Liam Lawson seals Euroformula Open Rookie title with victory in Monza finale
Kiwi Liam Lawson has taken the 2019 Euroformula Open Rookie title, and second place in the overall championship, with his win in the final race of the year at Monza.
Pole-sitter Teppei Natori led from the start, but Lawson completed a move at the first chicane in the opening laps.
The battle at the top was tightly-fought, with Christian Hahn, Marino Sato, and Yuki Tsunoda all vying for podium posiitons.
Sato’s failed attempt for second saw him fall down the order, while Tsunoda was able to pass both Natori and Lawson for the race lead.
The race was neutralised when Hahn and Australian Jack Doohan collided, sending Doohan into a dramatic roll.
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Both drivers were sent to the medical centre after the massive crash, but were cleared of any serious injury.
With two laps remaining, Lawson passed fellow Red Bull driver Tsunoda at the restart, and held his lead until the chequered flag.
Natori’s defense of third from Linus Lundqvist saw Lawson earn the necessary buffer to take the rookie title.
Marino Sato had locked up the 2019 Euroformula Open title last time out, and the Monza result saw Lawson finish second in the championship ahead of Lukas Dunner in third.
