Deutlicher Sieg für Roberto Merhi in Spa

Temperatur Strecke: 19,7 °C
Temperatur Luft: 16,2 °C
Das vierte Saisonrennen der ‚FIA Formula 3 International Trophy’ ging an den Spanier Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam). Der Tabellenführer feierte einen klaren Start-/Ziel-Sieg vor William Buller (Fortec Motorsport) und Jazeman Jaafar (Carlin). Carlos Muñoz (Signature) reihte sich auf der 7,004 Kilometer langen Grand-Prix-Strecke von Spa-Francorchamps als Vierter ein und war damit hinter Merhi zweitbester Vertreter der Formel 3 Euro Serie. Mit seinem Sieg baute Roberto Merhi seinen Vorsprung in der Gesamtwertung der ‚FIA Formula 3 International Trophy’ weiter aus.
Schon im Qualifying setzte Roberto Merhi ein deutliches Zeichen, als er sich mit einem Vorsprung von über einer Sekunde den ersten Startplatz holte. Beim Start behielt er seine Führung und erarbeitete sich einen Vorsprung. Nach einer Runde lag dieser schon bei drei Sekunden, im Ziel waren es fast 13 Sekunden. Merhis Teamkollege Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam) beendete das Rennen trotz eines aktivierten Feuerlöschers als Achter.
Auch für Marco Wittmann (Signature) lief es im ersten Lauf in Belgien nicht nach Wunsch. Schon in der ersten Kurve kollidierte er mit einem Kontrahenten, drehte sich und fiel ans Ende des Feldes zurück. Dann startete er eine Aufholjagd, die ihn bis auf Rang elf nach vorne brachte.
Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam): „Mein Start war gut, danach habe ich nur noch versucht, meinen Vorsprung auszubauen. Erst gegen Ende habe ich Gas rausgenommen, um meine Reifen zu schonen. Über diesen Triumph hier in Spa bin ich natürlich sehr glücklich. “
Carlos Muñoz (Signature): „Das Rennen war nicht einfach. Durch Marcos Unfall, der direkt vor mir passierte, habe ich ein paar Plätze verloren, konnte mir die Positionen aber wiederholen. Platz vier im Rennen ist in Ordnung.“
Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): „In der ersten Runde ist mir der Feuerlöscher hochgegangen, danach konnte ich erst einmal nichts mehr sehen. Außerdem hat mich jemand berührt, weshalb ich einige Positionen zurückgefallen bin. Aber ich konnte mich wieder nach vorne kämpfen.“

www.f3euroseries.com

ENGSTLER LOOKS FORWARD TO HOME RACE

German racer Franz Engstler is looking forward to his home WTCC event this weekend at Oschersleben.
Two weeks ago at Donington Park, at the wheel of his BMW 320 TC run by the Liqui Moly team, Engstler claimed his best result ever in WTCC, finishing third in the second race behind the Chevrolet Cruze cars of Yvan Muller and Rob Huff.
This also enabled him to close the gap in the Yokohama Trophy where he currently lies fourth, only ten points behind Norbert Michelisz.
Engstler, who turned 50 last Monday, hopes to have another positive weekend at the Motorsport Arena.
"My podium in the second race at Donington showed that our BMW 320 TC is really working well. I am obviously very much up for the races in Oschersleben. Another top result would be the perfect belated birthday present!"



Franz Engstler and his team aim for another great result at Oschersleben

PEPE ORIOLA SHINES IN FIA THE EUROPEAN CUP
WTCC youngest racer, Pepe Oriola finished runner up to touring car star Fabrizio Giovanardi in the FIA European Touring Car Cup that took place last weekend at the Austrian Salzburgring.
In difficult weather conditions, with the track flooded by pouring rain, the 17-year old Spaniard showed that his first year in WTCC is bringing him to maturity very quickly, and just like a veteran he fought with Giovanardi with no awes.
Giovanardi’s Honda Accord and Oriola’s SEAT León TDi shared victories and second places, but the title was awarded on the basis of the qualifying points, which meant that Giovanardi was crowned champion by one mere point thanks to his pole position.
Oriola said: "Second behind Giovanardi was a great result for me and the team. I did my best to follow him in the first race and pushed at the maximum in the second. I am also very proud to be the driver who gave the SEAT TDi its last victory."



Pepe Oriola on his way to win the FIA ETCC Race 2 at the Salzburgring

CERQUI TESTS FOR ROAL MOTORSPORT
Taking the opportunity of a test session with Tom Coronel at the Adria Raceway, in order to prepare this weekend’s event at Oschersleben, the ROAL Motorsport team offered to Alberto Cerqui his first drive in the WTCC BMW 320 TC.
Cerqui, only 19-years old, is one of ROAL Motorsport’s regular drivers in the Superstars series in which he currently lies second in the points after claiming his first race win three weeks ago at Misano.
"I was very impressed by the WTCC car. Its strong points are the agility in changing direction and over the kerbs, the braking and cornering speed. The 1.6-litre turbo engine supplies the power in a very peculiar way and needs to adjust a bit the driving style. I thank the team for giving me this opportunity that I hope could be repeated in the future," said Cerqui.

HUFF AND MENU TO RACE IN ARGENTINA
Chevrolet WTCC drivers Alain Menu and Rob Huff will take part in the 200 Km of Buenos Aires, the main event of Argentina’s TC2000 championship, at the wheel of Cruze cars run by the Equipo Oficial Chevrolet.
This year the race takes place on 21st August and has been moved from the Autódromo Municipal de Buenos Aires to the Autódromo Roberto Mouras in La Plata, in the surroundings of the federal capital.
It is a tradition for the Chevrolet WTCC drivers to join their Argentine fellow drivers in this traditional event that attracts touring car specialists from worldwide and huge crowds. Alain Menu has been a regular invitee in recent years, winning the race in 2006, while Rob Huff will be competing for the second time.
The Equipo Oficial Chevrolet are campaigning two Cruze cars in the TC2000, achieving excellent results with Agustín Canapino and Christian Ledesma.

www.fiawtcc.com