Drugovich qualifies on pole for Race 1 of MRF Challenge

ABU DHABI: Felipe Drugovich continued his strong run at the MRF Challenge 2017, dominating both the practice rounds, and the qualifying session for the first of the four races to be held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

With a comfortable cushion of 18 points, championship leader Drugovich beat Julien Falchero by 0.455 seconds in the first practice session on Thursday morning, before edging the French teenager again in the second session, albeit with the difference cut down to 0.258 seconds. He topped the qualifying session for Race 1 with a timing of 2:10:637, the only driver to keep it under the 2:11:000-mark.

Despite the domination, not all was in Drugovich’s favour, who admitted after the end of the session that his car’s bodywork had started to come off, making the slow corners a challenge.

“It was really hard out there as we were struggling with grip and some parts of the car. Julien (Falchero) was quick and it was fun to see us trading fastest laps. Starting on pole is always important so look forward to the race and hope to do my best,” he said.

Qualifying timings:

Felipe Drugovich 2:10.637; Julien Falchero 2:11.128; Alex Karsosik 2:11.182; Presley Martono 2:11.330; Louis Gachot 2:11.645; Nazim Azman 2:11.849; Manuel Maldonado 2:12.009; Danial Frost 2:12.093; Henning Enqvist 2:12.507; Michelangelo Ameldola 2:12.281; Rinus Van Kamthout 2:12.507; Harri Jones 2:12.549; Pavan Ravishanker 2:12.877; Pedra Putra Minang 2:12.904; Robert Megennis 2:12.943; Kurt Hill 2:13.550; Richard Wagner 2:14.085.