Swiss Team took the spoils at round one in the Maserati Trofeo World Series. Spa, Belgium, was where the action took place with 22 drivers competing. The weekend’s winners were Gabriele Gardel and Mauro Calamia, both from Switzerland and both representing Swiss Team.
Unfortunately for the local fans, Renaud Kuppens, who took the title in 2012 and 2013, ended the weekend with a solitary point thanks to his pole position for Race 2. The Belgian ended up against the tyre wall following a Race 1 clash with Andrea Cecchellero. His car was too badly damaged and there was not enough time to repair it before the second event. Kuppens had to sit this one out.
In the end, Race 1 went to Gabriele Gardel with Alan Simoni and Andrea Cecchellero up next in what was an eventful race. Calamia played a major role: he started from pole but found himself back in fourteenth after being nudged early on. The Swiss driver kept his cool to cross the line in fourth, ahead of Alberto Cola, another driver caught up in the lap 1 storm.
Calamia’s luck turned in Race 2, one he dominated from start to finish. The Swiss Team driver lined up in second and made the most of Kuppens’ absence (who should have started on pole) to build a healthy lead. He stayed out in front for the entire 50 minutes, leaving the others to fight it out for the other podium slots; following him across the finish line were Alberto Cola and Gabriel Gardel who, thanks to this result, takes an early championship lead. Fourth was taken by Alan Simoni, who tried for third right until the very end. Simone Di Luca, a newcomer, claimed fifth and could have aimed for the podium if he had not been hit with a drive through.
Round 2 in the del Maserati Trofeo World Series will be held at Budapest, Hungary, on the weekend of 1 June.
Mauro Calamia: “The day didn’t start off too well following a clash in Race 1. I lost ground but then came back to fourth. Looking back, I can count myself lucky to have finished in the points. Things went better in Race 2 and I would like to thank my team for helping me to this win. I want more of the same in Hungary”.
Gabriele Gardel: “This certainly is unexpected. It was my debut at Spa in a new car and I have come away with a win, a third spot and the lead overall. I couldn’t ask for anymore. I would like to thank Maserati for allowing me the chance to compete in a fun and competitive series. I have to say that the GranTurismo MC Trofeo, which I drove in 2011, has really improved”.
Race 1 1 Gabriele Gardel (Swiss Team) – 51:04.493 2 Alan Simoni (Konvex Motorsport) – 51:04.789 3 Andrea Cecchellero/Mathijs Bakker – 51:17.309
Race 2 1 Mauro Calamia (Swiss Team) – 50:49.125 2 Alberto Cola – 51:00.439 3 Gabriele Gardel (Swiss Team) – 51:04.775
