Doggett victorious, Hzar, Curtis, and Baofluzek wreck early in exciting Istalian Grand Prix
Nine cars retire in maiden race
The Istalian Grand Prix saw sparks fly from beginning to end, with pole-sitter Lawrence Doggett of Vanuku's JJP Petrovan winning a race by attrition as nine cars were retired over the course of 53 laps in Romula. Doggett's fellow qualifying front runners struggled to keep pace, with Vahini Vati (Asadhautatya, started P2) finishing P9, Wang Hua (Xiandai, P3) finishing P11, and Istalian favorite Pagano (Piscatore, P4) finishing a dismal 12th out of the 19 cars to finish the Grand Prix.
Pagono told Istalian news outlet Forza that he was happy to finish at all after teammate Danilo Neri's retired with transmission issues after completing only two laps.
Team principles across the field saw disaster strike, as Neri's Piscatore was only the first of six cars to retire due to engine or transmission issues, three before lap seven.
The seventh lap saw particular drama when Elliott Curtis' #4 Klarz and the #25 TBTK car of Intrsmor Baofluzek forced Doggett's teammate Jusuv Hzar three wide at speed into the Variante Ascari. Hzar's right front tyre locked up, and the Wrnukek made contact with the Jelbek Baofluzek. Baofluzek's nose hit the rear of Curtis with force, leaving debris across the chicane. As the safety car was deployed, Hzar was forced to retire due to suspension issues caused by the crash. Baofluzek and Curtis attempted to continue, but were forced to retire due to damage on the 11th and 12th laps, respectively.
Perhaps most disappointingly, Mirza Hoshaba's car succumbed to engine troubles on the 47th lap. The Brmek had engine troubles in Q4 yesterday, and his race engineer was ominously overheard telling Hoshaba to stay off the curb early in the race. Hoshaba responded with copious adult language, and refused to meet with press in the post-race conference.
Ludek Fiser of PRIME benefited from the retirements of Hoshaba, Curtis, and the 37th lap exit of ERAK's Celeste Cecile, and finished his race 6th from a qualifying position of 14th, overtaking his own teammate Alan Palmer (qualified and finished P10) and others to bag 6 points. Thomas Forestier, who finished 7th behind Fiser, had held 6th for much of the race but an error in the pits cost the Kanjorien the position.
Asadhautatya and Vulpe Masina and PRIME largely escaped major incident and were the only teams to have two drivers score points.
Doggett attributed his win to the space he was able to create early between himself and the rest of the field. "After the safety, when Jusuv went out, there wasn't much distance between us, but I was able to break away. The car's very fast... Thanks to the boys in the factory back in Wiel, and to my crew in the pits."
With the conclusion of the race, the teams head overseas for next week's Cildanian Grand Prix.
Constructor standings
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