International Formula Master concluded its first weekend with another action-packed race Sunday to the delight of motorsport fans attending the Spanish circuit at Valencia.

Today’s on-track highlights included a dramatic start with Alberto Costa and Juho Annala fighting for the lead and Chris van der Drift’s stunning performance that saw him make up 21 places over 19 laps after starting last.

Drama dominated the first lap of today’s race with Alberto Costa receiving a drive-through penalty after weaving to defend his pole position into the first corner. 

Alberto Costa, 20, Euronova Racing

“I didn’t have a very good start. I stalled the car just before the formation lap and so I had to go through the field back to the front position. During that I broke one of my end-plates on another car.

“For the start of the race, I started good but in the middle of the straight I went left twice and I got a penalty because of that. I turned left once and was protecting my place but Annala was just behind me so I moved left again which was the wrong thing to do.

“I had a lot of understeer with my car broken, especially in fast corners so I had to adapt and drive with a lower gear in the corners. With that, it was ok; I could keep racing but the drive-through penalty made me go back to 22nd place. I managed to move back two places but that was all.”

“I got a better start than Costa, so got into his slipstream and prepared to overtake him but he closed on me. I then moved to the wall side and he followed, after that I had to move towards the grass and he closed the road completely on me.

“I had all four wheels on the grass and I think Costa had two of his wheels on the white line so he really didn’t leave me a lot of space! I think it’s a real shame because both our races got ruined and it could have actually been quite dangerous. We were the first two guys, with another 20 or 30-odd going flat out behind us…there could have been a big crash!

“I was lucky to re-gain the race without too much trouble but I was caught in Llobel’s spin later so not that lucky after all… I guess my race was out of control from the moment the lights went out really!”

Chris van der Drift finished today’s race in tenth position after starting in last place, something to be proud of, especially when you consider the 21-year-old made up an astonishing 20 places on his first lap!

Chris van der Drift, 21, J.D. Motorsport

“Yesterday I was 23rd and got to 12th by the end of the first lap. Today’s race was the same and to be honest it’s quite easy passing from the back. I got a good start and managed to overtake four cars even before I passed the start line.

“I built up enough momentum and chose to go on the inside of the first corner, which got three more cars and then up the straight into Turn 2, I got two more. The rest of the lap, I passed Nicola Maulini and then two cars through Turns 7 and 8. By the end of the first lap, I think I was 11th!

“I was flat out on the first lap; it’s the only time you can pass because no-one had gotten into their rhythm yet. Everyone is busy protecting themselves but since I’m pushing from the back I can concentrate on looking forward and seeing all the gaps, all the opportunities.

“It’s also down to luck though, trying on moves like that can go wrong because you’re so on the limit. Saying that I really enjoyed it!

“The safety car period towards the end of the race was really good for me. I’d been pushing really hard and by then I needed to cool down the tyres, so those few laps really helped. I passed Gatto on the lap after the re-start and then I was behind Puglisi on the last lap. I knew he was eighth so I tried to get him, I wanted that point! He defended his line so I tried again but I pushed a bit too hard – Ragues was behind me and got a better run at Turn 6 which pushed me back down to 10th…and that’s where I finished!”Van der Drift on his way to a 10th place finish despite starting lastInternational Formula Master Standings

International Formula Master Drivers Classification

1. Kasper Andersen (DEN), J.D. Motorsport, 14 points

2. Oliver Campos Hull (ESP), Iris Project, 11 points

3. Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition, 11 points

4. Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Alan Racing, 10 points

5. Johnny Cecotto Jr (VEN) Ombra Racing, 10 points

6. Arturo Llobel (ESP), Cram Competition, 8 points

7. Maximilian Goetz (GER), ISR, 5 points

8. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing, 3 points

International Formula Master Teams Classification

1. Cram Competition, 19 points

2. J.D. Motorosport, 14 points

3. Alan Racing, 13 points

4. Iris Project, 11 points

5. Ombra Racing, 6 points

6. ISR, 5 points

7. Jenzer Motorsport, 2 points

8. Scuderia Fama, 2 points

9. Euronova Racing, 1 point

10. Promotorsport, 1 point