Pantano-Suzuki take overall win ahead of Razia-Van der Drift and become new GTS points leadersGTS cars sweep the podium, with Skryabin-PierGuidi (Esta Ferrari) in 3rdOverall title battle unchanged: Montermini increases gap by only 2 points over Ramos-Pastorelli’s Corvette

It was a glory day for the Bhai Tech MLarens today in Monza, as the MP4 12C of the Italiansquad took an historic first scratch today in Race 1 at Monza. A double win, as GiorgioPantano-Rafael Suzuki preceded team mates Luis Razia and Chris van der Drift. It was also agreat day for the GTS cars, as they took the first four positions overall, with the Esta Ferrariof Alessandro Pier Guidi-Aleksandr Skryabin in the third step of the podium. For Pantano-Suzuki, new leaders in the GTS standings, it is the third class success of the year.

Andrea Montermini and Davide Rigon brought the top SuperGT car to fifth overall, while theV8 Corvette of Pastorelli-Ramos taking a third in the class. The result leaves basicallyunchanged the title battle, with Montermini adding 2 little points to its capital.

At the start, Pantano pips both poleman Pier Guidi and Montermini, but he has to concede thelead to Montermini at the first variante in lap 2. Pier Guidi also passes the McLaren at theParabolica. Follow Camathias, excellent 4th, Sijthoff, Costantini, Bontempelli, Van der drift,Ramos and Cioci.

While Sijhoff takes fourth, Costantini also passes Camathias, with the two Ombras keeping atbay the rest of the group. On lap 6, Vieira on the Drivex Porsche doesn’t brake at the firstvariante and hits the AF Ferrari of Lyons, with both cars out of the race. Later, Maleev loses apiece of the underbody at high speed but he is quite good at avoiding trouble at theParabolica, while at the beginning of lap 10 Montermini goes straight at the first chicane. Herejoins still first ahead of Pier Guidi, Pantano, Costantini, bontempelli, Camathias, Ciovi, vande Drift, César Ramos, and Castellacci. Sijthoof is out of the race with mechanical problems,while Miguel Ramos is in 11th, which virtually gives the title at that moment to Montermini.

After the driver change, the two BhaiTech McLarens are in the lead, with Suzuki precedingRazia by 13”, then Skryabin at 15”, Gattuso, Mavlanov , Cordoni, Laursen, Mehta,Salaquarda, Flohr, Talkanitsa and Griffin. Rigon is 13th and Pastorelli 16th. There are sanctionsfor Gattuso (2 laps) and Griffin (drive-through) for handicap infringements.

The final laps do not see major changes, with the Bhai Tech McLarens securing the doublewin, and Skryabin taking third ahead of Mavlanov, Rigon who charges back to fifth, Talkanitsaand Laursen (both taking the respective Gentlemen’s Trophy), Cordoni, Frezza (who hadtrouble to restart after the pit stop) and Pastorelli.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS AFTER RACE 14 OF 16

Overall: 1. Montermini, 219; 2. Filippi, 168; 3. Pastorelli-Ramos, 163; 4. Cameron-Griffin, 125; 5. Talkanitsa sr & jr,101; 6. Sijthoff, 97; etc.Drivers SuperGT: 1. Montermini, 104; 2. Pastorelli-Ramos,80; 3. Filippi, 78; 4. Cameron-Griffin, 66; 5.Talkanitsa sr& jr, 60; etcGTS: 1. Pantano-Toril, 48; 2. Bontempelli, 42; 3. Toril, 39; 3. Suzuki-Pantano, 38; 4. Lyons-Beretta, 37; 5. Ide-Soulet, 34; etcTeams SuperGT: 1. V8 Racing, 148; 2. Villorba Corse, 104; 3. AT Racing, 60; 4. AF Corse, 57; 5. Drivex, 19; etcTeams GTS: 1. Bhaitech Racing, 81; 2. Kessel Racing, 68; 3. Autorlando Sport, 48; 4. Seyffarth Motorsport, 39; 5.AF Corse, 37; etcConstructors Super GT: 1. Ferrari, 203; 2. Chevrolet, 136; 3. Porsche, 19Constructors GTS: 1. Ferrari, 148; 2. McLaren, 81; 3. Porsche, 48; 4. Mercedes, 39; 5. Aston Martin, 34, etcGentlemen’s Trophy: 1. Talkanitsa Sr, 104; 2. Laursen, 71; 3. Maleev, 56; 4. Earle-Kermer, 37; 5. Cordoni, 30; etc