Sandro Zeller takes the lead of the standings despite a penalty

Drexler-Automotive Formula Cup - Mugello (ITA)

For Benjamin Berta (Franz Wöss Racing) things seem to be going perfectly this season. This is especially true for the first race in Mugello. The defending champion from Hungary set another exclamation mark at the 2nd round of the Drexler Cup in Mugello and set the fastest time in qualifying on Saturday morning with a 1:39.562 minutes. Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) was 1.338 seconds off the pace.  Andrea Benalli took third place ahead of Dino Rasero (both PURESPORT). When the lights turned green for Race 1, Andre Petropoulos (Team Hoffmann Racing) took the lead, as the first eight grid positions for Race 1 started the 20-minute sprint in reverse order. Sandro Zeller got off to a great start and moved into second place before the first corner. However, it didn't take long for Benjamin Berta to take the lead. After the end of the first lap, the Hungarian returned to the start straight in the lead.

Stig Larsen (Franz Wöss Racing) was able to capitalise on the change in the starting order. The Dane had to let Berta and Zeller go, but third place was ultimately his for the taking. Andrea Benalli made a mistake at the start of the race and only got stronger towards the end. He then kept Enzo Stendella (One Competition) at bay and finished fourth, while Dino Rasero had to be satisfied with sixth place. Benjamin Berta maintained his lead over Sandro Zeller right to the finish, which was a clear 14 seconds. ‘I moved to the outside at the start, where there was a lot of grip, and was able to make up a lot of positions. The race pace was excellent,’ said Berta. Sando Zeller was not dissatisfied with second place. ‘I had a good start, but couldn't keep Benjamin behind me,’ said the Swiss rider. The start turned out to be the key scene in the second race. Berta took the lead and Zeller changed lanes. In doing so, the Swiss hit the rear of Berta, who lost his rear wing. While the Hungarian retired, Zeller took the lead of the race ahead of Andrea Benalli and Andre Petropoulos, who were able to make up a few places.

Petropoulos, like Davide Pedetti and Stig Larsen, benefited from two safety car phases. Firstly, Dino Rasero had to retire after a crash with Enzo Stendella on lap 6. A good eight minutes before the end of the race, Lee Cunningham (Jo Zeller Racing) and Sebastian Banchereau (Neri Autosport) crashed into each other. A lengthy safety car phase was now necessary. The race was reopened for the final three minutes, with Sandro Zeller completing the restart flawlessly. Shortly before the end, Domenico Siciliano (Team Perodi) put his Formula Renault into the gravel trap. The race organisers then decided to stop the race early. A message from race control was waiting for Sandro Zeller at the finish line. Due to the starting manoeuvre against Berta, the Swiss driver was given a time penalty of 20 seconds. Andrea Benalli therefore inherited the victory ahead of Davide Pedetti and Andre Petropoulos. Zeller was classified in 13th place. As in the season opener in Monza, Jeremy Clavaud (STAC) won both races in the Formula Regional category. Luis Aguiar (Viola Formula Racing) recorded a double victory in the Formula Light category, narrowly beating Karim Sartori (Speed Motor) twice. 

RS.12.05.2025

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