Sonka stuns rivals with Porto win

In front of 600,000 people Martin Sonka flew the perfect round to take his second win of the season and his place at the top of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship standings.

The Czech pilot was first to fly in the Final 4 and when he crossed the finish line, had set a time of 1:07.229 – the fastest time of the day, and the one all the other pilots had to beat.

Second into the track was Kirby Chambliss, trying to get his third win in a row. The American was looking so good in the track, he was collecting green split times until Gate 9 where he was penalised for climbing in the gate. After that he posted a time of 1:09.141. That penalty cost him a podium finish and he came in fourth. Without that penalty he would've won.

Pete McLeod was third to fly and really wanted to win here. He pushed and pushed, but couldn't beat Sonka's time – he could only finish 0.113s behind Sonka.

Matt Hall was last to fly in the Final 4. Just before he entered the track he heard that Chambliss had collected a penalty and knew that if he flew cleanly he would get his first podium in over a year. So the Australian didn't push too hard and finished third.

The result now sees Martin Sonka four points clear at the top of the standings on 54 points. Pete McLeod is second on 50 and Kirby Chambliss has now dropped to third on 47 points.

They will all be heading to Lausitz for race seven, taking place on 15-16 September.

Photo credit: Joerg Mitter / Red Bull Content Pool