The BMW Teo Martín pair becomes the first double race winner in 2016Cioci-Perazzini (AF Ferrari) and Caldarelli-Liuzzi (FFF Lambo) complete the podium ahead of the other two heros of the day: Hankey-Yoluc (TF Aston) and Biagi-Crestani (Orange 1 Lambo)Braams-Barreiros (V8 Racing Renault) take another great GT Am win
Miguel Ramos and Roldán Rodríguez are the first drivers to take a second win this season in the GT Open. The BMW Team Teo Martín pair conquered Race 1 at the Paul Ricard at the end of a sensational 5-car fight that will be remembered as one of the most exciting and spectacular moments in the series’ history. The breathless show ended with Cioci-Perazzini (AF Corse Ferrari) taking second and Caldarelli-Liuzzi (FFF Racing Lambo) completing the podium, but Hankey-Yoluc (TF Sport Aston Martin) and Biagi-Crestani (Orange1 Lambo) who completed the top 5 deserve equal praise for being actors of such a memorable moment.
The GT Am race also saw a nice duel, with Filipe Barreiros-Max Braams (V8 Racing Renault RS01) beating initial leaders António Coimbra-Luis Silva (Sports&You Mercedes).
THE RACE - Poleman Ledogar kicks off first pulls away while it is hotter for second between Crestani and Yacaman for second with Ramos, Alvarez, Perazzini and Liuzzi following. Benham pits following a contact with Coimbra and spin. In the lead, Ledogar pulls away at a pace of 2 seconds per lap. Later, Liuzzi will take sixth from Perazzini, while Balfe fights to pass Busnelli for 10th.
In lap 12, with Ledogar leading on Crestani by 15.6 seconds, Ramos is third having passed Yacamán whose pace has diminished, while Yoluc has passed Perazzini for 7th. Drama strikes one lap later, as Ledogar suffers a puncture on the rear left in the straight, having to complete a full lap at reduced soeed. The pit stop is used to change driver as well, with the McLaren opening the driver change ballet, while Crestani, now in the lead, stays on track trying to increase his advantage (12”) on a fantastic Alvarez, who has managed to pass Yacamán for 2nd.
After all stops, in lap 18, Rodríguez leads with 6 seconds over Biagi and 11 on De Castro.
Hankey is fourth, ahead of Caldarelli, Cioci and Monje, all within 20 seconds from the lead. One lap later, Hankey takes 3rd, while Monje stops in the pits with a broken alternator. The gap between Rodriguez and Biagi remains stable (6”), with Hankey a lone third while both Caldarelli and Cioci have passed De Castro. It’s full battle in GT Am as Max Braams has catch Luis Silva on the Mercedes that led since the start.
Last 15 minutes see the four first cars getting very close together and Cioci joining them soon after. A superb battle between all of them develops, with Rodríguez keeping a slight advantage in the initial phase. Three laps from the end, Hankey touches Biagi at the first chicane, sending him into a spin. The Lambo is out of the race for victory but Hankey, Caldarelli and Cioci are now right under the BMW’s wing. The three and even the four cars are often abreast! It’s a terrific show, not exempt of rubbing, touching and going wide, but always fair. After an incredible last lap, Rodríguez manages to keep the advantage, with Cioci second, Caldarelli third and Hankey fourth. Biagi, Babini, Keen, De Castro and West complete the top nine. Also in GT Am, there is a nice final battle, with Braams passing Silva and Lémeret taking third.
(Results are provisional at the time of publishing this report, as a number of race facts are pending investigation)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 5 OF 14
Overall: 1. Keen-Balfe, 55 points; 2. Ramos-Rodriguez, 49; 3. Crestani-Biagi, 46; 4. Tappy-Benham, 44; 5.
Pastorelli-Webster, 40; 6. Cioci, 33; etc
Pro-Am: 1. Keen-Balfe, 22 points; 2. Tappy-Benham, Pastorelli-Webster, 18; 4. Biagi-Crestani, 15; 5. Ramos-Rodríguez, West, 10; etc
GT-Am: 1. Silva-Coimbra, 17 points; 2. Lémeret-Sdanewitsch, 16; 3. Barreiros, 11; 4. Sijthof, 6; 5. Nogueira, Braams, 5.
Teams: 1. Garage59, 20; 2. BMW Teo Martín, 14; 3. Balfe Motorsport, 18; 4. Orange1 Team Lazarus, 12;
5. Drivex School, V8 Racing, 8; 7. AF Corse, 6; 8. Ebimotors, 3.
