Mattias Ekström and Maxime Martin win Pool Fast quarter finals

Cupra EKS driver Mattias Ekström and Maxime Martin of Romeo Ferraris claimed the victories in Saturday’s FIA ETCR Pool Fast quarter finals at the Hungaroring.

Ekström got ahead at the start of the first quarter final but focussed on defending from Hyundai’s Kevin Ceccon, with his team-mate Mikel Azcona overtaking on the outside of Turn 1 to take the lead, using ten seconds of power-up.

The positions remained stable, with Ekström locking up at Turn 2 on the second lap as the Swede was trying to close the gap to the Spaniard.

Azcona locked up in the final part of the second lap, with Ekström closing up to the Veloster N ETCR driver, but the Spaniard managed to use the power-up on the main straight to avoid the Cupra driver getting a tow.

Ekström mounted the pressure, looking for a gap to and taking the inside and made contact with the Spaniard at the penultimate corner on the last lap, winning the first quarter final ahead of Azcona and Ceccon.

“The race wasn’t so bad, we were leading until the end and I’m a bit disappointed,” said Azcona after the race. “I took the outside line and he came on the inside, but it was a great race and I’m happy for the team.”

Romeo Ferraris driers Maxime Martin and Giovanni Venturini and Cupra driver Jordi Gené lined up for the second quarter final, with Venturini getting ahead at the start.

Gené tried to overtake on the outside of Turn 1, with both losing to Martin who claimed the lead.

Gené recovered and went for Venturini’s inside on lap two, with both staying side-by-side and the Swiss managing to retain second place.

Martin stayed comfortably ahead, with Venturini locking up into Turn 2 on the final lap, allowing Gené to come right under his rear bumper.

At the chequered flag Martin took the second quarter final victory, with Venturini keeping Gené at bay to finish in second place.

“It would have been ideal for the race to be more relaxing,” joked Romeo Ferraris team principal Michela Cerrutti after the race. “Jordi gave Giovanni a bit of work but it was good racing and it’s a good result for us.”

The ETCR returns to the track for the Pool Furious quarter finals on Saturday at 17:45 CEST.