Among the most prominent drivers of the 2018 French F4 Championship, Pierre-Louis Chovet had not yet had the opportunity to climb on to the first step of the podium. On the Paul Ricard circuit, in Race 2 of the last meeting of 2018, he became the ninth winner of this exciting season, undoubtedly the most successful in the history of the FFSA Academy. Theo Nouet made a strong run to 2nd position, while Adam Eteki took the advantage over Caio Collet in the last minute to gain 3rd place.
Ranked 10th in Saturday’s Race 1 after the penalty received by Alessandro Ghiretti, who slipped from 5th to 13th, Pierre-Louis Chovet fully exploited his pole position on the starting grid to leap ahead at the first corner ahead of Théo Nouet, Matéo Herrero, Reshad De Gerus and Esteban Muth. But the celebration started in the first corners with multiple passes that were continued throughout the race at all levels of the pack. Herrero and Muth lost several places following a fight also involving O’Neill Muth and De Gerus.
Chovet imposes himself at home
After making very good starts, Caio Collet and Adam Eteki found themselves in the wake of De Gerus. The Reunion driver ended up losing successively against the Brazilian and the Frenchman. Starting on the last row, Monegasque Arthur Leclerc got off to a good start, managing to make his way through the pack with energy.
At the forefront, Chovet did not have time to breathe, as Nouet continued to threaten. “With the slipstream in a straight line on the Mistral, it was not easy to keep Theo behind me,” admitted Pierre-Louis. “Fortunately, after my excellent start, I did not make any mistakes and I managed to delay my braking to repel his attacks. It’s great to win on the Paul Ricard circuit, as I did at the same time last year. I live in the PACA region and for me, it’s something of a home race.”
Eteki gives no quarter
Just behind, the fight between Collet and Eteki for the third step of the podium excited the audience. Thanks to a daring but clever overtaking manoeuvre from the outside of the Signes curve, which ended in Beausset’s double right, Eteki won this superb duel, in addition to setting the fastest lap, as he did in Race 1.
Worried at the end of the race by Ugo De Wilde, the winner the day before and so starting 10th, De Gerus resisted the Belgian to take 5th place. The Reunion driver took the opportunity to secure the title of French Junior Vice-Champion 2018 behind Pourchaire who was already crowned. The top ten was completed by Ulysse De Pauw, Esteban Muth, Alessandro Ghiretti and Theo Pourchaire, who passed Arthur Leclerc two laps from the finish.