Another piece of International Formula Master (IFM) history was written yesterday with the Series’ youngest driver Pablo Sanchez Lopez storming to a stunning win in Pau, France.

The action-packed race saw 17-year-old Sanchez Lopez lead the race from start to finish despite constant pressure from the rest of the field. Attending crowds were treated to IFM’s most spectacular round to date with Pau’s harsh streets catching several drivers out during the 45-minute race.  

The safety car was deployed twice due to various incidents before the race was briefly suspended after Rahel Frey’s Formula S2000 race car needed to be recovered from its dangerous stranded track position.

Alan Racing’s Sanchez Lopez handled the restart perfectly with 15-minutes left of the race to go. The Mexican went on to win, followed by Jenzer Motorosport’s Juho Annala in second place and Cram Competition’s Jerome D’Ambrosio in third place.

Pablo Sanchez Lopez, Alan Racing

“I have no words for this! We knew we had a competitive car, we knew that since Valencia and yesterday’s strategy to finish eighth was perfect for here. I got a good start and kept the first place without difficulty. Winning was all I wanted, I want to thank everyone my team, my sponsors, and a very special person for me; my father.”

Juho Annala, Jenzer Motorsport

“It was a difficult race for me, I had some understeer in the race yesterday and today a little bit as well. We used the restart to help with that issue a bit but it was not much better. It was really a matter of not making a mistake on a circuit like this so I’m really happy with the result, especially since Jerome was closing in on me!”

Jerome D’Ambrosio, Cram Competition

“Third today and yesterday, second in Valencia; now I’m looking forward to first at the next round! It’s hard to overtake here but there was a way somehow and I got Gatto. It’s generally quite risky but it worked out so I’m happy. I really enjoy racing on street circuits and thanks to the team’s hard work, we’re getting faster and faster.”

International Formula Master Pau race two

Provisional results

1. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing

2. Juho Annala (FIN), Jenzer Motorosport

3. Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition

4. Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Alan Racing

5. Pierre Ragues (FRA), Euronova Racing

6. Maximilian Goetz (GER), ISR

7. Massimo Torre (ITA), Suderia Fama

8. Claudio Cantelli Jr (BRA), J.D. Motorsport