Formula Regional Asia Race 3 as it happened 13.02.2022: Formula Regional Asian Championship Certified by FIA Dubai Autodrome - round 4 Paul Aron lined up on pole position for the second time in Round 4, this time with Arthur Leclerc alongside and Dino Beganovic and Isack Hadjar behind. As the lights went

Formula Regional Asian Championship Certified by FIA
Dubai Autodrome - round 4




Paul Aron lined up on pole position for the second time in Round 4, this time with Arthur Leclerc alongside and Dino Beganovic and Isack Hadjar behind.


As the lights went out for the final time this season at the Dubai Autodrome, Aron closed the door on Leclerc, the pair on the limit as they headed off on the opening lap. Behind the pair, Hadjar eyed a move on Beganovic on the inside, but seconds later came under attack from Gabriele Minì, who dived by at Turn 2 and up to fourth before the Frenchman reclaimed the position.



Pepe Marti was a man on the move, up to sixth from his P9 grid position by the end of Lap 3, as was Michael Belov, the Russian slotting in behind Marti by the end of the following lap. Minì reclaimed fourth from Hadjar, while ahead of him Beganovic had closed the gap to Leclerc and Aron.



A third of the way through the 30-minute sprint, a courageously strategic late dive on Aron by Leclerc saw the Monegasque claim the lead. Aron responded but cut the corner as he reclaimed the position and, as instructed, gave the place back to Leclerc.  



After that there was no catching Leclerc, who headed off to cross the line with a margin of more than five seconds.



There was still plenty of drama remaining, however, with battles raging throughout the field. Ollie Bearman, who had been running in eighth, dropped down the order, while Patrik Pasma climbed through the pack from P11 to eventually finish seventh behind Jak Crawford.



At the two-thirds mark, Marti and Belov got by Hadjar, while Minì passed Beganovic, who began dropping down the order.



As Leclerc headed for this third win of the season with Aron a comfortable second, the fight for the final podium place between Minì, Marti, Belov and Crawford was furious all the way to the flag. While Minì was third across the line, the Italian was penalized for failing to hand back a place having gained an advantage by exceeding track limits, meaning Marti claimed the final overall podium as well as another Rookie Cup victory.



Belov took a well-earned fifth place finish ahead of Crawford Pasma and an impressive Ido Cohen. Francesco Braschi was ninth and second Rookie Cup finisher ahead of a disappointed Hadjar. Third Rookie finisher was Dilano van’t Hoff, 12th overall.


In the Master Cup, Khaled Al Qubaisi took the honours ahead of Thomas Luedi and Salih Yoluç.  





 Nikki Kemp - photo FRAC