Igor Fraga takes Toyota Racing Series lead in action-packed Denny Hulme Trophy

Igor Fraga has won the Denny Hulme Memorial Trophy, taking the feature race at Hampton Downs in the Castrol Toyota Racing Series. Grégoire Saucy was second, with Yuki Tsunoda in third.

Fraga qualified on pole, besides series leader and rival Liam Lawson.

The Brazilian made a solid start, and held his own until Lap 4, when Émilien Denner parked his car on the Turn 2 run off, bringing out the Safety Car.

Lawson, having fallen behind Grégoire Saucy at the start, clawed his way back and was en route to catch Fraga before the Safety Car neutralised the field.

The battled commenced immediately at the restart, and the two leaders sparred until Lap 10, when Lawson’s car suddenly slowed and was hit by Spike Kohlbecker, bringing out another Safety Car.

The was due to be restarted, but a collision between Ido Cohen, Axel Gnos, and Rui Andrade on the restart brought out the red flag and ended the race for all three drivers.

When the race resumed, Fraga cruised home to take the three remaining laps to victory, with Grégoire Saucy second and Yuki Tsunoda in third.

“This one was especially tight,” said Fraga.

“At the beginning I had a lot of pressure from Liam. I think we gave each other just enough room to race and at the end winning like this is very, very special. From here, we need to keep the momentum.”

Australian Jackson Walls was last of the qualified runners in P12 after early contact, while Liam Lawson did not finish the race.

After three rounds, Fraga now leads the Toyota Racing Series on 219 points. Reigning champion Liam Lawson is second on 202, with Grégoire Saucy in third on 171 points. Aussie Jackson walls is in P12 with 73 points.