Matevos Isaakyan leapt to the top of the World Series Formula V8 3.5 standings after a strong weekend at the Nurburgring, with a win and a second place across the two races.
The SMP Racing by AVF driver made a great start from third place on the grid during Saturday’s opening race to jump into the lead, and was able to avoid mistakes and take his second victory of the year by 6.357 seconds from Alfonso Celis Jr.
“It all happened at the start, I was able to find a clean space and I went for the lead,” said Isaakyan on worldseriesv8.com. “From that moment on I just had to keep my pace and not make mistakes.
“It was a great result with a win and 25 heavy points for the championship.”
Despite finishing second on Sunday in mixed weather conditions, Isaakyan rued the mistake that cost him a double victory, with a trip across the turn one gravel trap allowing Alex Palou to claim his maiden triumph in just his second race.
The Russian driver had jumped into the lead after making an early stop for tyres, which was at the perfect time to change from wet tyres to slicks, but it all unravelled at turn one not long after, but the result meant he takes a five point advantage to the next round in Mexico City.
“To be honest I just have the regret for the mistake I made and that cost me the lead of the race,” said Isaakyan. “The team did a great job in the pit-stop, switching to slick tyres, and the time for the call was perfect.
“Let’s see how the next three rounds will go, as the standings are really tight, but it’s nice to look down from the top.”
