Pole position, victory in both races and the fastest lap, the Easy Formula driver has had the perfect weekend.
The conditions for this third meeting of the Maxx Formula series are however far from easy. Indeed, the weather above the Czech circuit of Most has not stopped alternating between rain and sun, forcing drivers and mechanics to adapt the choice of tires and settings, each free practice session taking place in conditions different tracks.
Qualifications were on Saturday morning on a wet track. The pole position, especially important on the narrow circuit of Most, was hotly contested. Kurt Böhlen, Bernd Herndlhofer (both on Dallara GP2) and Christopher trading the best mark lap after lap. Finally, the Superleague Formula driver did the fastest lap in the closing moments of the session ahead of Böhlen and Herndlhofer. On the team’s second car, Gilles set the fourth fastest time.
The track seemed dry for the first race early Saturday afternoon. All the competitors started on slick tires to reach the starting grid. But while the portions of track visible from the pits were dry, the second section of the circuit was still covered with water. Gilles and a good half of the competitors rushed into the pit lane to switch to wet tires. Christopher decided to keep the slicks. A choice that turned out to be the right one. Struggling on the wet part at the start of the race, Christopher widened the gap in the dry part. Lap after lap, the circuit drying up, the French driver increased his pace to finish first with comfortable margin. Gilles, who had lost a little time at the start of the race following a spin, came back very strongly to finally finish fourth, while setting the second fastest time in the race!
The sun was definitely setting for the race on Sunday, and the spectators were not mistaken, there were nearly 10,000 around the Czech circuit on August 29.
Christopher negotiated the first chicane in first, but was passed by Herndlhofer on the first lap. He took over the lead on the next lap and kept it until the finish line. Like the day before, Gilles finished in fourth position.
With a flawless performance so far, Christopher prances ahead of the championship. He is followed by Gilles, whose fine consistency allows him to catch the runner-up position.
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