropped and must watch out for the return of Marcos Martinez, Jaime Alguersuari, Oliver Turvey and Marco Barba. The rain disrupts the last two laps. Oliver Turvey took advantage of this and surprised Jaime Alguersuari at Les Combes while Marco Barba spun off as he approached the Pouhon curve.

After a difficult start to the season, James Walker made up for it by winning for the first time this year ahead of Bertrand Baguette, twice second at home at Spa-Francorchamps. Miguel Molina also reached the podium for the second time this weekend. On the last lap, Oliver Turvey overtook Marcos Martinez and took 5th position. The Briton is first among the Rookies.

James Walker: “After a difficult weekend in Barcelona and our retirement yesterday, we needed this success. Initially we did not define a strategy. We refueled early and I was able to do six or seven laps absolutely on my own. This is where this victory was built. My season really starts today!”

Bertrand Baguette: “Victory was possible. But I lost time with the safety car and then during our pit stop changing the rear tires. However, it is a very good weekend from an accounting point of view. We got back on track well, we now have to take many points on all the circuits. »

Miguel Molina: “This podium is important. We got off to a good start, but I lost a lot of chances of victory during my episode with Charles Pic. The team worked well, it was a positive weekend. We are now focused on Monaco hoping to do better. »