Gabriel Bortoleto takes the highest step of the podium in the second FRECA race at Spa
The second Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine race at Spa Francorchamps put on a show, as usual, providing some excitement to the numerous spectators on the stands and paddock of the Belgian track.
The gold medal was awarded to Gabriel Bortoleto (R-ace GP) only once the engines had been switched off, as he crossed the line second under the chequered flag but was then crowned winner following the penalty imposed on teammate Hadrien David for overtaking poleman Paul Aron (Prema Racing) under safety car conditions. This manoeuvre relegated the French driver to the second position.
Behind R-ace GP drivers, the series leader Dino Beganovic (Prema Racing), winner of yesterday’s round, ended a perfect weekend third ahead of Aron.
Today’s race was marked by two neutralizations, the first one at the start following a multiple contact that knocked out the cars of Santiago Ramos (KIC Motorsport), hit by Esteban Masson’s (ART Grand Prix) car, following a manoeuvre triggered by Noel Leon (Arden Motorsport), who in turn collided with Lorenzo Fluxa (R-ace GP), Hamda Al Qubaisi (Prema Racing) and Pietro Armanni (Monolite Racing).
At the waving of the green flag, Beganovic managed to pass his teammate Aron, who was later also passed by Bortoleto on the sixth lap. Also in the spotlight was Eduardo Barrichello, author of a nice overtaking move on Tim Tramnitz (Trident Motorsport) which earned former Formula 1 driver Rubens’ son the fifth place. Afterwards, a round of applause was once again for Bortoleto, who took second place overtaking Beganovic.
Great comeback for Gabriele Minì (ART Grand Prix) who managed to finish sixth when he started tenth. Tramnitz also did well, first among the rookies and seventh overall, while Leonardo Fornaroli (Trident Motorsport), Owen Tangavelou (RPM) and Mari Boya (MP Motorsport) completed the top 10.
Piotr Wisnicki‘s (KIC Motorsport) off-track exit forced the second entry of the safety car, which remained on track until the end of the race.
The European series will be back on track after the summer break at the Austrian Red Bull Ring circuit on the weekend of 9-11 September.