Néstor Girolami wins tyre issue-ridden first Vallelunga race
Néstor Girolami won the first FIA World Touring Car Cup race of the day at Vallelunga in his Münnich Motorsport Honda. The Argentinian came home ahead of Hyundai’s Mikel Azcona, while Gilles Magnus completed the podium in what felt like a surreal race due to multiple tyre issues leading to several pit stops.
Drama started on the formation lap as all five Lynk & Co Cyan Racing cars pulled into the pits, withdrawing from the race on safety grounds.
At the start Azcona challenged Girolami, but the Argentinian kept the lead ahead of both Hyundais, although Michelisz lost places to Audi’s Nathanaël Berthon and Magnus at the Semaforo-Tornantino complex.
The leading duo initially opened a gap, but Berthon pushed to keep in touch with them and was within sight of the leaders.
On lap eight, a tyre issue meant both Mehdi Bennani and Tiago Monteiro had to limp back to the pits, followed by Tassi one lap later.
On lap 12 Berthon also had what looked like a delaminated tyre, the Frenchman skillfully controlling the car at high speed at Curvone and managing to get back to the pits to change the tyre. On lap 16 Rob Huff also went for a tyre switch in his Cupra.
One lap later the safety car came out to clear debris on track, going back in just in time for a two-lap final shootout.
Girolami had a good restart, but Azcona quickly caught up with him, although he didn’t manage to overtake his rival.
Norbert Michelisz also pressured Gilles Magnus but the Belgian kept his podium spot. Esteban Guerrieri had a mechanical issue, looking like a turbo failure, on the final lap, but continued to the line to take seventh.
There was more drama on the final lap as the chequered flag was not waved, leading to more confusion and Azcona pulling into the pits while the rest of the field continued.
Girolami won the race ahead of Azcona, with Magnus completing the podium. Michelisz was fourth ahead of Tassi, despite him stopping in the pits earlier. Tom Coronel was sixth in his Audi, ahead of Guerrieri, Huff, Berthon and Bennani.
The second race of the weekend starts at 17:10 CEST.
