FORMULA class: Raghunathan catches win in the last lap
September 30, 2017

What an exciting race at the “Peroni Race Weekend” in Imola. After the exit of Johann Ledermair (Ledermair Motorsport) before Qualifying, an exciting duel on top of the FORMULA class between Salvatore De Plano (MM International Motorsport) and Mahaveer Raghunathan (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) was expected. 

Due to technical problems FORMULA class leader Ledermair had to exit the race-weekend, before it even had begun. So all eyes were set on runner-up Salvatore De Plano and Mahaveer Raghunathan. With a successful completion of their races, the Championship decision of the FORMULA class could get a completely new drive.

Florian Schnitzenbaumer (Top Speed), who had performed a strong Qualifying with aiming startposition 3 for the race, dropped out of the race already in lap 1, due to technical problems with the engine. It can be assumed, that Schnitzenbaumer will compete in second race of the weekend on Sunday (start: 11:00 a.m.).

While Ingo Gerstl (Top Speed) and Rinus van Kalmthout (Mansell Motorsport, both OPEN class) drove in their own league on top of the field (both classes, FORMULA and OPEN, start in the same race), there was a strong battle behind the two leading drivers of the grid. Raghunathan kept the lead against De Plano sharply behind him, beating off the attacks of the Italian. In sixth lap De Plano finally overtook the Indian and defended the overall position 3 of the grid massively, driving his Dallara GP 2 to the limit. But – two laps before finish, the brake-disc of De Plano broke down, he had to let pass Raghunathan and finished the race finally on FORMULA position 2, overall position 4 of the grid.

 

De Plano (l.) versus Raghunathan (r.) in Imola 2017.

De Plano (l.) versus Raghunathan (r.) in Imola 2017.

 

“I am really disappointed”, De Plano told us after the race. “It was a great race in the beginning, I overtook Raghunathan and everything went well. Imola is a great track, driving in your home country is always special. So I was very happy, to race up in front of Raghunathan. But when the brake disc broke down, the ultimate chance for the Championship broke down as well. I can’t be happy with the P2 right now”, he resumed right after the podium ceremony.

Meanwhile Mahaveer Raghunathan was more than happy about his P1. “The race was good. Now I hope, tomorrow I win again. I am very happy, winning here in Imola and I will try everything, to win the second race in Imola again”, Raghunathan told us ofter the race. His ambitions for winning the Championship 2017 of the FORMULA class got new drive by todays race-day.

 

Imola 2017.

Battle for the P3 between Walter Steding (l.) and Armando Mangini (r.) Imola 2017.

 

Another thrilling duel was the battle between Walter Steding (Inter Europol Competition) and Armando Mangini (MM International Motorsport) on position 6 and 7 of the overall start grid, meaning position 3 and 4 of the FORMULA class. While Steding started from position 6, he was overtaken by Mangini in lap 6. Both cars kept close together, having only a little gap between the two of them for the rest of the race. Mangini finally made it to the P3 of the race.

René Kouwenberg (De Boer Manx) improved his performance over the race weekend and finished on position 6 in front of Martin Kindler (Jenzer Motorsport) on position 7. Karl-Heinz Becker (Becker Motorsport) on position 8 and Nicolas Matile (PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport) on position 9 followed. PETER had exited the race already before starting the engine, due to technical issues, which caused him quite a bit of trouble during free practices and Qualifying.

It will be an exciting second race day on Sunday. Cars will be on track for the very last season race on 11:00 a.m. Find live coverage and updates not only on our website, but also on all our social media channels:

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Results of race 1, seasonrace 13, of FORMULA class at “Peroni Race Weekend”:

Position No. Name Nat. Team Car Time Fastest lap (min) In Gap (s) Laps km/h
1 115 Mahaveer Raghunathan IND PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Dallara Lola 21:57,218 1:31,644 3 14  278,1
2 999 Salvatore De Plano ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2  22:39,654 1:31,618  5 42,436 14 295,6
4 323 Armando Mangini ITA MM International Motorsport Dallara GP2  21:28,231 1:37,129  7 1 lap 13 293,2
5 505 Walter Steding GER Inter Europol Competition Dallara GP2  21:33,999 1:37,474 13 1 lap 13 291,6
6  139 René Kouwenberg NED De Boer Manx Dallara GP2  21:35,576 1:37,220 12 1 lap 13 294,0
7 430 Martin Kindler SUI Jenzer Motorsport Nissan World Series  22:00,765 1:39,686 10 1 lap 13 273,2
8 411 Karl-Heinz Becker GER Becker Motorsport Super Nissan World Series  22:05,020 1:39,414 10 1 lap 13 279,5
9 116 Nicolas Matile SUI PS Racing by Coloni Motorsport Lola Auto GP  20:50,441 1:42,153 10 2 laps 12 276,0
10 111 ‘PETER’ FRA Ray-Ban World Series by Renault
11 888 Florian Schnitzenbaumer GER Top Speed Dallara GP2

MORE:

Picture gallery of Imola 2017: bossgp.com/gallery/imola-boss-gp-superprix

Schedule Imola 2017: bossgp.com/timetable-for-the-peroni-race-weekend-in-imola-ita

FORMULA class: Qualifying Imola 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-florian-schnitzenbaumer-drives-to-the-top

FORMULA class: Second free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-de-plano-chasing-best-lap-time

FORMULA class: First free practice in Imola 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-fastest-lap-at-first-free-practice-for-raghuanthan

FORMULA class: Start list Imola 2017: bossgp.com/formula-class-start-list-for-boss-gp-superprix-in-imola-ita-is-set

Standings of season 2017: bossgp.com/standings

30/09/2017

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