They might have started the day on equal points but tonight Sweden’s Pierre Lundin is the toast of the Maconnais – Beaujolais wine region after not only winning the UIM F2 Grand Prix of France but also securing enough points to reclaim his World Championship title in the process after his title rival Erik Edin crashed out just eleven laps into the fifty five lap race.
As the start the light went out Edin once again made the perfect start and quickly opened up a gap over Lundin who had started back in fifth place. Around the short course on the River Saone the action was fast and frenetic as the eighteen drivers battled their way through the choppy condition. Amongst the early retirements was Mette B. Bjerknæs, who had started from third place on the grid. Just seven laps in her Moore hull hit a wash and flew through the air. “I saw the wash but it was too late” said the Norwegian driver. “As the boat landed I knew something had broken because I lost my power-steering, it was impossible to continue so I had to pull off the course. Yes, I’m a little bit disappointed but qualifying shows that I’m beginning to master this hull.”
Moments later the destiny of the 2016 world championship title was decided when the leading drivers began to lap the field. As Edin approached the top turn the door was firmly closed on him by the Abu Dhabi Team driver Rashed Al Tayer and over he went. “And suddenly my world championship dream became a nightmare” said Edin.
Next on the scene was Lundin who really couldn’t believe his luck. “My first thoughts were Yes! I had a hunch before we arrived in Macon that if I won the race here and Erik came second, even if he won the last round in Portugal I would still be champion on count back. Am I satisfied I’m not sure because I would rather beat him whilst he’s on the water rather than in it.”
As the Grand Prix was nearing the final laps Britain’s Matt Palfreyman miss judged the bottom turn and took out both turn buoys. In doing so he was instantly disqualified from the race. As the officials were replacing the marks the laps were quickly being counted down and as they approached the fifty fifth laps the UIM Commissioner had little option but to add a further five laps onto the race after a new rule was introduced to make sure the race was not concluded under a yellow flag situation. With the course now back to normal the race was back under way but it didn’t last long after Konstantin Ustinov clashed with Owen Jelf at the top turn. The Russian New Star driver had been in third place but eventually went the way of the Lithuanian driver Edgaras Riabko. “We came here just to collect some world championship points, I really didn’t think it would be twelfth” he said as he stepped down from the podium.
Just ahead of him was the Abu Dhabi driver Rashid Al Qamzi, who secured the teams best ever result in F2. “Al Qamzi has the potential to be the first UAE driver to win the F2 World Championship” said his team principal Guido Cappellini. “He has the speed and he has the strength to succeed, all we need to work on now is his mental ability to be a winner.”
As Pierre Lundin headed off to celebrate his World Championship title success, all thoughts now turned to the final round of the series taking place next month in Ribadouro, Portugal. Would the Swede be making the long trip south. “Of course we will be there” he said. “I and my whole team just love racing F2.”
