Cedric Sbirrazzuoli scooped a splendid win in the first of this weekend’s three in the 2012 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. The action is taking place at Portimao in the Portuguese Algarve region, a setting that saw the Monaco-based driver start from fourth on the grid. Sbirrazzuoli stated his intent from the off with a spectacular move that saw him take the lead at turn1.
With a free track ahead of him, Sbirrazzuoli was able to turn the screw. His lead over the pack grew and he eventually crossed the line 8.291 seconds ahead of a superb Riccardo Ragazzi. Ragazzi deserved his second spot after first overtaking the promising Lebanese driver, Joe Ghanem, early on and then comfortably maintaining a healthy gap. Ghanem finished 9.914 off top spot after slipping from pole.
Completing the top four was Fabio Venier; this quartet finished some way ahead of the pack.
The midfield battle was gripping with continual give and take. Belgian Renaud Kuppens shaded it to finish fifth, just up on Stefano Garelli and Edo Varini; Varini only made sure of seventh on the very last lap when he outdid Owen Mildenhall.
The new Maserati Trofeo MC World Series format will see another two races run tomorrow, Sunday 3 June. Race 2 is timed for 11.55-12.25 and Race 3 17.45-18.35. Radio Monte Carlo will report from the track at 14.45 to interview the drivers appearing in the Maserati Trofeo.
The qualifying sessions were held in the morning and defined the grid orders for the weekend’s action. Joe Ghanem, as mentioned, secured pole for Race 1 in 1:53.255. He bettered the times set by Riccardo Ragazzi (1:53.714) and Renaud Kuppens from team Konvex Racing (1:53.780). The second session saw Giorgio Sernagiotto put on the best show of 1:52.689. The Italian, who starred at Jarama, will start Race 2 on pole ahead of Alan Simoni (1:52.202) and Andrea Gardelli (1:53.502).
The grid for Race 3, a 50-minute event with a compulsory pit stop and driver change for crewed cars, was determined by calculating the times from the two previous sessions. This means that pole goes to Riccardo Ragazzi/Andrea Gardelli, in front of Joe Ghanem and Renaud Kuppens (Konvex Racing).
Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (AF Corse): “I started well. I managed to get through on the outside even though the pace was slow. I held my own and pushed on until the finish”.
Riccardo Ragazzi: “I couldn’t do any more because Cedric was much quicker. After Cedric overtook on turn 1, it took a few laps to move into second but, in the end, I managed it and held on. I am pleased because we start on pole tomorrow in Race 3”.
Joe Ghanem: “So far, so good. I am satisfied. I had to get to know the car and I think I did so pretty well. Cedric pulled off one of the most amazing overtaking moves I have ever seen and was then uncatchable. I am content at the result and hopeful going into tomorrow”.
Race 1
1. AF Corse – Cedric Sbirrazzuoli*
2. Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni + 8.291
3. Joe Ghanem + 9.914
* in the Team standings
Qualifying Race 1 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series
1 Joe Ghanem – 1:53.255
2 Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni – 1:53.714
3 Konvex Racing (Renaud Kuppens) – 1:53.780*
Qualifying Race 2 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series
1 Giorgio Sernagiotto/Giuseppe Fascicolo – 1:52.689
2 Alan Simoni/Riccardo Ragazzi – 1:53.202
3 Andrea Gardelli/Fabio Venier – 1:53.502
Qualifying Race 3 Maserati Trofeo MC World Series
1 Riccardo Ragazzi/Alan Simoni
2 Joe Ghanem
3 Konvex Racing (Renaud Kuppens)*
* in the Team standings