MRF Challenge: Newey, Drugovich top the show

Dubai: Harrison Newey won the first race of the MRF Challenge round two at Dubai Autodrome on Friday. The 18-year-old British driver, cheered on by his father and legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey started second but surged ahead past Joey Mawson in the fourth lap.

Newey set a string of fastest laps and took the chequered flag ahead of Mawson and Mick Schumacher. Brazilian driver Felipe Drugovich won the second race later in the day with a lead of 0.712 from Mawson. Juri Vips finished third while championship leader Schumacher had to remain content at fourth.

Earlier in the qualifying race, Mawson (1:55.945) set the fastest lap ever by the MRF F2000 at the Dubai Autodrome to claim pole position for the second round.
The Australian started from pole ahead of Newey, Schumacher, Vips and Pedro Cardoso. However, he couldn’t keep Newey off the hook as the British driver strengthened his lead after every lap and in the end enjoyed a comfortable time difference of 2.572 from second placed Mawson.

Schumacher tried his bit to close the gap with Mawson but couldn’t surpass him as the 17-year-old German driver finished third on the podium with 0.763 seconds away from Mawson.

Indian driver Parth Ghorpade fought back from last place at the end of the first corner to finish at 11th position.

Race 1: 1. Harrison Newey, 2, Joey Mawson (+2.572), 3. Mick Schumacher (+3.335) Race 2: 1. Felipe Drugovich, 2. Joey Mawson (+0.712), 3. Juri Vips (+7.856)