RENÉ BINDER (LOTUS) MAKES IT DOUBLE AT MONZA AND TAKES WORLD SERIES LEAD
René Binder (Lotus) cruised to his second straight World Series Formula V8 3.5 win at Monza by using clever strategy today at the Italian venue. The Austrian, nephew of the former F1 driver, Hans Binder, also became the new Series leader with 98 points. Italian squad RP Motorsport celebrated a double podium finish in second and third place with Roy Nissany and Yu Kanamaru respectively. Nelson Mason (Teo Martin Motorsport) repeated his race 1 antics by bringing home another rookie win.
The race was off to a tough start as Diego Menchaca (Fortec Motorsports) had an mechanical issue during the formation lap, after an extra formation lap was needed due to both the SMP Racing by AVF cars getting stuck at the start. Pietro Fittipaldi (Lotus) struggled to get away from the pole and Nissany cruised to the front at the first corner. The Brazilian was also passed by team-mate Binder. At Roggia, Tereschenko (Teo Martin Motorsport) also got by Fittipaldi to take third place.
The latter reclaimed a virtual podium position on lap 3, but the race at that point was marred by a contact between Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF) and Damiano Fioravanti (RPM Motorsport). The Roman went off and crashed at the exit of Lesmo 2 while the Russian broke his front wing and later retired. Right before the ensuing safety-car, Lotus had called Binder to the pits putting him in a perfect position later when all the other contenders went for their mandatory stops.
At the re-start, Nissany tried to build a gap on the cars he had behind but and was followed closely by Fittipaldi. The pair made it back to the pits on lap 8, while Alfonso Celis Jr (Fortec Motorsport), who entered the race as the points leader, spun out of the Ascari and retired.
When Kanamaru made his way back to the pits on lap 12, Binder cruised to a solitary lead. The Japanese returned to the track amid Nissany, who claimed P2, and Fittipaldi, fending the attacks of the latter. The Brazilian ended up fourth, while after finishing fifth, Tereschenko was penalized five seconds for taking an advantage by going off the track (Art. 24.3). He was thus forced to surrender the position – and the rookie win – to his team-mate Mason.
With his third straight podium finish, Binder also sailed to the 2017 Series lead with 98 points, while Nissany improved his position with 81 points. On the other hand, Kanamaru grabbed his maiden podium finish.
René Binder (Lotus)
“It wasn’t easy at the beginning as I had used tyres. Then there was the call by the team when they saw the incident, and I re-joined the race with the safety-car and a comfortable gap”.
Roy Nissany (RP Motorsport)
“It’s a kind of deja-vu being again here. It is a great result for all the team, double podium at their home race, let’s stay focused on the next step”.
Yu Kanamaru (RP Motorsport)
“The start was bad and the anti-stall came in. Strategy was good as after the pit-stop we were third and I managed to keep the position until the end”.
Nelson Mason (Teo Martin Motorsport)
“I had a massive brake issue during the whole race so being the best rookie, also because of Konstantin’s penalty, is a good result after all”.
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