Formula Masters China Series, Munro takes maiden victory in Zhuhai
New Zealand’s James Munro took his maiden victory last weekend winning both Race 1 and Race 2 at the Zhuhai International Circuit. Finishing second in both races was Super License driver Yuya Motojima of Japan, 23. Munro’s team mate, Dan Wells (22) of Great Britain finished third in Race 1, while 18-year old Hong Kong driver Matthew Solomon of Eurasia Motorsport rounded out the podium in the second race of the day.
The first race of the day took place under dry conditions. Shortened to 10 laps, pole-sitter Matthew Swanepoel (19) of Cebu Pacific Air by KCMG stalled at the re-start, allowing Munro to take the lead into Turn 1, with Wells behind him. However, the drama was not over and the Safety Car was called out on the first lap following a multi-car incident.
When racing began again on Lap 3, Munro got away cleanly. Wells held onto his position in second, with Motojima third and Yuan in fourth. One lap later, Munro had already pulled a 1.508 second gap to Wells, while Indonesia’s Darma Hutomo of Humpuss Junior Racing Team and Hong Kong driver Ronald Wu of Zen Motorsport had overtaken Yuan. Yuan would regain one place on Lap 6 to finish fifth overall, one behind Hutomo who at 15 is the youngest driver in the series. Munro continued to increase his lead and finished 5.398 seconds ahead of Motojima, who got by Wells on the final lap.
The second race of the day saw Munro score his second victory in as many races, this time in the rain. With the grid for Race 2 determined by the fastest lap times in Race 1, it was Munro on pole with Motojima alongside him on the first row. The race began under the Safety Car, following an incident between Star Racing Academy driver Bao Jin Long of Zen Motorsport and Swanepoel on the formation lap. When racing began on lap 5, Munro held his position and began to build a gap. Motojima followed behind him in second and although he attempted to catch up, the Porsche Carrera Cup Japan driver could not get close and Munro won the race by a comfortable 3.202 seconds.
Behind the leading pair were Wells and Solomon, with Solomon getting past on lap 6 to take his first podium position of the season. Wells finished fifth behind Yuan, who gained a position on the final lap.
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