Round two of the Formula Regional Championship at Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, started on Thursday with two 2 hour test sessions for our 3 drivers. The action really got underway on Friday with 2 practice sessions.

Although… The drivers had to wait a little bit longer, because the first practice session got cancelled due to bad weather. With the tragic events of last year still fresh in mind, we fully agree with this decision. Luckily it stopped raining in the afternoon which meant FP2 went on as planned. Our drivers showed some promising pace with a P3 for Noah, P18 for Edgar and a P20 for Giovanni.

On Saturday it was time for Q1 and Race 1. Noah confirmed his great form at this track, with a P2 in his qualifying group! A slower time in Group A meant a P3 for Noah, his best qualifying so far. Edgar and Giovanni were able to qualify in P17 and P27 respectively for Race 1.

The race did not start well for Giovanni as his car had mechanical problems and stalled during the formation lap. Despite a chaotic first lap of Race 1, Noah and Edgar were able to maintain P3 and P17. With 11 minutes to go, Noah was able to pass David for P2 at the end of Kemmel Straight. But Noah was on the hunt for more, because with 7 minutes to go he passed Bilinski for the lead of the race! Noah tried to get away in the lead but he was not able to do so and got passed by Camara with 2 laps to go. A late lunge on the last lap of the race almost saw him back in the lead, but it was not enough and just +0.129s separated Noah from winning. Unfortunately for Edgar his race ended while driving in the Top-20 with 2 minutes to go due to car problems.

Later in the evening we got the news that Noah had received a 2 place drop penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.

Spa (BEL) MAY 23-26, 2024 – Second round of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2024 at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps. Noah STROMSTED #57, RPM. © 2024 Dutch Photo Agency.

On Sunday it was time to go again with a Q2 in the morning and Race 2 in the late afternoon. Noah again showed his great pace during qualifying, but this time he managed to qualify P6. Edgar was able to put together a good lap, which meant a P18 start in Race 2. Giovanni will start Race 2 from P26 on the grid.

A great start and first lap by Noah saw him jump from P6 to P4, while Edgar and Giovanni also gained a few places. After a great fight for P3, Noah was able to pass Wharton with 15 minutes to go. Meanwhile, Edgar and Giovanni were driving into the Top-20.

After a 6min safety-car break it was time for Noah to fight for the win, but he first had pass Taponen for P2. Thanks to a great re-start he got passed Taponen at the end of Kemmel Straight. Despite a great pace he was not able follow Camara and had to settle for P2. Giovanni and Edgar finished the race in P18 and P20 respectively.

Driver standings after round 2:
P3 Noah – 30 points
P21 Giovanni– 0 points
P28 Edgar – 0 points
Team standings after round 2:
P6 – 30 points