RUSSIAN DANIIL KVYAT WINS THE 2012 FORMULA RENAULT 2.0 ALPS SEASON FIRST RACE IN MONZA
The Russian Daniil Kvyat is the first winner of the 2012 Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS. In Monza, the young Koiranen Motorsport driver was the undisputed actor of the first part of the weekend, setting third fastest in qualify, when however he failed to use at the best the stream of the other competitors, and being author of an excellent start.
Behind him the English Interwetten.com driver Melville McKee, that managed to stay up front of the French Paul-Loup Chatin (Tech1 Racing), this morning pole setter. With an astonishing figure of 32 cars, the first race of the weekend of the Fast Lane Promotion Series, proved interesting, with plenty of action and two Safety Cars. Also in evidence William Vermont, who started from the first row. The driver from France (Arta Engineering) suffered some bad luck loosing positions lap after lap. Fourth place for the Colombian Oscar Tunjo, Chatin team mate, that fought till the end with the other RC Formula Frenchman Norman Nato. A good start for Simone Iaquinta, for Team Torino Motorsport and the best among the Italians finishing sixth ahead of Brazilian Guilherme Silva (Interwetten.com).
THE REPORT.
Chatin is able to defend his pole followed by Kvyat and Melville. Back in 4th place Vermont who started from the first row. However an early crash in the Parabolica soon caused the first Safety Car which led the group for three laps. At the restart Kvyat is still the pace setter jumping in first place just before the Roggia. Position lost to McKee as well for Chatin, now closely chased by Vermont. With the top 11 in just more than 7”, in fifth place we do have Nato, struggling with the Colombian Tunjo and the German Wackerbauer. At lap seven Bosak and Nicola De Val end up in the gravel at the Ascari for the second Safety Car. Two more laps and a new green flag... While Vermont is still losing ground, Kvyat gains a short margin over the group which he is capable to keep till the end. McKee is second, followed at five tenth by Chatin.
«It was an hard race - commented Kvyat while on podium - specifically for the two Safety Cars and for the several yellow flags. In any case better than this way was not possible to start the season».
«In the first lap me and Chatin touched - said McKee - and starting since then I experienced steering wheel problems. Being capable of finishing second was simply amazing».
Race 2 of the weekend will start tomorrow (Sunday 25th March) at 14.45 and will still last 25 minutes plus a lap.
Race 1 (top five): 1. Daniil Kvyat RUS (Koiranen Motorsport) 13 laps, 28.35”903; 2. Melville McKee GB (Interwetten.com) 2.347; 3. Paul-Loup Chatin F (Tech1 Racing) 2.891; 4. Oscar Tunjo COL (Tech1 Racing) 3.577; 5. Norman Nato F (RC Formula) 3.763. 25 other drivers follow
