The Women's World Championship was closer than ever at Magny-Cours between María Herrera and Beatriz Neila, while Lucie Boudesseul secured her first podium finish.
More than a month later the last round which was held in Hungary, the Women's World Championship drivers arrived at the Magny-Cours circuit, where fans could count on the participation of five French women. Alongside Lucie Boudesseul et Emily Bondi, Ornella Ongaro was able to make his big comeback after being seriously injured in HungaryThe three starters were joined by the wild cards. Line Vieillard et Justine Pedemonte.
Leading the championship, María Herrera et Beatrice Neila arrived with a nine-point gap. Herrera had a first option for the title, provided he scored 42 points, meaning a victory and a podium. The Superpole went to his advantage, since Neila made a mistake and had to settle for fifth place on the grid, while Herrera finished second. Pole went to Chloe Jones, a big first for the British rookie.
The French women created a surprise! Boudesseul took third place, while Old man et Pedemonte both finished in the top 10, seventh and ninth respectively. Bondi took 15th position, and Ongaro, still convalescing, the 20th.
Lucie Boudesseul
RACE 1
When the lights go out, it's like always Herrera who made the best start and took the lead, ahead of Jones, Neila et Boudesseul. A few turns further, Herrera expanded, which allowed Jones et Neila to go past.
In the second round, Herrera took back second place, while at the back, Bondi was hit by Sonya LloydThe Frenchwoman was holding her left hand and suffered a displaced fracture with a torn ligament in her middle finger. She was operated on the following day and had to withdraw from the rest of the weekend.
A few turns later, it's Sara Sanchez who made a mistake. The fourth-place finisher in the championship suffered fractures to the metacarpal of her left hand and also withdrew.
Meanwhile, Herrera took back the lead of the race and Neila second place, relegating Jones in third place. Boudesseul was still fourth. In the third lap, Jones repeated Neila.
At the halfway point, the leading positions had not changed: Herrera always leading ahead Jones et Neila, While Boudesseul was isolated at 1″7 in fourth position. Behind, Roberta Ponziani, the rookie Natalia Rivera, Justine Pedemonte, Tayla Relph, the other rookie Avalon Lewis et Line Vieillard completed the top 10. Ongaro was 19th.
María Herrera in front of Chloe Jones.
Three laps from the finish, Neila lost ground and found itself relegated to 1″1 behind its rivals, who flew towards a duel for victory. Just behind, Ponziani came back on Boudesseul and doubled it.
Jones was unable to dethrone Herrera, and the Spaniard took her fifth victory of the season, moving a little closer to the title. The British and Neila completed the podium, ahead of Ponziani, Boudesseul et Rivera.
Wild cards Pedemonte et Old man had an incredible race in their world debut, finishing seventh and ninth. Ongaro managed to finish the race, taking 19th place.
Race 1 Results
Watch Race 1 in full on YouTube
RACE 2
It's a new time Herrera who took the lead in the first turn, in front of Jones, Neila, Ponziani et Boudesseul. Jones quickly took first place, while Ponziani has fallen in the rankings, allowing Boudesseul to move into fourth place. The Frenchwoman then overtook Neila in the second round, and temporarily settled on her first podium.
In the third round, Herrera took back the lead of the race, while Ponziani came back on Boudesseul, doubled by NeilaThe Italian in turn overtook the Frenchwoman. The five leading women broke away from the rest of the pack. Behind, Madalena Simoes is at fault.
Halfway through the race, Jones et Neila have passed HerreraMore Ponziani et Boudesseul were in contact, announcing a fierce five-way fight for victory. Behind, Rivera, Lewis, Relph, Mallory Dobbs et Pakita Ruiz completed the top 10. Pedemonte et Old man were 11th and 12th, and Ongaro 20e.
In the seventh lap, the five leading women all arrived together, and Boudesseul had the last word, leading a world-class race for the first time in his career. From then on, the positions kept changing and the suspense was complete right up to the finish line.
It is finally Neila who imposed herself in front of Jones et Boudesseul, who thus secured his first podium in the World Championship, at home. Herrera finished fourth and off the podium for the first time this season, and Ponziani completed the top 5.
Pedemonte again had a solid race finishing eighth, while Old man finished just outside the top 10, in 11th position. Ongaro finished 18th.
Race 2 Results
Watch Race 2 in full on YouTube
Herrera et Neila leave Magny-Cours with just a six-point gap. Everything is still in play for the two women, who will battle for the title at the final round of the 2025 Women's World Championship season, which will be held in Jerez from October 17 to 19.
Find the statements from the podium drivers and the French women in the coming days on Paddock-GP.
