Pietro Fittipaldi (Lotus) wins and comes back to championship leader
Fourth win for Pietro Fittipaldi (Lotus) in the fifth round of 2017 season at Motorland Aragon. After his eighth pole of the year – an all time record for World Series Formula V8 3.5 that he shares with Daniel Ricciardo (2010) and Kevin Magnussen (2103) – the Brasilian driver was first under the chequered flag ahead of Alfonso Celis Jr (Fortec Motorsports) and Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF). Diego Menchaca (Fortec Motorsports), seventh, was the best rookie.
As the lights switch off Fittipaldi keeps the first position, while René Binder (Lotus) struggles and loses contact. Binder, who was the championship leader on the eve of the race, will then withdraw after a collision with Yu Kanamaru (RP Motorsport) at sector 1. Fittipaldi remains the undisputed leader until the very end. Konstantin Tereschenko (Teo Martin Motorsport) briefly takes P2 but then crashes in the barriers coming off the pit stop, leaving the second position to Sahara Force India Formula 1 third driver Alfonso Celis Jr. Third is Orudzhev, race 1 winner.
Thanks to this success Fittipaldi climbs the ranking and is now the Championship leader with 144 points, ahead of his team mate Binder, stuck at 130. The ranking is now shortened with Celis jr in third position (128), only two points ahead Nissany (126), who finished sixth in race 2, while Orudzhev is fifth with 125 and Matevos sixth with 120. Now all the top six drivers are within 24 points, less than a victory (25 points). A thrilling scenario for next round of the championship at Nurburgring, scheduled together with the World Endurance Championship (15-16 july). That will be the last European race before Mexico City, Austin and Bahrain.
Pietro Fittipaldi (Lotus)
“A great day! I’m really happy with the result. I did a good start and then I just had to control the gap. The team did a fantastic job with the pit-stop and that was enough to win”.
Alfonso Celis Jr (Fortec Motorsports)
“After yesterday the aim was to be on the podium, I left my heart and soul on the track. The car was really good as well the pit-stop, now I’m looking forward to the next races. I want more”.
Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF)
“The race was ok, but we were not able to fight with Pietro for the success as we did yesterday. At least I’ve been able to set the fastest lap using some DRS in the end”.
Diego Menchaca (Fortec Motorsports)
“I’m happy to be still the best rookie, unfortunately we had a problem in the pit-stop, otherwise also the overall position would have been better, since I was fighting with Isaakyan for 4th place”.
Source :http://www.worldseriesv8.com
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