Goethe fluffs his start to deny GP gold
EUROFORMULA OPEN PAU (FRA)
7-8 MAY ROUND 2/9
The Pau Grand Prix weekend belonged to Oliver Goethe, in almost its entirety. The Motopark driver was unbeaten in free practice, qualifying and Saturday’s race on the street circuit’s return after two years out, but when it came to the start of Sunday’s race – the GP itself – he was slower off the line than those behind, and within four seconds had passed up the opportunity to win.
Formula 4 graduate Vlad Lomko, driving for the Cryptotower team run with Motopark’s engineering expertise, had been pipped to pole by Goethe and took the lead at the start. From there on he was never challenged, and the French-licensed Russian claimed a historic maiden Euroformula Open win ahead of team-mate and Saturday race runner-up Christian Mansell.
Goethe dropped behind Mansell, Josh Mason and Filip Ugran on the tractionsapping dust at Gare, the first proper corner, but did still make the podium to keep a 19-point series lead. First Mason crashed out at the Foch chicane, while Van Amersfoort Racing’s Ugran did all he could to resist Goethe, but succumbed to a brilliant diving move at the Buisson hairpin.
Chilean ex-british F4 racer Nico Pino qualified and finished fifth, after crashing out of race one in a collision with Motopark’s Frederick Lubin at Gare. Pino was Drivex’s only competitor – Alex Peroni’s sponsors chose to focus on his sportscar commitments following his EFO appearance at the Estoril opener.