American Newcomer Egozi Takes Both Wins In Austria

PHM Racing driver James Egozi wins the weekend at the Red Bull Ring in his first-ever ACCR Czech Formula race. [image © Petr Frybl]

Different weekend, same procedure – again one driver dominated the ACCR Czech Formula round at the Red Bull Ring securing victories on Saturday and Sunday

PHM Racing driver James Egozi (ITA) celebrated a dominant victory in his first-ever ACCR Czech Formula race.

In Saturday’s race, the American driving with an Italian license, who started from Pole Position, capitalized on the rolling start behind the Safety Car – due to expected rain – and fought of Michael Sauter (SUI) in the early stages of the race. Egozi then gradually pulled away from the pack to cruise to his maiden triumph in this new Formula 4 championship for Central and Eastern Europe. “Coming here and immediately winning the first race is simply amazing. I don’t know what to say,” the US teenager was overwhelmed.

PHM teammate Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (THA) also disposed of Sauter to complete a 1-2 finish for the German outfit that only made its debut in the series. Behind the duo, Jenzer Motorsport driver Reno Francot (NED) earned himself another spot on the podium coming third. The Dutchman came awfully close to Bhirombhakdi in the final stages of the race, however, had too little time on the clock to attack.

While Mathias Bjerre Jakobsen (DEN) showed a solid run to P5, his Jenzer colleague, Ethan Ischer (SUI), who went into the weekend leading the championship, could not be content with sixth place. Nikolas Taylor (GBR) and Jiri Safranek (CZE) representing home team Renauer Motorsport finished on P7 and P8 respectively, while Oliver Michl (HUN, Gender Racing) and Miroslav Mikes (CZE, SAPE Motorsport) rounded off the field.

On Sunday, Egozi made it two wins in 24 hours in Spielberg. Starting from Pole again, he stayed out of all trouble and checked out. Battling for P2, Bhirombhakdi sent Sauter wide in Turn 4, while Ischer was pushed off by Francot. As the pair ended up stranded in the gravel, the Safety Car was called on. At the restart, Egozi made no mistake and easily defended his lead, while Francot outsmarted Bhirombhakdi in Turn 4 to move into second. That way the order remained until the chequered flag. “What a weekend! I want to thank my team and everybody else who has supported me,” the PHM Racing driver was all smiles.

Further down the field, Michl decided a three-way-battle for P5 in his favour ahead of Taylor and Safranek. Newcomer Mikes crossed the line in P8. After the race, Bhirombhakdi was handed a 30 second penalty for forcing a driver off the track and Mikes a 5 second one for track limits.

ACCR Czech Formula returns with round 3 on June 9-11 at the Slovakiaring.

RacingNation Crew

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