Mikel Azcona and Giovanni Venturini claim Pool Fast semi finals victories
Hyundai Motorsport N driver Mikel Azcona and Romeo Ferraris’ Giovanni Venturini shared victories in the Pool Fast semi finals on Sunday morning at the Hungaroring.
Azcona, Cupra EKS driver Mattias Ekström and Romeo Ferraris’ Maxime Martin lined up for the first semi final.
Azcona headed into the lead at the start, with Ekström settling in second place ahead of Martin.
Ekström launched himself on the inside of Azcona at Turn 1 on the second lap, momentarily getting ahead of Azcona. But the Spaniard had a better run into Turn 2, maintaining the lead and with Martin also putting pressuring the Swede.
Martin didn’t give up and overtook Ekström for second place at the main straight on the final lap. The Belgian closed onto Azcona, but the Spaniard defended to win the first Pool Fast semi final.
“I’m happy for this victory in the semi final, it’s very good for the championship,” said Azcona after the race. “I felt very comfortable in the car, the team did a great job.”
There was a quick turnaround for the second Pool Fast semi final with Venturini, Hyundai’s Kevin Ceccon and Cupra EKS’ Jordi Gené in the repaired e-Racer.
Venturini claimed the lead at the start, with Ceccon taking to the inside and put pressure on the Giulia ETCR driver into Turn 2.
Gené attacked Ceccon on the main straight at the start of lap two, with the Italian successfully defending.
The Spaniard, still with six seconds left of power-up, took a last stab at Ceccon at the last corner and overtook for second place. Venturini won ahead of Gené, with Ceccon in third place.
“It was a good race and did everything at the start, so after that it was just a question of managing,” said Venturini after the race.
“We were planning the move, we had some power-up left,” explained Cupra EKS team principal Xavi Serra. “Jordi has had a difficult time, so I’m very happy he was able to get this result.”
Next for the FIA ETCR field is the Pool Furious semi finals, scheduled for 10:19 CEST.
