Home Formula 4French F4 Alesi dominates Ledenon opener

Alesi dominates Ledenon opener

by Valentin Khorounzhiy
Photo: Le Maine Libre / Autosport Academy

Photo: Le Maine Libre / Autosport Academy

Giuliano Alesi marked his first race in single-seaters with a victory as he prevailed in the French F4 2015 opener at Ledenon.

Having started from pole, Alesi enjoyed a trouble-free debut to finish more than five seconds clear of opposition.

After his getaway, the Frenchman was allowed to build up an advantage over his pursuers, with front row starter Kami Laliberte holding off sophomores Valentin Moineault and Axel Matus.

Moineault was finally past the Canadian rookie at halfway point, but Alesi was already several seconds in the clear.

Furthermore, the championship’s top returnee could not really make up any ground and had to settle for second.

Matus passed Laliberte soon after Moineault and brought the car home to record his maiden podium.

Laliberte found himself involved in a lengthy battle with Nerses Isaakyan, who eventually edged ahead. But both were overtaken by a charging Gabriel Aubry, who claimed fourth place after starting in tenth.

Julien Darras had to do with seventh, while Sacha Fenestraz made it up from 15th on the grid to eighth. Julien Andlauer and Alexey Korneev rounded out the top ten.

Korneev will be on pole for the reverse-grid race later today, while Alesi will head the field into battle in Sunday’s race three.

Race results
Pos. Driver Time/Gap
1 Giuliano Alesi 16 laps in 22:34.697
2 Valentin Moineault +5.609
3 Axel Matus +9.453
4 Gabriel Aubry +13.704
5 Nerses Isaakyan +14.936
6 Kami Laliberte +17.549
7 Julien Darras +18.614
8 Sacha Fenestraz +19.963
9 Julien Andlauer +21.543
10 Alexey Korneev +22.276
11 Louis Gachot +27.096
12 Reuben Kressner +27.613
13 Simo Laaksonen +31.742
14 Nikita Troitskiy +40.400
15 Hugo Sugnot-Darniche +42.495
16 Theophile Senegas +46.828
17 Michael Benyahia +47.558
18 Ye Yifei +1:06.836
19 Jose Sierra +1 lap