Benjamin Berta takes the lead in the standings with first win of the season

Drexler Formula Cup - Imola (ITA)

For Benjamin Berta (Franz Wöss Racing) the journey to Imola was worthwhile. The Hungarian took his first win of the season in the first race on the 4.909 kilometre Imola Circuit. He was already in great form in qualifying and took pole position by 0.069 seconds ahead of Francesco Galli (G Motorsport). Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) made it onto the second row of the grid alongside Victor Smialek (Franz Wöss Racing), although the Swiss driver was beaten by 0.553 seconds.

At the start of the first race, Galli put all his eggs in one basket and it looked as if his aggressive pace would be successful. But on the 4th lap, Galli flattened his Dallara F320 in the Villeneuve chicane, producing the second zero result of the season. Bejamin Berta then capitalised on his chance to take his first win of the season. Sandro Zeller had to make up ground on every lap and finished 4.384 seconds behind Berta. Victor Smialek held on to third place until the end of the 15-lap race and was able to celebrate another podium finish. Riccardo Perego (Team Automobile Tricolore) finished in the points in fourth place. He finished just ahead of Andrea Benalli (Puresport). Denmark's Stig Larsen (Franz Wöss Racing) finished sixth, while Marcel Tobler won the Formula 3 Trophy classification in eighth place overall. Benjamin Berta's joy was written all over his face. ‘That was a perfect day today. I tried to conserve my tyres and had a good feeling right from the start,’ said Berta at the finish. Sandro Zeller returned the favour in the second race with a fantastic race for him. The seven-time Drexler Formula Cup champion took the lead from pole position and withstood the attacks from Berta and Galli. The two tried to embarrass Zeller several times, but the Swiss skilfully fended off the attacks. Even after a safety car phase, Zeller did not allow himself to be taken by surprise with his routine. As in the first half of the race, an exciting three-way battle developed between Zeller, Berta and Galli. Ricardo Perego stayed in the slipstream behind Galli for a long time and ended up off the track during an attack in the final minute of the race. The safety car initially came out again, but the race organisers consequently decided to red flag the race. ‘I was able to maintain the lead over my rivals. I'm not thinking about the championship, but anything can happen,’ said Sandro Zeller after his second win of the season. Francesco Galli could be satisfied with second place after the points-less first race. He thus keeps the championship open. In the Formula 3 Trophy classification, Francesco Solfaroli (Facondini Racing) turned the tables with his third win of the season. He won the 2nd race ahead of Marcel Tobler and his team-mate Urs Rüttimann. In the Formula Light category, Emir Tanju (Viola Formula Racing) and Karim Sartori (Speed Motor) shared the race wins.
RS.03.06.2024
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