Air Racing
Veteran Lamb leaves rivals trailing in Malaysia
British pilot claims first-ever win at the Red Bull Air Race World Championship in Putrajaya.
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In his seventh year of racing, Nigel Lamb took his first win on Sunday at the third round of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2014.
It was a disappointing day for fellow Brit, and the current Red Bull Air Race World Champion, Paul Bonhomme – for the first time in 19 races, Bonhomme did not make the podium, exiting at the Super 8 stage prior to the four-man final, and handing the initiative in the title race to long-time rival Hannes Arch. The Austrian finished second in Malaysia to move out in front in the overall standings.
Arch – the world champion in 2008 who won the previous round in Rovinj, Croatia – was the favourite heading into the final but first to race was Lamb and the Brit surprised everyone, posting a new track record of 01:15.023 to put him in the box seat.
The podium in Putrajaya
© Balazs Gardi/Red Bull Content Pool
Australia’s Matt Hall was almost seven tenths of a second behind, finishing the course in 01:15.691 but was guaranteed a place on the podium after 30-year-old Canadian Pete McLeod, the youngest pilot at the race, was disqualified from his run after exceeding the 200kph speed limit at the start gate.
Lamb’s hopes of a first championship win hinged on whether Hannes Arch could top his time, but the Austrian came up just short, stopping the clock at 01:15.597, and starting the party at the Lamb team hangar!
Watch action from the third of eight races in 2014 in the video player above. For much more from Malaysia, visit redbullairrace.com.
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