Race Report

EUROPEAN SERIES, Rounds 11 & 12
ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP, Rounds 13 & 14
Formula Abarth

Circuit: Monza (I), Length 5.793 km, 15^th/16^th October 2011
www.monzanet.it

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2011:
Patric Niederhauser (CH), Robert Visoiu (ROM) and Samín Gómez (VEN)
Mediterranean Trophy: Kevin Jörg (CH)

Niederhauser wins the Italian Title
Double win for Niederhauser and Visoiu

The seventh and last race meeting of the Italian Formula Abarth Championship took place on the ultra fast circuit at Monza close to Milan. 27 drivers showed up to compete in the season’s showdown with four of those drivers still theoretically able to take the title: Patric Niederhauser (123 points), Sergey Sirotkin (116 points), Michael Heche (113 points) and Gerrard Barrabeig (99 points). A maximum of 36 points were up for grabs this weekend, and the races also counted towards the European Series and the Mediterranean Trophy (a special classification for rookies taking part in the Monza and Barcelona rounds). Expectations were running high!

Qualifying

Saturday, 15/10/11, 12.10 – 12.40, Weather: Sunny, 15°C

The rules of the championship only allow for one qualifying session, with each driver’s fastest lap determining their Race One grid positions. For Race Two the top eight are simply reversed, with the 8^th fastest driver starting from pole, the 7^th fastest starting from 7^th, and so on. From 9^th place on, the positions are decided based on the results of Race One.
The qualifying session was very exciting with the top five running each other very close right from the start. However, a red flag not long before the end brought the session to a temporary halt and meant that all 27 cars went back out for the restart in a tearing hurray. As always, the last possible lap of the session was going to be the fastest and Patric secured an excellent 3^rd place on the grid, Robert hauled himself up to 5^th, while Samin was in a good 18^th and Kevin was second fastest rookie in 16^th place.

Formula Abarth European Series & Formula Abarth Italian Championship

Race One (28 minutes + 1 lap)

Saturday, 15/10/11, 16.40, Weather: Sunny, 15°C

It was clear form the start that this race would be a hard fought battle between the leaders. Patric managed to overtake Sirotkin, but Sirotkin took the lead back almost immediately. Robert also made a good start and was 5^th, before he was struck from behind and spun, though at least he was able to continue, albeit it in 19^th. Kevin also got a good start and fought his way up to 12^th, while Samin hung onto 18^th during the initial melee. The Safety Car had to be deployed after Ramsay crashed, and a lap later, at the restart, things were just as fraught. Patric was fighting for the lead with Sirotkin and Heche, while Kevin held his position and Samin followed Robert up through the order as they both steadily made up places. Three laps later the Safety Car had to be deployed again, this time staying out for a number of laps while the damage was cleaned away. By the restart there were only two laps left to the chequered flag, so we were left with a sprint race. Patric was alongside Sirotkin as they went down the straight and launched his attack at the chicane, just as Heche came flying sideways. Patric’s efforts to avoid a collision cost him in terms of momentum and both Costa and Agostini were through. As they started the last lap Patric was 4^th. A Herculean effort saw him overtake Agostini by the end of the Parabolica, and he crossed the finish line in 3^rd. Kevin, meanwhile, was already up to 10^th and was clearly the best rookie, but another driver rammed him at the chicane and pushed him off track, ending his race two laps prematurely. He was still classified 21^st though. Samin again managed to avoid all the incidents and she had moved steadily up the order, finishing in an excellent 12^th place. Robert had also worked his way forward to exactly the same position as before, but after the restart he went flying over the kerbs and fell back again, finishing an eventful race in 19^th.

Formula Abarth European Series & Formula Abarth Italian Championship

Race Two (28 minutes + 1 lap)

Sunday, 16/10/11, 13.20, Weather: Sunny, 15°C

The title-deciding final race of the Italian championship started in beautiful sunshine, and Robert made the best start, moving into the lead from the lights. Behind him were Costa and Patric, while Samin was 10^th and Kevin 15^th at the end of the first lap. A lap later Patric had passed Costa and was in pursuit of Robert. It took him six laps to get into position and he made his move down the straight, taking the lead from Robert; he was never challenged again. Costa could only follow our two drivers for a handful of laps, before the two were left alone to lead the race. Neither of them made a mistake and they brought off a perfect double for the team. To our great joy it was enough to secure the Italian title for Patric! Samin got entangled in a series of battles with Piria, Bonifacio and Zonzini, but proved stronger in the end. After a great performance she finished the race in a brilliant 7^th place. Kevin was busy with his own battle with the rookie title contenders Urrutia and Bonetti, getting the better of Bonetti in the end. He finished a very good 10^th in the overall classification, and was 2^nd in the rookie classification. So today the team won the Italian championship with Patric Niederhauser and in addition finished in the top ten with all four drivers. In two weeks time European Series and the Mediterranean Rookie Trophy will be decided at Barcelona.

Championship Final Standings

Formula Abarth Italian Championship 2011 after 14 races:

1^st Patric Niederhauser (CH), 148 points; 2^nd Sergey Sirotkin (RUS), 136 points; 3^rd Michael Heche (CH), 136 points; 4^th Gerrard Barrabeig (E), 101 points; 5^th Nicolas Costa (BRA), 84 points; 6^th Robert Visoiu (ROM), 69 points; 16^th Samín Gómez (VEN), 8 points

Championship Standings

2011 Formula Abarth European Series after 12 out of 14 races:

1^st Sergey Sirotkin (RUS), 151 points; 2^nd Patric Niederhauser (CH), 124 points; 3^rd Michael Heche (CH), 93 points; 4^th Gerrard Barrabeig (E), 64 points; 5^th Robert Visoiu (ROM), 60 points; 6^th Lorenzo Camplese (I), 59 points; 16^th Samín Gómez, 8 points

Championship Standings

Formula Abarth Mediterranean Trophy 2011 after 2 out of 4 races:

1^st Santiago Urrutia (URU), 18 points; 2^nd Kevin Jörg (CH), 10 points; 2^nd Paolo Bonetti (I), 10 points; 4^th Valeria Carballo (VEN), 7 points; 5^th Gregor Ramsay (GB), 2 points

2011 FORMULA ABARTH RACE CALENDAR

2011 FORMULA ABARTH ITALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2011 FORMULA ABARTH EUROPEAN SERIES

2011 FORMEL ABARTH MEDITERRANEAN TROPHY

Read more:

• www.acisportitalia.it/ABARTH_IT
• www.acisportitalia.it/ABARTH_EU
• www.italiaracing.net