López wins season opener at Punta del Este

José María López has won the first race of the season from Matías Rossi & Mariano Werner, as Ortelli crashes out at the start.

López started from pole in his Honda Civic alongside the Chevrolet Vectra of Guillermo Ortelli, but drove away to take a dominating victory.

Ortelli got caught up in a battle trying to repass Equipe Petrobras’ Nestor Girolami, and crashed whilst trying to pass. This left Ledesma as the only Chevrolet driver left in the race, who worked his way up to sixth on the street circuit event, where passing was extremely difficult.

Marino Werner worked his way up to third, and was the top Toyota Corolla, finishing just ahead of team mate (and highest qualifying Toyota) Facundo Ardusso. Werner harried Renault’s Matías Rossi for the final few laps but was unable to pass.

After a poor qualifying, former Toyota driver, now with Ford YPF, Norberto Fontana, struggled and came home as the last driver on the lead lap.

The next race is in three weeks at San Martín.