21/07/14
RED BULL RING AUTOGP: ANOTHER WIN FOR SATO AND THE FIRST FOR RODA
Race 1: Kimiya Sato (Euronova) fights his way to victory.
Kimiya Sato continued to rule the field in Race 1 for the Austrian round of the 2014 Auto GP. Euronova Racing's Japanese racer, who cruised to pole yesterday, continued on the same path today by winning the first heat and also scoring the fastest lap of the day so far. It hasn't been easy for him though, as he had to deal with the hard-charging Tamas Pal Kiss (Virtuosi UK) and only got the nod on the Hungarian rival on lap 14.The third step of the podium went to Andrea Roda, his fourth podium finish this season for Virtuosi UK. The Italian went for a late pit-stop and gained one position on Kevin Giovesi (FMS).
Markus Pommer, driving for Super Nova, delivered a spectacular comeback in 5th and recovered some valuable points for the championship. Due to Giovesi's fourth place though, Pommer is now in a solitary third place in standings.
Shinya Michimi took sixth place in Race 1 for Euronova. At his second Auto GP outing he battled with Zele Racing's Christof von Grunigen.
The points zone was completed by three Italians, Michele La Rosa (MLR71 by Euronova), Giuseppe Cipriani (Ibiza Racing) and Salvatore De Plano.
Race 2: Andrea Roda (Virtuosi UK) scores maiden Auto GP win.
Andrea Roda (Virtuosi UK) scored his maiden Auto GP win today at Zeltweg. The Como-based man, who started from the third row on the grid, quickly recovered ground at the start before moving into the lead during the pit-stops. Thanks to the 35 points scored throughout the weekend, the Italian was also awarded 20.000€ in prize money and is now third in standings behind team-mate Tamas Pal Kiss.With two second places, the Hungarian Virtuosi UK man made it to the runner-up spot in standings passing Keivn Giovesi (FMS) and Markus Pommer (Super Nova). Japanese Kimiya Sato (Euronova) is still in the overall lead although he was forced to retire in Race 2 by a suspension failure. The same luck also hit Giovesi right after the pit-stop.
The podium was rounded out by Michela Cerruti. The Italian female racer, representing Super Nova, completed a spectacular comeback after starting last due to a first-lap contact with Giuseppe Cipriani (Ibiza Racing Team) in Race 1. The Venetian had to retire early in Race 2 too after a contact with the wall.
Fourth place went to Shinya Michimi (Euronova) who stalled his car on the starting grid as well as Salvatore De Plano. The FMS racer then crossed the line in sixth behind Michele La Rosa (MLR71 by Euronova) grabbing points again in his second series start.