Fairy tales do come true : Ryabov wins Race 3 in Barcelona

29.09.2024

The race that closed the Barcelona weekend certainly had an unforeseen scenario: Vladislav Ryabov won in style after stealing first in the opening lap and mastering all events up to the flag. Few could have predicted this outcome, as the 17-year-old driver from Moscow was contesting his first racing event after having put his career on hold for almost two years for reasons that have nothing to do with the sports.

No one better than Vlad himself could explain what he went through: “Without a wealthy family supporting me and under the well-known circumstances, it’s been very difficult to get here, with minimal backing, and to be competitive after such a long time of inactivity. I have been doing coaching work and training as hell, but that is not enough. In the first session, I was even scared by the speed of the car and by my lack of rhythm. But in the space of a weekend, and well supported by the team, I have been able to progress, get back into the pace, fight and win a race. It’s incredible, you cannot believe what it means to me, and I hope there will be more to come…”

Ryabov was second in the reversed grid, sitting next to Fernando Barrichello, who managed to keep the advantage in the initial corners but was passed by Ryabov before the end of the lap. Pearson was third at the moment after passing Simonazzi and having a hairy moment with Benavides who had to go off-track, rejoining last.

In the following phase, Pearson passed Barrichello, who also had to concede a position to Garfias, while Benavides could only finish fifh ahead of Simonazzi and Escotto, having to delay title celebrations to Monza.