EUROCUP MÉGANE TROPHY
FIFTH WIN OF THE SEASON FOR MIRKO BORTOLOTTI-
Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) recorded his fifth win of the season after a brilliant duel with Steven Palette (Team Lompech Sport). The Italian completed his first clean sweep of the year, taking pole position, victory and the fastest lap of the race. Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) finished third to complete the podium.
This morning, Mirko Bortolotti claimed his sixth pole position of the season. With a lap of 1:34.119, the Italian qualified ahead of Steven Palette, Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team), Mike Verschuur and Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur).
Bortolotti started well from pole and held his advantage over Steven Palette and Mike Verschuur. Enrico Bettera (Oregon Team) and Oliver Freymuth (AKF Motorsport) collided at the end of lap two. And after missing qualifying this morning, Kelvin Snoeks (Oregon Team) mounted a charge from the back of the grid, but had to retire on lap nine after contact with Max Braams.
Mirko Bortolotti and Steven Palette then pulled away at the front and exchanged fastest times. The pair stopped to refuel at the end of lap 17, but the race order remained unchanged.
It was Bortolotti who eventually took the chequered flag for his fifth victory of the year. The Oregon Team driver finished ahead of Steven Palette, who secured his first podium of the season, and Mike Verschuur. Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team) came fourth, followed by Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz), Vladimir Lunkin (Oregon Team) and Toni Forné (Gravity Charouz), the best-placed gentleman driver. Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), Marguerite Laffite (Oregon Team) and Enrico Bettera also finished in the points.
What they said
Mirko Bortolotti: “I’m really pleased with this result. We’ve worked very hard to get to this level at the Red Bull Ring. It’s never easy. Steven [Palette] was very quick, and he pushed me to the limit throughout the race. Congratulations to him.”
Steven Palette: “I’m delighted with this first podium finish. I made a bad start, but I put a good string of laps together to close the gap on Mirko [Bortolotti]. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to attempt a pass. I’m hoping for another podium finish or a victory tomorrow.”
Mike Verschuur: “We had a few problems this morning finding the right set-up. We had oversteer at the start, and understeer after that. It’s a difficult track. It’s my first time at the Red Bull Ring, and we’ve still got work to do. Let’s hope tomorrow will be better.”
Eurocup Megane Trophy – provisional championship standings: 1. M. Bortolotti 155; 2. M. Verschuur 99; 3. K. Snoeks 71; 4. E. Janis 70; 5. K. Gilardoni 66 […]
*Results to be confirmed, pending post-race technical inspections