GRS did not achieve the expected result in Round 5 of Formula 4 Spanish Championship, held at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia. The team had a competitive performance, but the hard work did not pay off because of a series of setbacks and misfortunes on the races.
After a day of collective testing, the event began on Saturday. Anshul Gandhi, who made his official racing debut this weekend, earned experience and learnt with every lap, session after session. On the other hand, Vladislav Ryabov proved since the beginning that he had the pace to be within the Top 5.
The Russian driver confirmed the positive feeling by taking fourth on the grid for races 1 and 2. Gandhi shown a solid, consistent pace and finished close to drivers with much more experience.
On Race 1, Ryabov stalled at the start and dropped to the back. The young Russian started then an astonishing comeback, which finished with an electronic issue, taking away any chance to score. Gandhi ended his first race in single seaters on an acceptable 18th position, earning mileage and experience.
Sunday began with QP2, where Ryabov was sixth. However, he would not start Race 3 from that position as he was given a penalty. Gandhi finished again closing the gap to the drivers on top.
Coming to Race 2, Ryabov fought for his first Formula 4 win until the end and crossed the finish line third. However, the Russian driver lost the podium after being penalised, among other drivers, with two seconds. He had to settle for sixth position. Gandhi, on the other hand, finished the race again and gained relevant experience.
Ryabov stalled again in Race 3. The mistake was followed, once more, by an excellent comeback, in which he reached points positions. While he was racing in P7, ‘Slava’ was hit by another driver, prematurely ending his race. Gandhi finished his first weekend with the best result of the weekend after being 17th.
The team completed one of its best weekends when it comes to work and pace, so they are not satisfied with the result. Nevertheless, GRS had great feeling through the entire meeting, and is sure that, with better luck, better results will come back.
Formula 4 Spanish Championship will be back in two weeks. In October 2-3, the championship will hold its sixth and penultimate round at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto.
