Jean-Karl Vernay remained undefeated after two days of track activities at Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit. After posting the fastest laps in yesterday’s Practice and this afternoon’s Qualifying, the young Frenchman converted his pole position into a brilliant victory during the night race.
Stefano Comini crossed the line second and completed an excellent 1-2 finish for Leopard Racing, while Pepe Oriola successfully defended a crucial third position despite a strong pressure from Mat’o Homola.
James Nash – who was leading the standings before the race – was classified fifth ahead of Sergey Afanasyev.
The victory enabled Vernay to significantly cut his gap in the Drivers’ Championship standings, as he still lies fourth, but only 22 points behind his teammate Comini.
In fact, the Swiss has taken the leadership back ahead of Nash and P. Oriola who are one and two points behind him respectively.
Race 2 will start tomorrow at 15:00 local time, with Mikhail Grachev on pole on the reverse grid
Key facts
Start – Vernay takes a good start and leads from Comini, P. Oriola and Nash
Lap 1 – Morbidelli spins at Turn 1 and re-joins; Homola overtakes Nash for 4th
Lap 3 – Fulín pits and retires from 9th; Afanasyev defends 6th place from Borković
Lap 4 – Vernay pulls away; Comini is chased by P. Oriola and Homola
Lap 5 – De Souza stops on the track
Lap 6 – Gleason, Tassi and Morbidelli are in a close battle for 8th
Lap 7 – Khoo hits the tyre-wall head-on, but re-joins
Lap 8 – Kajaia pits and retires; Grachev defends 11th place from Hezemans
Lap 9 – Khoo stops on the track; Hezemans hits the tyre-wall head-on and retires
Lap 10 – Vernay wins from Comini, P. Oriola, Homola and Nash
