Daniil Kvyat takes the first win of the weekend at Spa Francorchamps. An eventful race where the safety car was forced to appear three times. A Indycar-style race, accidents, regrouping, restarts.
Russian driver already commented on qualifying press conference, he would go for the win, no matter that his teammate was on pole. The Russian was placed first with a great start ahead of Sainz, Daly did the same placing second. It seemed to start the fight of the first laps but a crash in the first corner between Webster and Zonzini made appear again the safety car. Remarkable as Sims (he started twelfth) recovered positions in each restart what end up placing him in the top six after the third safety car.
Excellent weather conditions, despite threatened rain, the race was entirely dry.
In the second restart, Kvyat handled perfectly to safe the position even though Daly was very brave, the Russian kept his position. This time Fong made a grave mistake sweeping away the swiss driver Niederhauser when he was trying to overtake other competitor. So back again to a safety car situation. Sims was going up in the positions. As Regalia, that gradually he became fifth. Both drivers had a duel in which Regalia emerged victorious and held Sims attacks.
After the restart Daly would use it to get as close as possible to Kvyat and try to have a overtake attempt in which both drivers very clean made a great offensive and defensive maneuver at the end of Eau Rouge straight they touch on the brakes wheel to wheel. Sainz try to take advantage of the failure of Daly fighting for second place but could not be possible. From there Kvyat was doing fastest laps, lap after lap opening enough gap with the other competitors.
Carlos Sainz and Harvey afforded a great duel, again ART and MW Arden battle. Harvey, in a move similar to Daly against Kvyat, was situated wheel to wheel trying to pass Carlos Sainz. He got to be in front of the spaniard in the straight maximun velocity but not enough. He tried to close the door to Carlos so early and this situation produced that both cars touch each other and make friction wheel to wheel that would make Harvey’s car lost control and crash violently with the walls. ART team would have to repair the car completely, the rear axle assembly was totally separated from the chassis.
Both drivers are well after the accident and Jack Harvey has apologized personally and publicly to Carlos Sainz for this situation, a gentleman. Tomorrow they will start race in the back of the grid, it is expected a good fight overtaking to get upper positions.
After this accident, it was necessary to use the safety car again so positions are without changes, there were only four laps to go, the Argentine Facu Regalia showed happy with third place after the unexpected outcome on qualifying session in the morning
Ellinas got a big price, 8th position, despite his result during this race because after a good battle with Visoiu. Ellinas got this way second pole position. He will try to regain the championship lead now in the hands of Regalia. Korjus the other contender for the championship has finished the race fourth
Tomorrow the fight for the championship will continue with the next race, it will be 9.25, strategy and pit stops could be key if rains appears.