On his second single-seater meeting in the streets of Pau, Dorian Boccolacci left his mark by climbing twice on the highest step of the podium and taking the lead in the French F4 Championship overall classification. The competition will stop for a few weeks before the Val de Vienne meeting in early July, but the Lotus F1 Junior Team driver has already taken command despite the difficult conditions of this urban circuit in the South West of France.

The Pau race is a very tough one and no mistake is allowed; its circuit consists of the city centre streets, with no runaway, and it is often compared to Monaco's. As in the Principality of Monaco, overtaking is very difficult. Another thing these two circuits have in common is the fact that it is not possible to explore the track before the free session. A victory in Pau, just as in Monaco or Macao, is a success more important than the others in a list of achievements.

Dorian arrived in the Béarnaise city with just one previous experience with single-seater competitions, in Le Mans, where he conquered his first podium. He followed closely the suggestions of more experienced drivers and was very cautious when he explored the circuit during free session. «I focussed on learning the circuit. I wanted to drive as many laps as possible», Dorian explained. «But when I saw my position compared to that of the others, 7th at 9 tenths off the fastest driver, I said to myself that I needed to increace the pace a bit!»

No sooner said than done, Dorian increased his speed during the qualifying session despite a few disruptions on the track and set his fastest time - 1'19''629 - as well as his second best time with only a few laps to go; thanks to these two performances, he took pole at the start of Race 3 and of Race 1. A big step closer to victory!

What came next? It was important to make a good start or rather several good starts, because these races are often stopped with the red flag. He accomplished his mission at the start of Race 1, and then again when the race was re-started, after a chain crash behind him. Each time, Dorian overtook Lasse Sorensen, his main rival. Then he had to manage the threat posed by the Danish driver in the early laps to prevent him from overtaking. Dorian's times improved as the race went by and he concluded in the lead with the fastest lap.

The reverse-grid system was applied to the first 10 drivers in Race 2 and Dorian started 10th on the grid. He did not try too hard to overtake the fast drivers who preceded him; he decided wisely to avoid damaging his car and crossed the finish line 9th.

On Sunday, Race 3 looked pretty much like Race 1. Dorian made a good start, and another one when the race started again after a red flag; he was ideally placed when the safety car left the track, he controlled Sorensen in the early laps and then took a slight lead over him just near the finish line.

«I much enjoyed driving in the streets of Pau. It was very exciting! It is very gratifying to win two races on the same weekend, especially because now I am the leader of the French Championship! I wish to thank all those who have helped me in preparing special meeting and who will recognise themselves!»