“Congratulations to Bonhomme – he is a worthy world champion. We made things very difficult for ourselves, but it went right down to the last run – definitely not a situation for weak nerves! Of course I am disappointed and I will need a little time to digest what has happened, but we will give absolutely everything to reclaim the title in 2010,” explained Arch after the grand finale featuring the fastest four pilots.

Arch risked everything in the final with one last throw of the dice, but the Austrian pushed it a little too far and picked up a six-second penalty after a spectacular pylon hut, dashing any remaining chances of defending his 2008 title. Briton Bonhomme sealed the world championship title with the fastest time of the day and victory in Barcelona.

The win in Qualifying on Saturday had boosted Arch’s hopes of forcing Bonhomme off the top of the overall standings at the very last moment, and Sunday’s race started in the same vein as the Austrian dominated the first run of the day, with Bonhomme only just squeezing into the top eight to qualify for the next round of the final. However, it wasn’t to be as the Briton showed his class in the remaining rounds of the final, flying clean, fast runs.

After winning the 2009 season opener in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Arch managed to finish third in the next race in San Diego (USA) despite a spectacular collision with a pelican. A second place in Windsor (CAN) was followed by fourth spot in Budapest (HUN) and another second place at the penultimate race of the season in Porto (POR).

Final result: Red Bull Air Race Barcelona 2009:
1. Paul Bonhomme (GBR), 2. Nigel Lamb (GBR), 3. Matthias Dolderer (GER), 4. Hannes Arch (AUS)
Final standings: Red Bull Air Race World Championship 2009
1. Paul Bonhomme (GBR) 67 points, 2. Hannes Arch (AUT) 60 points, 3. Mat Hall (AUS) 36 points

Pictures free for editorial use only: Jörg Mitter, Andreas Schaad, Daniel Grund for Global Newsroom.com