Victory For Torrente: Perfect Start Seals Sprint Race 2 Win

Three-time World Champion Shaun Torrente’s lightning getaway from pole position proved decisive in Sprint Race 2 at the Shanghai Grand Prix, as the Victory Team driver held off intense pressure from Erik Stark and championship leader Rusty Wyatt throughout the 18-lap thriller.

The Victory Team driver made a perfect start from pole position and never relinquished the lead, but was pushed hard by Team Abu Dhabi’s Stark and Wyatt’s Sharjah Team entry in a race that featured side-by-side battles and heart-stopping moments on the tight Huangpu River circuit.

Torrente’s Perfect Launch

Torrente got away cleanly from pole position and immediately began to build a gap over the chasing pack. By lap 3, he had established a 0.06-second advantage over Stark, with Wyatt running third and already posting the fastest lap of the race at 00:41.332 – significantly quicker than Torrente’s best of 00:42.028.

Behind the leading trio, Alec Weckström held fourth place for the Victory Team, while early retirements dramatically reduced the field. Sami Seliö and Cédric Deguisne both encountered problems that would see them complete only 11 and 2 laps respectively.

Wyatt’s Hunt For Stark

As the race settled down, the battle for second place intensified between Stark and Wyatt. The championship leader, who had qualified sixth after his Q2 technical issues, was clearly the faster driver on raw pace, posting lap times consistently quicker than those ahead of him.

However, the narrow Shanghai circuit and Stark’s superior acceleration out of the buoys made overtaking extremely difficult. Wyatt had the advantage on top speed, but Stark’s ability to get on the power earlier at each turn kept the Canadian at bay lap after lap.

The calmer water conditions also played against Wyatt, whose boat setup typically excels in rougher water. With no wind to speak of, the flat conditions favored Stark’s package, adding another layer of difficulty to Wyatt’s pursuit.

Side-By-Side Drama

With 9 laps remaining, the tension reached its peak when Wyatt pulled alongside Stark in a breathtaking overtaking attempt. The two boats ran side-by-side through a corner, coming perilously close to contact but both drivers demonstrating exceptional skill to avoid disaster.

Stark held his line and maintained second place, but Wyatt was not finished. With 6 laps to go, the championship leader launched another attack, diving up the inside of Stark at a buoy. In an incredible defensive move, Stark closed the door, forcing Wyatt to back off dramatically to avoid collision.

The evasive action cost Wyatt dearly – he was “hosed down” by Stark’s wake and lost approximately 10 seconds in the incident. It was a testament to both drivers’ skill that they avoided what would have been a catastrophic collision, but it effectively ended Wyatt’s chances of challenging for second place.

Torrente Cruises Home

While the battle for second raged behind him, Torrente maintained his composure at the front, managing his pace and avoiding the drama. The American crossed the line to claim his first victory of the weekend, finishing 0.05″763 ahead of Stark with Wyatt a further 0.04″032 seconds back in third.

Weckström brought his Victory Team boat home in fourth place, one lap down, ahead of Peter Morin in fifth and Bartek Marszalek in sixth. Duarte Benavente finished seventh, two laps down, while Ferdinand Zandbergen completed eighth place, three laps adrift.

Weckström’s Recovery

Before the race, attention had been on Weckström’s condition following his dramatic barrel-roll crash during Q2 qualifying in the morning. The Finnish driver had been running fifth-fastest when he flipped out of contention on his 11th lap, requiring medical assessment.

Speaking before Sprint Race 2, Weckström explained: “I was pushing hard to get into Q3. Then, for some reason, I made a mistake, caught a wave and hit my head quite hard. I didn’t know what I had for breakfast and what currency we use. But I was given the all-clear to race.”

His team-mate Torrente was relieved to see him compete: “Alec (Weckström) took a hard hit (in the morning’s qualifying) and got checked out in the hospital. He is fine.”

Driver Reactions

Torrente was clearly enjoying himself after securing victory: “So much fun. I pushed for the first two laps. I was comfortable. I haven’t had that much fun with my clothes on for a long time!”

Sprint Race 2 Results

Championship Picture

Wyatt extends his championship lead despite missing out on victory, adding 8 points to his tally. His fastest lap of 00:41.332 – the quickest of the entire race – demonstrates he had the pace to win but was thwarted by track position and Stark’s defensive masterclass.

Torrente’s victory moves him into contention in the championship battle, while Stark’s second place and strong defensive driving earned valuable points. The Swede’s ability to hold off Wyatt despite being slower on outright pace showcased the importance of qualifying position on the tight Shanghai circuit.

For Jonas Andersson, who won Sprint Race 1 earlier in the day, the defending champion will be pleased to have bounced back from his qualifying troubles with 10 points on the board heading into Saturday’s main Grand Prix.

Looking Ahead

With both Sprint Races complete, attention now turns to Saturday’s Grand Prix at 15:00 local time. The starting grid will be determined by Friday morning’s qualifying session, with youngest-ever pole-sitter Stefan Arand leading the field away despite his heartbreaking Sprint Race 1 engine failure.

The close racing and multiple battles throughout both Sprint Races suggest Saturday’s main event will be another thriller on the Huangpu River, with the championship fight intensifying as the season progresses.