Only a technical problem could keep Racing Engineering fromcelebrating a double victory at its home track in Jerez. RicardoRisatti, the team’s best driver during this weekend, enters intothe fight for the championship title again and RacingEngineering has wrapped up its fifth consecutive teamchampionship title.
Ricardo Risatti, who set the rhythm in race 1, suffered from anengine problem shortly after half the distance, which didn’t allow himto defend his position against Soucek and Aicart. Ricardo, who wasdefinitely the driver who set the standard during this race meeting,was nevertheless rewarded during race 2, where he celebrated anexcellent start to finish victory. After this weekend, Ricardo’s gap tothe championship leader has been reduced to 9 points.
It will therefore be Barcelona, where the championship will be decided.
Javier Villa on the other hand had a black Sunday. A slight exit of thetrack at the start of the 1st race prevented him from winning a racethat, given the young Spaniard’s speed, would have been easily his.The way Javier climbed back up the order from last to 5th positionleaves no doubt about this. However, in the 2nd race Javiercommitted an error when passing the braking point and hit anotherdriver. Javier was able to continue but was sanctioned with a 20seconds stop & go penalty, which didn’t allow him to make it into thepoints anymore. Nevertheless, Javier marked the fastest lap times inboth Sunday races.
The Red Bull backed Racing Engineering driver in car number 3,Filipe Albuquerque, finished race 1 in 4th position and suffered fromVilla’s incident in race two, which made him fall back into 16thposition. However, Filipe was able to recuperate 7 positions duringthe remaining laps and finished 9th.
In the Spanish Formula 3 Cup Marcos Martinez climbed onto thepodium twice when winning race 1 and finishing the second in 3rdposition. In the championship classification Marcos is only 8 pointsbehind the leader, leaving him with perfect options for the last racemeeting in Barcelona and given the fact that he currently is thestrongest driver in his category.
The teams’ championship, however, is already decided as RacingEngineering has for the fifth consecutive time wrapped up the title,leaving no doubt about who is the most competitive team in thechampionship.
Ricardo Risatti: “In race 1 I didn’t have a good start, but was able tostay in first. From that moment on I took it quite calmly as there wasoil on the track. Unfortunately, shortly after half the race distance,some part of my engine broke and I had to let some other driverspass but was able to finish in third. In race 2 I had a much better startand during the safety car period there was some confusion, butnothing of importance. When the safety car retired I pushed and untilthree laps before the end had the fastest lap, but then my tyres didn’tallow any better times anymore.”
Marcos Martinez Ucha: “My start in race 1 was really good, but anincident at the end of the straight forced me to brake and losevarious positions. But I was able to recuperate positions thanks tothe fantastic car I had and I obtained the victory in this race. In race 2I lost two positions at the start and a small error a bit later made mego off track a bit. I could continue and finished 3rd. I am 8 points fromthe 1st position in the championship and will fight hard to take it overin Barcelona.”
Alfonso de Orleáns-Borbón: “I am not as happy as I would like to be.We had a great opportunity to secure the drivers’ championship andwe missed it. Now the situation is a bit more complicated. Now wehave to wait for Barcelona, try to win both races there and see whatthe other drivers are up to. But at least we have achieved our 5thteams championship title, which leaves no doubt about the quality ofour cars.”
1st race:1. A. Soucek R. Llusia Racing 25:50:1032. J. Perez Aicart GTA motor Competición +1.0633. R. Risatti Racing Engineering +4.3704. F. Albuquerque Racing Engineering +8.0545. J. Villa Racing Engineering +11.9666. M. Martinez Ucha Racing Engineering +23.9237. A. Barba Campos Racing +29.4948. A. Llobel Campos Racing +32.2519. N. Monserrat. GTA Motor Competición +34.15310.J. Polar ECA Racing +37.358
2nd race:1. R. Risatti Racing Engineering 29:18:5502. A. Soucek R. Llusia Racing +3.1823. J. Perez Aicart GTA Motor Competición +4.2124. R. Rodriguez Campos Racing +9.5395. M. Barba Campos Racing +13.6876. C. Alvarez Elide Racing +17.9967. A. Llobel Campos Racing +19.7558. M. Martinez Ucha Racing Engineering +20.3639. F. Albuquerque Racing Engineering +20.77510.M. Cerqueda GTA Motor Competición +21.59615.J. Villa Racing Engineering +56.363
