Flying Dutchmen in Zandvoort

As the weekend was coming to an end our SMP F4 NEZ drivers had two races to complete before they could get some well deserved rest after an intensive weekend of action. The weather was clear for the final day of racing. The attendance was expected to be between 40-50.000 people, so our drivers got to drive in front of a packed house once again.

Sunday started with the 18 minutes + 1 lap race. From P1 Jarno Opmeer held his position while Richard Verscoor dropped to P3 after Roope Markkanen overtook him at the start for P2. From there on Verschoor put the pressure on the young Finn, as Markkanen defended his position. As the battle for P2 was heating up, Alexander Vartanyan closed the gap and joined in the podium battle, catching the leaders. As Verschoor was going for a move on Roope Markkanen, the young Red Bull Junior driver made a mistake which cost him some time and also gave Vartanyan the chance to overtake for the third step of the podium.

Between the races some of the drivest took part in an autograph signing session while some of the drivers relaxed and prepared for the final race of the weekend.

Sunday ended with the 25 minutes + 1 lap race. The race saw a very close, exciting start as Jarno Opmeer immediately challenged for P1 but this time Richard Verschoor got a good start and he kept his lead. Vladimir Tziortzis got a very bad start and dropped to the back of the grid. Alexander Vartayan found himself in P2 after he managed to overtake Opmeer who dropped to P3.

The first laps were full of drama as Gleb Zotov spun his car which caused a yellow, while a few laps later the Safety Car came in as Artem Slutskii made a mistake that caused him to drift in to the gravel, forcing him to retire from the race.

At the restart, Verschoor got himself a healthy gap ahead of Vartanyan and the rest of the pack. But Artem Petrov and Tuomas Tujula had a huge accident which caused another Safety Car to be deployed. Both of the drivers came out of their cars unharmed but the race ended behind the safety car, with Richard Verschoor taking his second win of the season.

The 2016 SMP F4 NEZ Championship certified by FIA next stop will be on Moscow Raceway on 22-23-24 of July

”For sure it was a perfect way to end the weekend. I am very happy with my performaces in Quali and in that last race, but I still have to be consistent with my starts,” said Richard Verschoor after Race 3.

“It was really hard race with Richard but after his mistake I managed to have some breathing room to take my first podium in the championship,” commented Roope Markkanen.

“The weekend was really good, the qualification could have been better, but I scored important points again on this Round and I am nont planing to stop here,” said Jarno Opmeer after Race 3.