Chris Symon wins the battle and the war in Hampton Downs opener

Chris Symon is now the 2021-22 Hi-Q Components NZ Formula First Champion-elect after taking victory in the opening race of the season finale at Hampton Downs.

Symon’s victory gives him a 163-point lead over Dylan Grant (who finished second) and with only 150-points available in the final two races on Sunday, he has an unassailable points lead.

From the get-go Symon looked ready to rumble, showing his nose to the early race leader, Grant. The pair broke away from the rest of the field on the first lap, then traded blows all the way to the chequered flag where Symon timed his run perfectly to take the victory from Grant.

Behind the leaders, Jensen Foster drove to a comfortable third-place finish while Mason Potter and Liam Nicholson battled it out. Potter eventually sealed fourth over Nicholson in fifth.

Hayden Lines and Jenson Bate, both in hot contention for the rookie of the year title, were in fierce competition on the track too. Lines had the edge at the finish line, taking sixth with Bate in seventh. Bate now has just eight points over Lines in the championship battle.

Finishing in eighth place was series returnee Toby McCormack with Jack Groenewald in ninth and Paul McCormack tenth.

Mauro Iglesias finished 11th after spinning whilst running as high as sixth place. Daniel Peterson finished 12th while Zach Blincoe suffered a mechanical issue on the formation lap and didn’t make the start of the race.