Paolo Brajnik celebrates double victory

Drexler Formula Cup - Monza (ITA)

The second round of the Drexler Formula Cup in Monza was contested by a record field of 40 Formula cars. The clash with the TopJet F2000 Formula Trrophy kept the predicted elements of tension at a very good level. One of the top favourites, Serbian Paolo Brajnik (NV Racing), was already in top form in qualifying with his Dallara F320, setting the fastest time of 1:46.384 minutes. After the eleven-lap chase on the 5.793-kilometre Grand Prix circuit was released on Saturday afternoon, Brajnik took the lead. Behind him was Cian Carey in his first Formula 3 outing for the Franz Wöss Racing team. After Bernardo Pellegrini (HAT Powerteam) could not hold on to his third position and dropped back a bit, Renato Papaleo (One Management) and Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) set the tone behind the leading duo. Almost over the entire race distance, the positions remained occupied. When the safety car had to take to the track three minutes before the end of the race, things got exciting again. After the restart, Carey put all his eggs in one basket and passed Brajnik. But Brajnik counter-attacked in the last lap before the chicane and kept the upper hand until the finish with a lead of 0.855 seconds.

Third place went to Renato Papaleo ahead of Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing), who was only beaten by 1.621 seconds behind Papaleo. Hungaroring winner Benjamin Berta (Team Hoffmann Racing) remained within striking distance of the podium for a long time and was ultimately recorded in 7th place overall. Hardly anyone had expected this very close finish. In the past, the more powerful Formula 3 Open cars have always had an advantage on the long straights in Monza. The finish of the first race was to determine the second race on Sunday. Paolo Brajnik did not allow himself to be surprised by the competition during the 13-lap chase from pole position. Although Cian Carey was constantly in Brajnik's slipstream, the Serb managed to fend off the attacks of the Irishman. So, despite another safety car phase, Brajnik kept a minimal lead of 1.339 seconds until the finish, celebrating his first double victory this season. Behind Cian Carey, Renato Papaleo took third place ahead of Bernardo Pellegrini, who in turn was able to relegate Sandro Zeller to fifth by 0.409 seconds. Benjamin Berta was sixth overall, just behind Zeller. After Juju Noda (Vadum Racing) fell short of her expectations in the first race with 25th place, the Japanese rider improved enormously in the second race. In the Formula Renault Dr. Norbert Groer (Team Hoffmann Racing) could convince in both races ahead of Robert Siska (Franz Wöss Racing) and extended his lead in the standings.

RS.25.04.2022
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