Liam Lawson takes first win of 2020 Toyota Racing Series after Caio Collet penalised
Kiwi Liam Lawson has taken the first race of the 2020 Castrol Toyota Racing Series, followed by Igor Fraga and Grégoire Saucy. Brazilian Caio Collet was the first across the line, but was ultimately penalised for a practice start on the warm up lap.
Round 1 of the TRS at Highlands Park got off to an action-packed start from the practice sessions, which saw the new FT-60 tested in multiple incidents, and Amaury Cordeel benched for the weekend with a suspected concussion.
Collet and Lawson started from the front row and fought closely to Turn 1, with Collet emerging with the early lead. Igor Fraga took third from Lirim Zendeli, and it appeared the race for the podium would be tightly-fought.
By the end of Lap 1, Aussie Jackson Walls was up to tenth, with Kiwi Chelsea Herbert up to 16th.
Puerto Rican Jose Blanco, who started from the rear of the grid after an accident in practice, was forced to retire on Lap 2.
Jackson Walls was able to recover after a big moment at the exit of the bus stop chicane, but lost his momentum, dropping back into the chasing field.
The race order settled in by Lap 5, with Collet holding steady ahead of chasing 2019 champion Lawson.
Henning Enqvist lost control entering the chicane on Lap 10, spinning into the tyre barrier and bringing out the safety car.
Caio Collet holds off Liam Lawson on the final lap
With just one lap left at the restart, Liam Lawson looked primed to challenge Collet, but the mtec Motorsport driver was able to hold off several of Lawson’s inspired attacks, remaining calm and taking the first race of the season.
However, a five-second penalty for a practice start on the warm up lap saw Collet relegated to seventh, with Lawson taking the victory ahead of Igor Fraga and Grégoire Saucy.
Lawson said “we had a descent start but I couldn’t quite get Caio off the line.”
"The cars have a lot of downforce, more than last year. Around a track like this with lots of long corners, there aren’t that many places to pass. I tried but I just couldn't get close enough. It’s the first race of the season and I didn't want to risk anything. At the end of the day it’s a solid result but we need to go a bit better in qualifying. There's still more speed in the car."
Jackson Walls finished in P13, with kiwi Chelsea Herbert in P18.
