Michele Rugolo and Pasin Lathouras (AF Corse Ferrari) took a resounding win today in a hot Race 1 at Red Bull Ring, after a close and lively duel with the AERT Lamborghini Gallardo of Álvaro Barba-Anton Nebylitsky. The Ferrari dominated stint 1 but having to serve a 10-second handicap lost the lead after the pit stop. Only in the closing laps, Lathouras managed to pass Nebylitskiy to sign a second seasonal success and retake the points leadership in the standings, only three points ahead of Ramos-Parente (Teo Martín McLaren) today 5th after starting from the back of the grid.
Behind the AERT pair, who took a stunning first podium, Nicola Benucci-Alessandro Balzan (Villorba Ferrari) beat AF Corse’s Giammaria-Companc for third after another great duel, while Claudio Sdanewitsch-Ilya Melnikov regained victory in GT- Am.
THE RACE – Poleman Ramos is forced to start from last position, as the turbo pressure of the McLaren had a peak beyond what allowed by the BoP during Q1. It’s Rugolo inheriting pole and taking the advantage at the start on Barba, Roda, Companc, Talkanitsa jr, Benucci and Barreiros. Companc takes third in lap 3, as Ramos is already in P9 but remains stuck for a while behind Cameron.
By lap 10, the advantage of Rugolo on Barba is only 0.8 seconds, with Companc a lone third and then Talakanitsa jr, Roda, Benucci and Ramos. In lap 15, Cameron, Ramos and Sdanewitsch are the first ones to stop for driver change. Rugolo and Barba are the last two to pit, with one lap difference and the Ferrari having to serve a 10-second handicap, which puts it back to track right after the Lambo, now leading with Nebylitskiy. ./..
Giammaria is third 20” behind, followed by Talkanitsa sr, Balzan, Roda, Griffin and Parente. Then, Melnikov, Rasmussen and Flohr, also in that order in GT-Am.
Only 2 seconds separate the leading Lambo and the Ferrari; the gap will close but there is no direct fight as the Lambo pulls off in the straights to keep the advantage. Giammaria is third but has to defend from the attacks of Balzan, who eventually passes in lap 38. One lap later, it’s Lathouras passing Nebylitskiy with a beautiful move on turn 2. The Thai will win with 5 seconds on the Lambo, then Balzan, Giammaria and Roda. Melnikov takes the win in GT-Am ahead of Rasmussen and Flohr, with James Abbott-Chris Hoy beating Unzurrunzaga the GT-Am Cup.