Living up to the expectations, Japanese Grand Prix 2 driver Nobuharu Matsushita won Race I on the first day of the MRF Challenge at the Yas Marina Circuit here on Friday evening.
Pietro Fittipaldi was second edging out a spirited Jake Dennis, who took the final podium slot. It was a perfect start by Matsushita, who easily led into the first corner.
Jake Dennis, who was slow off the block, tried to surge ahead in the third corner, but Fittipaldi was equal to the task by shutting the door to stay ahead. Tatiana Calderon finished fourth ahead of Russian driver Nikita Troitckii.
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There was something to cheer for the Indian contingent as Tarun Reddy capitalised on a great start to move up from ninth to sixth.
There was also some disappointment for the Indian fans as the safety car came out on the fourth lap when British driver Laura Tillett collided with Karthik Tharani.
When it went green again, Matsushita continued from where he left and pulled away again.
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He won the race by over four seconds with Fittipaldi surviving a last-corner mistake to hold off Dennis to finish second.
Tarun Reddy will start in reverse grid pole position for the next race.
A visibly delighted Matsushita said that he did his first lap in the car on Friday morning and it took some time for him to adapt to the MRF F2000.
“The more I drove the better it felt and in the race the car was really good. I managed to pull away and hold on to the lead. I am enjoying driving here as it is always giving me more track time ahead of the GP2 race next month,” he said.
The results: MRF Challenge Race I: 1. Nobuharu Matsushita, 2. Pietro Fittipaldi, 3. Jake Dennis, 4. Nikita Troitckii, 5. Tatiana Calderon, 6. Tarun Reddy. MRF Challenge qualifying results: 1. Nobuharu Matsushita, 2. Jake Dennis, 3. Pietro Fittipaldi, 4. Nikita Troitckii, 5. Tatiana Calderon, 6. Sean Walkinshaw. MRF Challenge free practice 2: 1. Jake Dennis, 2. Pietro Fittipaldi.