Lando Norris was in sublime form once again as he led from lights out to the chequered flag in race two of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 event at Paul Ricard on Sunday.
Having started from pole position, the Josef Kaufmann Racing driver retained the lead at the start despite the close attention of Max Defourny at turn one, and was never troubled thereafter as he steadily pulled away.
Norris ultimately clinched victory at the end of the thirteen lap race by 4.050 from Defourny, who was forced to battle hard with Dorian Boccolacci throughout the race, with the duo switching places twice on the opening lap, with the Tech 1 Racing driver trailing the R-ace GP driver by 0.300 at the chequered flag.
Gabriel Aubry claimed his best finish of the season so far as he took fourth, also for Tech 1 Racing, ahead of team-mate Sacha Fenestraz and Fortec Motorsports’ Ferdinand Habsburg, with both Fenestraz and Habsburg having moved ahead of Jehan Daruvala of Josef Kaufmann Racing at the start.
Daruvala managed to clinch seventh ahead of the final Tech 1 Racing entry of Hugo de Sadeleer, but Harrison Scott will be kicking himself after finishing ninth, having been running in a comfortable fourth place for AVF by Adrian Vallés only to spin and lose ground with just a handful of laps remaining.
Race 1 podium finisher Will Palmer completed the top ten for R-ace GP after an enjoyable battle with Robert Shwartzman.
But no one was on Norris’ level, as he clinched the rookie championship with four races to spare, and now is eyeing the main title as he sits 29.5 points ahead of Defourny with only the double headers at Spa-Francorchamps and Estoril to come.
Paul Ricard Race 2 Result
[table id=1421 /]
