Three podiums in the opening four Red Bull Air Race Championship events have propelled Merewether’s Matt Hall into a commanding position in the 2018 season, and now the end of the road is coming into focus.
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Half way through the championship series, Hall finds himself two points ahead of the United States’ Michael Goulian (45 compared to 43) and may just have a target painted on his back as the race in the skies above Russia.
Last time Hall raced in Kazan he soared to a sixth place finish in a mixed season, with the Russian results one of his top 2017 placings.
Now he has Goulian, Czech Republic’s Martin Šonka and France’s Mika Brageot all nipping at his heels, and it’s sure to be a tense series return.
It’s a position he’s acutely aware of, and the Australian ace pilot spoke of one slip-up changing everything as the road to Russia shortens.
“I’m well aware that I’m one bad result away from not being in front if some of the others have a good result,” he said in the pre-race build-up. “We’re in a good spot though, and with a bit of luck we can do well.”
“In the end, to be world champion you have to beat everyone, and I already know that we’re going to finish well. We’re going to beat a lot of people now that we’re starting the second half of the season.”
Hall takes to the skies again on August 25 for the qualifying races in Kazan.
The race will be aired on Fox Sports Australia, and will have replays on TEN Motorsport. Replays are also available on-demand on Red Bull’s website.