It was a weekend to remember for Charles Milesi as the 16-year-old got his season back on the right path, thanks to a win and two further podiums at Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. After a three month gap the drivers reconvened for the final stretch of the French F4 Championship.
Arthur Rougier went into the round as the series leader but, for the first time this year, failed to pick up a single podium all round, allowing Victor Martins to close the gap to 28 points.
Elsewhere, it was a strong start to the weekend for Marvin Klien, picking up his maiden win as South Africa’s Stuart White continued his strong run with a maiden pole position, win and further podium taking him up to fifth in the standings. Solid weekends were also had from Hugo Chavalier and Christian Munoz.
Qualifying
Pole: Stuart White
Having got used to the dry track on Friday, many drivers had to relearn the circuit on Saturday with rain sprinkling the circuit just as the drivers went out. It soon turned into a two horse race with Victor Martins setting the initial pace with Stuart White.
A storming last lap from White saw him grab pole by over half a second with Martins taking the race one pole after setting the second fastest time. Behind them, it was a solid third from Charles Milesi with Christian Munoz the only other driver within a second of the polesitter. Hugo Chevalier took fifth.
Marvin Klien took his maiden win at Magny-Cours during race one (Credit: KSP / FFSA)
Race 1
Winner: Mavin Klien
With the wet weather persisting into the afternoon, it soon became a question of who could adapt best. Marvin Klien, who had been fifth on the grid struggled away, but fought back throughout to quickly take the lead.
Klien would break away from Victor Martins, who despite starting on pole had not been the quickest during the race, holding off stiff opposition from him rivals, who soon found themselves demoted. This allowed Martins to hang on to second with Charles Milesi making the most of the shenanigans to claim third.
Behind them, Arthur Rougier took fourth, despite leading for part of the part of the race. His result ensured that the points lost to Martins was not significant, with Hugo Chavalier holding on for fifth from Christian Munoz who had also been in the lead battle early on.
Race 2
Winner: Stuart White
While Sunday brought drier conditions, it did not bring any less of an exciting race as Stuart White battled his way from fourth to take the lead in the opening laps. From there, he pulled away from the opposition to claim his maiden win in the series.
With the top ten reversed for the second race, many would not have suspected Charles Milesi (having started eighth) to be much of a factor. Though the on-form 16-year-old blasted past many of the opposition to take second from Hugo Chevalier in the dying laps.
Behind them, focus was on the championship leaders, though it prove to be an opportunity for Arthur Rougier as Victor Martins lost his front wing in the opening corner. Rougier went on to take fourth, even though a higher position could have been on the table. Rounding out the top six was Florian Venturi and Christian Munoz.
Charles Milesi was a feature on all three podiums taking the win in the final (Credit: KSP / FFSA)
Race 3
Winner: Charles Milesi
As tradition, the fastest times from qualifying made up the final grid, with race two winner Stuart White on pole. Sadly for the South African, double success would not be on the cards as he lost the lead to Victor Martins off the start.
With Charles Milesi joining the fight, it soon became a three way scrap for the lead as Milesi edged his way through, pulling away towards the end. Martins soon found himself on the backfoot, though would hold on to second as White held off Hugo Chevalier for another podium finish.
Championship leader Arthur Rougier knew that a strong result was critical, with Martins starting up front. He finished fifth, but a trophy-less weekend has seen his lead damaged. It could have been worse having overtaken the consistent Christian Munoz, who recorded his third sixth place in a row.
Championship Points after Round 5
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