In the opening French F4 race of the weekend, it was Giuliano Alesi who won by just over a second after taking the lead on the first lap and never looking back. However; it wasn’t an easy race for the son of ex-Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi.
The first start was abandoned after Axel Matus stalled at the end of the warm up. Valentin Moineault was once again the man to beat in qualifying and had started on pole in front of the Spanish crowd. A good start by Alesi saw him take an early lead with Julien Andlauer chasing.
Moineault had fallen to third and was forced to defend from Gabriel Aubry trying to make the move in the first lap. While the back of grid drivers tussled for position.
Within the first 2 laps, the top two had broken away as Alesi looked to reignite his championship chances. It was clear Moineault was struggling as Aubry continued to put the pressure on the series leader, but he was never able to make the pass.
With 7 laps to go, Andlauer was forced to pull off after the car experienced a number of techincal issues, putting pay to what would have been only his second podium of the year.
Further back, in fifth place, Nerses Isaakyan found himself under pressure from Sacha Fenestraz, and soon fell fowl to the Frenchman. Issakyan then spun a few corners later falling towards the back and out of the points.
With 3 laps to go, Aubry and Moineault had managed to catch Alesi, whose advantage had decreased since the pressure was relieved from him. However; no move was made, allowing Alesi to take his third win of the year.
Kami Laliberte picked up fourth after a lonely race with Fenestraz and Julien Darras behind, continuing their consistent form.
Meanwhile an intense battle for seventh came to head on the final lap. Reuben Kressner held on while Simo Laaksonen, who had been running behind, spun in last few corners, dropping him out of contention and allowing the others, who had been challenging, to get promoted.
Isaakyan had recovered from his spin to take eighth in front of the Chinese driver Ye Yifei and British driver Louis Gachot who recovered after a poor start.
