SPRINT RACE: Hadjar heads the field in Red Flagged wet Zandvoort race

Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Isack Hadjar came out on top in a halted Sprint Race in Zandvoort, ahead of compatriot Victor Martins for ART Grand Prix and PREMA Racing’s Oliver Bearman, who made a late dive at the rolling start to take third.

The race was Red Flagged following a three-way collision on the opening lap and was shortly resumed under Safety Car, but torrential rain stopped the proceedings. No points were awarded as two racing laps were not completed without a Safety Car intervention.

AS IT HAPPENED

Drama already began to unfold before lights out, as the expected rain fell on the Circuit Zandvoort. Championship leader Pourchaire wasn’t able to take the start from reverse grid pole after a mechanical issue forced the ART driver to begin from the pit lane.

Hadjar left it late on the rolling start, bolting off down the main straight to fend off Martins’ advances. Bearman pounced on Juan Manuel Correa, sliding past the Van Amersfoort Racing driver up the inside of Turn 1 for third.

At the tail end of the top 10, contact between Kush Maini and Jak Crawford sent both cars spinning off at Turn 5, with Ralph Boschung unable to avoid colliding with his Campos Racing teammate. The Safety Car was deployed before being switched out for a Red Flag on Lap 3, as all three drivers clambered out of their cars.

Following the lengthy break for barrier repairs, the race was expected to resume with 22 minutes left on the clock, but heavy downpours returned as Hadjar led the field back out behind the Safety Car.

Given the torrential conditions, the Red Flag was waved for a second time, and it was swiftly confirmed that the race would not be restarted.

As a result, Hadjar collected his first win of his rookie season ahead of Martins and Bearman. Correa and Zane Maloney completed the top five ahead of Jack Doohan, Frederik Vesti and Clément Novalak, who rounded out the top eight for Trident.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

With no points awarded today, it’s as it was in both Standings, with Théo Pourchaire continuing to lead the Drivers’ Championship on 168 points to Frederik Vesti’s 156. Ayumu Iwasa remains third on 134 points, four points ahead of Jack Doohan in fourth.

ART Grand Prix stay top of the Teams’ Championship on 288 points. Their nearest rivals PREMA Racing are second on 258, with Rodin Carlin in third on 176.

UP NEXT

Jak Crawford will have his eyes set on victory when he lines up on pole for Sunday’s Feature Race for the first time. Lights go out at 10:00 local time.