May 1

May 1 Christian Mansell dominates Euroformula Open opener in Portugal

Christian Mansell has opened his Euroformula Open account with a dominant victory in Portugal.

Christian Mansell celebrates after winning the Euroformula Open opener in Portugal. *(Euroformula Open)*

The young Aussie started third on the grid but made his way into the lead with a sterling start as Oliver Goethe and Josh Mason faced their own struggles off the front row.

Mason had stalled on the formation lap and struggled to get off the grid when the lights went out, while Goethe was forced wide into turn one in a three-way battle with his Van Amersfoort Racing teammates.

Mansell sped off into the Portuguese sun around the Estoril circuit, building a gap of 3.279s ahead of Vladislav Lomko by the chequered flag.

"From my point of view, obviously the two guys in front of me had a bit of a poor start," said Mansell.

"Capitalised on that, and we pretty much just drove the perfect race."

"The car was perfect, really."

"Just chilling, relaxing, making sure you hit all of your marks."

"What a way to kick start it off."

Christian Mansell after the race at Estoril. *(Euroformula Open)*

Lomko made his move for the podium on the restart at lap two and chased down Mansell, but was unable to mount a challenge for the lead.

Behind them, Oliver Goethe recovered from his first-lap struggles to retake the final podium position in a spirited battle with Sebastian Øgaard and Frederick Lubin.

Down the order, Alex Peroni charged through the field after starting at the rear of the twelve-car grid, up into sixth by the end of the opening lap, which he held until the finish.

2022 Eurofomula Open - Estoril Race 1