Matthieu Vaxiviere clinched only his second victory of the season, and the first for SMP Racing in the dry, during Saturday’s first race at the Red Bull Ring.
The Frenchman seemed to overcome the tyre degradation issues that have blighted his season to date at the Austrian circuit, and after jumping pole sitter Louis Deletraz at the start, secured his second triumph of 2016 despite his Swiss rival coming back at him and finishing on his tail.
Unfortunately Vaxiviere could not repeat the feat on Sunday, falling away from podium contention and ultimately finished sixth, and now is fifth in the standings, 59 points behind championship leader and fellow Frenchman Tom Dillmann with three rounds and six races remaining of the season.
“We have been able to solve some problems we had in the past with the car,” said Vaxiviere on formulav8.com. “I was happy about the car but we still have to work [to do], since Louis could catch me at the beginning of the race, even if I was quicker.
“In the middle of the race I could manage my advantage, also playing with DRS. I’m really happy for me and for the team, as after Spa win under the rain, this is our victory on [a] dry track.”
