Benjamin Berta wins second title in a row

Drexler Automotive Formula Cup - Monza (ITA)

Benjamin Berta (Franz Wöss Racing) is the old and new champion in the Drexler Formula Cup. The Hungarian clinched his seventh win of the season on Saturday on the Formula 1 track in Monza and secured the title early. The day before, Berta had taken pole position on the ultra-fast circuit in Monza with a 1:45.145 minutes, beating Francesco Galli (G Motorsport) by 1.394 seconds. While Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) had to make do with fifth place on the grid, Cian Carey and Victor Smialek (both Franz Wöss Racing) shared the second row of the grid. Race 1 got off to a completely unusual start on Saturday lunchtime. The actual start was delayed due to the cancellation of a track post. After the formation lap, the field was first led into the pits and then onto the track behind the safety car.

The neutralisation of the race lasted a good 13 minutes before Benjamin Berta, as pole setter, completed the re-start and was able to gain a lead. The first battles for position ensued behind the Hungarian, with Stig Larsen (Franz Wöss Racing) touching Andrea Benalli two laps later. Both went off into the gravel. This was followed by a second safety car phase that ended after a good five minutes. Benjamin Berta again produced a brilliant restart and led the field to the chicane after the start straight. Cian Carey missed the braking point and spun round Francesco Galli. Both drivers were able to continue the race. While Benjamin Berta managed his lead in the remaining time, Victor Smialek set about manoeuvring against Sandro Zeller. Smialek passed the Swiss rider, who tried to counterattack with no apparent success. Despite a contact, both continued and finished second and third behind the winner Benjamin Berta. Francesco Galli took fourth place ahead of the two Italians Franco Cimarelli and Dino Rasero after a strong chase to catch up. Urs Rüttimann (Jo Zeller Racing) finished in a respectable seventh place. ‘We were surprised by the start behind the safety car. Both times I was able to pull out a lead at the re-start,’ said Benjamin Berta. Sandro Zeller was not quite as happy at the finish.’ We only had a few race laps to complete. The red flag at the start was a real waste of time.

For the second race, the front row of the grid was in the hands of the Franz Wöss Racing Team. Victor Smialek got off to the best start, but was attacked by Fancesco Galli and Benjamin Berta a few metres later. Enzo Stendella and Riccardo Perego got in each other's way on the approach to the chicane. The first safety car phase was now due. Victor Smialek did not complete the subsequent re-start well enough to stay in front. Galli, Berta and Zeller all passed the Canadian. As Benjamin Berta closed in on Franceso Galli, Urs Rüttimann shot across the track in midfield and hit the crash barriers. The subsequent safety car phase pushed the field of formula cars closer together again. After the restart, the last six minutes of the race were turbulent. Francesco Galli had managed to gain a slight lead and was no longer able to be displaced from the lead. First, Berta overtook Zeller and Smialek took a lot of risks to move into second place. Smialek then lost his rhythm and lost his position to Zeller and Berta. Berta now put all his eggs in one basket and overtook Sandro Zeller, who had to deal with Smialek again. Francesco Galli defended his lead right to the finish, although Benjamin Berta was able to close the gap to 0.444 seconds. Sandro Zeller finished third ahead of Victor Smialek and the charging Cian Carey.

RS.06.10.2024

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