Bonhomme takes out Red Bull, Hall finishes third

Briton Paul Bonhomme has taken out the 2009 Red Bull Air Race after winning the final round of the Race in Barcelona, while Australian rookie Matt Hall finished his first championship in third place.

Bonhomme secured the championship from Austrian Hannes Arch after winning the round, with compatriot Nigel Lamb coming second while German rookie Matthias Dolderer made his first podium finish taking out third. Bonhomme finished the series on 67 points, ahead of Arch on 60 while Hall slid into third place with 36 points, making it the best performance by a rookie in the history of the race.

“It was a real good fight all year,” said Arch in congratulating Bonhomme. “Paul didn’t get anything for free. I was always setting the fastest times and pushing him. I had to go all out in the final. You can’t win if you sit on the brakes. I’m really happy with my performance. There’s nothing to be disappointed about. I gave everything I had. We’ll see what happens next year.”