Matthieu Vaxiviere stars, Oliver Rowland takes overall lead

Vaxiviere set the pace during Friday’s collective tests at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. The Lotus F1 Team Junior driver posted the day’s quickest lap in 1:59.620 during the afternoon session where the low-downforce configuration on the rear wing was mandatory. The Frenchman led the morning session ahead of Cyprus’ Tio Ellinas (Strakka Racing) and England’s Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports).

Having left Monaco empty-handed, Vaxiviere rebounded in the best possible way in becoming the first driver to win two races in the same season by taking victory on Saturday. Having been overtaken by Nicholas Latifi (Arden Motorsport), the Frenchman re-took the advantage thanks to a spectacular passing move. Jazeman Jaafar (Fortec Motorsports), who led the general classification going into the weekend, and the highest placed rookie, Dean Stoneman (DAMS), joined him on the podium.

Unfortunately for Vaxiviere, he couldn’t continue his fine form from Saturday as he watched England’s Rowland go from lights-to-flag to take the lead in the general classification after his win on Sunday. Starting from pole position, the Racing Steps Foundation backed driver won ahead of the highest placed rookie, Nyck de Vries (DAMS) again. The McLaren Young Driver Development Programme driver fended off the attacks from Vaxiviere, who completed the podium. Rowland departed Belgium with a six point lead over Vaxiviere and eight ahead of his team-mate Jazeman Jaafar, who started last but finished sixth on Sunday.