18 July 2016
Windy conditions affected the Red Bull Air Race in Budapest, Hungary at the weekend with Matthias Dolderer continuing his good form with a win.
Weather delays meant the safe flight window could not accommodate the full racing programme, and when the final Round of 4 was cancelled, race results were determined by the Round of 8 times. Dolderer’s 58.653 seconds clinched his victory, while Austria’s Hannes Arch was second with 58.942 and Australia’s Matt Hall third with 59.236.
Spectacular setting for Hungary’s Red Bull Air Race. Top: Matthias Dolderer (centre) with Hannes Arch (left) and Matt Hall on the podium.
Despite the rain, 20,000 spectators lined both banks of the Danube to celebrate the 70th Red Bull Air Race. Even worse conditions had cancelled Qualifying the previous day, and limited experience on the season’s most technical track so far gave the advantage to the more experienced pilots.
“It was crazy with the rain and wind,” said Dolderer. “After a penalty in my first flight today I thought it was just a bad weekend, but then the second flight went really well.
“I’m not focusing on the points standings,” he continued. “For me what counts is race by race, and our results are showing that all the hard work over the winter on the aircraft and myself paid off. We really look forward to the next race and will treat it as if we’re starting at zero.”
Dolderer also earned the DHL Fastest Lap Award, a component introduced this season that defines a new standard of speed at the Red Bull Air Race. Each race this season has seen a different result, with Dolderer, Arch, Hall and Martin Sonka of the Czech Republic each taking the honours.
Dolderer also won the DHL Fastest Lap award.
Results
Tickets for the next race in the UK at Ascot Racecourse on 13-14 August are on sale now.
