Bukhantsov Takes Two Wins as Gulf Radical Cup Opens at Yas Marina

Bukhantsov left the opening round as championship leader following victories in the first sprint and the endurance finale. Ilia Sidorov, Alexander Chachava and Andy Lowe shared the National Class honours.

Qualifying – Bukhantsov Sets the Pace

Continental Racing’s Bukhantsov secured sprint pole with a lap of 1:58.316, finishing 0.229 seconds clear of Geshev. Team-mate Vasily Vladykin qualified third, ahead of Dream Racing’s Amir Feyzulin.

Sidorov led the National Class runners in fifth overall, ahead of Johnny Khazzoum and Chachava. Bukhantsov secured a second pole in Sunday’s endurance qualifying, improving to 1:58.008 ahead of Vladykin and Geshev. Chachava took National Class pole in fourth overall.

Sprint Race 1 – Bukhantsov Leads Continental Racing One-Two

The opening 25-minute sprint delivered a three-way fight for victory.

Vladykin made a strong start from third, passing Geshev and briefly taking the lead from Bukhantsov on the opening lap. Bukhantsov reclaimed the position on lap two and stayed ahead to the finish.

Geshev kept both Continental Racing drivers under pressure, setting the fastest lap on lap four with a 1:59.626. Bukhantsov won by 0.784 seconds from Vladykin, with Geshev third, 2.511 seconds behind the winner. Feyzulin completed the top four.

Sidorov claimed National Class victory in fifth overall, while Alain Alfonsi climbed from 13th on the grid to sixth overall and second in class. Serhii Volobuiev secured third in class despite a five-second penalty, ahead of Lowe.

The shared Dubai Drives Racing entry of Tom Brewer and Alex Bambrough finished ninth overall, just 0.041 seconds ahead of Dmitrii Shishko after penalties were applied. Aqib Chowdhury recovered from a pit lane start to finish 11th.

Sprint Race 2 – Geshev Strikes Back

Geshev responded with victory in the second sprint, holding off Bukhantsov by just 0.373 seconds.

The former champion moved ahead in the opening stages, while Feyzulin climbed to third ahead of Vladykin. A late safety car period left little racing time, but Bukhantsov maintained the pressure at the restart as both leaders lapped below two minutes.

Geshev set the fastest lap of 1:59.924 and held his advantage to the flag. Feyzulin completed the podium, finishing 0.393 seconds ahead of Vladykin.

Chachava recovered from his opening-race retirement to win National Class in fifth overall. Lowe finished sixth overall and second in class, ahead of Khazzoum, who also bounced back from retirement in the first sprint to claim a class podium.

Sidorov finished fourth in class, just 0.346 seconds ahead of Volobuiev, while Alfonsi completed the overall top ten.

With a victory apiece for Bukhantsov and Geshev, the endurance finale offered a chance for either driver to leave Yas Marina with a second win.

Endurance Race – Bukhantsov Wins as Lowe Takes Overall Podium

Bukhantsov secured his second victory in a dramatic 45-minute finale shaped by safety car interruptions, early retirements and a recovery drive from Geshev.

Bukhantsov led from pole with Vladykin close behind, while Feyzulin climbed from fifth to third at the start. National Class pole-sitter Chachava retired after one lap.

Geshev sustained damage at the first corner and pitted for repairs, dropping to the back of the 20-car field before beginning his recovery.

In National Class, Lowe passed Sidorov on the opening lap, only for Sidorov to retake the position on lap two. Alfonsi, Shishko and Khazzoum were also involved in the midfield battle.

Following an early safety car period, Bukhantsov and Vladykin continued to lead, their fastest laps separated by just 0.008 seconds. Bukhantsov crossed the line 0.470 seconds ahead to secure another Continental Racing one-two.

Lowe finished third overall and won National Class, just 0.951 seconds behind Bukhantsov. Geshev recovered to fourth, a further 0.436 seconds back.

Sidorov finished fifth overall and second in class, with Alfonsi sixth overall and third in class. Just 1.468 seconds covered the three National Class podium finishers.

Chowdhury completed another recovery drive to seventh overall, ahead of Shishko, Mark Berg and Rithvik Karthik.

Championship Battle Takes Shape

Bukhantsov’s two victories put him at the head of the championship, but Geshev’s sprint win and Vladykin’s three podium finishes established both as early challengers.

National Class produced three winners from three races, with Sidorov, Chachava and Lowe each taking a turn on the top step. Alfonsi’s two class podiums and top-ten finish in every race also marked him out as a contender.

The Gulf Radical Cup returns to action in Dubai at the end of November.