Florescu takes second victory with Pull third at Brands

Carlin’s Petru Florescu took his second victory of the weekend today in the opening round of the 2016 Ford MSA Formula Championship.  In a repeat of Saturday’s race one, Florescu led from lights to flag, making the most of his pole position.  Team mate James Pull once again joined him on the podium, chalking up a trio of third place finishes at Brands Hatch.  Max Fewtrell had little chance to recover from a difficult start and crossed the line seventh, just ahead of Devlin DeFrancesco in eighth.

Starting from pole for the second time this weekend, Florescu had to defend from the outset, with a fast starting Luis Leeds challenging for the lead into Paddock Hill bend.  The Carlin man put in a determined effort to main his place while behind him James Pull had held onto third.  Fewtrell had a tricky start to his final race of the weekend, dropping a couple of places from fourth on the grid to sixth just ahead of DeFrancesco who remained seventh.

The early signs were that the final race of the weekend was going to be a close one, with each of the Carlin drivers fighting their own battles.  Pull was chasing Leeds hard for second place, while DeFrancesco was under attack from Fielding.  The second year driver managed to make his way though a few laps later, relegating DeFrancesco to eighth.

Fewtrell was next to defend from Fielding, but that didn’t stop the young Carlin man trying to make up his own positions as he challenged Quinn in front.  In the middle of a close gaggle of cars, Fewtrell held his ground well, but finally lost the position to Fielding on lap 22.

Pull meanwhile had been handed a five second penalty for track limits, which despite him running third on the road placed him fifth on the timing screens.  Pull drove a mature race to understand the importance of building a bigger gap and pushed hard as the race entered the final stages.

At the chequered flag, Florescu had done enough to fend off the ever present Leeds to take his second victory of the weekend and an early championship lead.  Pull had duly picked up the pace and created enough of a gap back to fourth place to claim his third podium of the weekend, regardless of his time penalty.  Fewtrell took more points for seventh and DeFrancesco eighth.

Speaking about the weekend, Florescu said, “I think this was a good weekend; I had my first win yesterday, and was able to do the same again today.  I want to thank the team for giving me a great car.  My goal is to win the championship. This is my second year and I have a good car.  That’s the only goal.”

Speaking about his fight against the clock after being handed a five second penalty, Pull said, “I was given a penalty for track limits; I went off a couple of times at Graham Hill bend and saw the warning flag.  I tried to stay as consistent as I could and then towards the end when I saw the push sign over the pit wall from the boys I knew the podium was on the line.  I didn’t want to give it up so I pushed hard.  Three third places from the weekend isn’t a bad start.  I’m happy for Petru as well; the team are very strong so that makes me happy and give me confidence as well.”

The MSA Formula drivers will be back out in action for the second event on the calendar at Donington from 15 – 17 April.