In only his second race meeting in a single-seater car after a career in karting which netted two world titles, Novalak (17) upstaged Marcus Armstrong, Richard Verschoor and Robert Shwartzman, who have dominated the racing so far in the series but finished in that order behind him. Christchurch’s Armstrong had qualified on pole position but, from the outside of the front row, Novalak won the race to the first corner with a better start.
"It was my best start of the weekend," the London -based French teenager said in reference to the morning’s preliminary race, where he jumped the start and was penalised 5sec, relegating him from second to fifth place.
"I am lost for words," Novalak, who controlled the pace and gradually pulled away from the pursuing Armstrong, who in turn came under pressure from Verschoor in the closing laps, said.
Armstrong conceded he would have liked to win, but the bigger picture was just as important.
"We got the round win and if we can continue like this I will be happy."
Armstrong was the most consistent of the main contenders over the weekend and has extended his lead in the series to 28 points over Shwartzman. Verschoor is another 47 points back.
