Yoshihide Muroya stormed into the 2019 season like a man on a mission. He wants the world title back, and after two races it looked as though no other pilot could catch him. 

After Kazan Muroya had collected 53 out of a possible 56 points, thanks to one Qualifying win and two race wins. He was nine points ahead at the top of the standings, with Sonka in second, and Hall 17 points behind in third.

Some elite athletes can be skittish about sharing their routines and rituals, but Red Bull Air Race pilot Matt Hall isn’t one of them. The Australian provides a behind-the-scenes look at his typical day at a World Championship stop, moment by moment.  

With his victory at Lake Balaton, only September’s season finale left to race, Matt Hall has put himself squarely in contention for the title. After earning four World Championship podiums without attaining the top step, Hall has just one more chance to claim the trophy. And he’s aiming to make the most of it.

Having joined the World Championship in 2009, Hall is in his eighth season, and his record of 24 race podiums – including seven wins – makes him the most successful Red Bull Air Race pilot never to have won a season title.

But he has come very, very close.

It has been a trying week for the pilots, but like the pros they are, they delivered a spectacular race. Here’s what they thought of it. 
 
1st Matt Hall

There hasn’t been a moment’s rest in Matthias Dolderer’s hangar since he clipped a pylon in Qualifying in Kazan causing damage that put him out of the race. As a result there was much work needed on the raceplane to make it competitive for this weekend’s race in Hungary. 

It was a race against the clock for Dolderer, and his technical team, especially race technician Kai Frommelt, who had to ensure everything was fixed and signed off in time for the Lake Balaton round.  

Yoshihide Muroya has won 50 per cent of this season’s races. He wants a full house, and to ultimately be crowned World Champion for the second time in his career... but this time he wants that crowning glory to take place in front of his home fans!

Qualifying today saw Mika Brageot take the top spot for the first time in his Master Class career, while Dolderer’s pylon hit means he won’t compete tomorrow. 

Yoshihide Muroya
“I think I did a good run, but the winds have shifted so it’s a little bit difficult, but I think I did a good job. I don’t expect anything tomorrow, I will just do my job and try to get to the Final 4.”

The pilots are back in the track after an extended break. They are excited to be competing again. Here's their first impressions of the 2019 Kazan circuit...

Today saw the Challengers test their racing lines in Free Practice 1 and 2. Here’s what they thought of their flying today…

Since Abu Dhabi last year Michael Goulian has been in the form of his racing career. And it’s clear to see that the green shoots of that form started to show in Kazan 2017. 

The first visit to Russia for the Air Race saw Goulian claim his first podium since 2009. He finished third behind Pete McLeod and Kirby Chambliss, which made it a full North American podium.