FORMULA class: Raghunathan catches win in the last lap
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.
“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.
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:
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