Sepang F4: Gowda takes maiden podium, Nalwalla twice rookie winner
Akash Gowda claimed his first Formula 4 South East Asia podium in Race 3, while Mohammed Nalwalla wins rookie honour twice in Race 1 and Race 4, in the opening round at Sepang.
Podium: third place Akash Gowda
Formula 4 SEA
Having qualified seventh behind fellow countryman Gowda, Nalwalla was able to secure a fifth place finish in the season’s first race, thus also winning the rookie trophy.
"I am happy with this result, which is definitely a good start to the season and a positive direction," said Nalwalla after the race.
"I was a bit nervous going into my very first formula race, but I really learned a lot from day and had a good race overall."
Australia’s Jordan Love won Race 1 after a tight battle with Singapore’s Danial Frost, while Faine Kahia completed the podium.
For Gowda, it was an unfortunate retirement after tangling with Malaysia’s Isyraf Danish on Lap 2, with the Indian going airborne briefly, before spinning out.
Gritty fight in second race
For the second race of the weekend, it was a hard fought battle between the two Indians as Nalwalla at fourth, managed to finish ahead of Gowda in the race.
But a post-race penalty to Nalwalla for a starting procedure infringement meant he dropped three places to seventh, allowing Gowda to occupy fourth.
Meanwhile, it was second straight win for Love with Frost and Kahia, like in the first race completing the top three, as Danish inherited rookie honours, after Nalwalla’s penalty.
Maiden podium for Gowda
A top five Race 2 reverse-grid meant Gowda started on pole alongside Danish. The Indian got a perfect start to take the lead, but with immense pressure from fast-starting Love meant the Australian overtook Gowda in the final corner.
The Indian then lost places to Frost and Kahia, but the field was brought together after Danish and Nalwalla collided, bringing out the safety car.
Just before the SC period, Frost took the race lead after Love’s retirement leaving Kahia and Gowda to fight it out for second place.
The Kiwi driver fended off Gowda’s pressure to keep second, mere 0.259s separating the two, with Frost taking his maiden win and Presley Martono picking the rookie trophy.
"It was quite an exciting race, starting from second and taking the lead of the race early on," an elated Gowda said.
"I tried to defend my position but Jordan [Love] was really quick and I unfortunately lost the lead.
"I could have taken second at the end as I made a mistake, so I had to settle for third. Good experience for me with a lot of things for me to work on to improve."
Second rookie trophy for Nalwalla
Love came out strong in Race 4 on Sunday winning by over seven seconds from Kahia, who had fended off Frost and Nazim Azman in the battle for second.
With final podium spot up for grabs, Frost had Azman and Gowda at his rear, but the Singapore driver had it easy after penalty to Azman, dropping him seventh.
Gowda eventually finished fourth ahead of Nalwalla, who took his second rookie trophy of the weekend.
“Really happy that I was able to come back to the podium for my second Rookie winner’s trophy in Race 4, but I still have to work on my pace, as there is still a lot of ground to make up," reflected Nalwalla.
"Overall, I am really happy and there are a lot of positives as well as areas for me to work on for the future.”
Steady run in Race 5
Frost took his second win of the weekend after early leader Love was penalised for jump start.
Kahia managed to hold on second from Malaysia's Azman, who took his maiden podium.
Martono took rookie honours after finishing a mere 0.350s behind Azman, with Gowda round off the top five, just ahead of Nalwalla.
Lost podium for Gowda
As the top five were reversed from fifth race, Gowda started on pole alongside Martono and held the lead, but was straightaway under pressure from behind.
With Frost looking ever racy, the Singaporean made a move stick on Lap 2 to take the lead with rest following suite in the next few laps.
Eventually, Frost held the to nerve to pick the win with seventh-placed starter Love making ground to second, mere 0.151s behind, while Martono completed the podium.
Gowda had to settle with sixth fighting with Azman ahead, while keeping seventh placed Danish and eighth placed Nalwalla behind.
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