Vaxiviere takes FR3.5 race two victory

Lotus Formula 1 junior Matthieu Vaxiviere recorded a long-anticipated third win of the season in the second Formula Renault 3.5 race at the Red Bull Ring.

The French racer made up for the disappointment of a tough opener on Sunday morning, in which he dropped a position and sustained minor damage in contact, to recoup a handful of points over title rival and race one victor Oliver Rowland.

Poleman Vaxiviere and Fortec charge Rowland spent a large portion of the opening lap running wheel to wheel in a thrilling battle, but the Limoges ace skilfully defended his position and subsequently opened out a four second margin of victory.

"I am happy to the win, but looking at the whole of the day I am not so happy as we struggled in race one a bit running the medium downforce," said Vaxiviere.  "In this race we chose the high downforce and I was able to manage the gap to Ollie.

"The races in September after the summer break will be the most important phase of the championship, so we have to keep focus on that."

European Formula 3 graduate Roy Nissany claimed his first podium in the series. The Hungarian-raised Israeli had qualified an excellent fifth, and in line with the majority of the field was promoted a grid position following front row qualifier Roberto Merhi's exclusion after a controversial race one.

Nissany moved ahead of McLaren protege Nyck de Vries on the opening lap and produced strong race pace to maintain third position throughout.

De Vries lost fourth to Draco's third year racer Pietro Fantin after suffering a lock-up and running wide at Turn 2 seven laps from home.  The race became spread out in the closing laps, and Fantin's charge through the order from tenth on the grid was one of few highlights.

Status GP2 driver Marlon Stockinger completed the top-six on a guest appearance for his former team Lotus.

Race one runner-up Dean Stoneman retired in an opening lap accident with Arden racer Nicholas Latifi. The Canadian's accident was a tough blow for his hard working crew, who had endured a race against time to ready Latifi's car following a huge crash with Merhi in race one.

RESULTS - 31 LAPS:

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS:

Originally on Autosport.com