Enjalbert on a winning streak

Eurocup Renault Mégane Trophy – Silverstone – Race 1

Dimitri Enjalbert (Boutsen Energy Racing) picked up where he left off in Budapest in Eurocup Mégane Trophy to claim his third win of the season, leading the first race at Silverstone from start to finish. The Frenchman finishes ahead of Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), who comes back to just one point of Jonathan Hirschi (TDS Racing) at the top of the overall standings.

Poleman, Dimitri Enjalbert got off to a perfect start, while Mike Verschuur had a tougher time reacting as the lights went out. Giorgio Pantano (Oregon Team) took advantage of the time lag and moved past into second place. At the end of lap 1, Dimitri Enjalbert was firmly in the driving seat, ahead of Giorgio Pantano, Mike Verschuur, Jonathan Hirschi and Fabrice Walfisch (Team Lompech Sport). After making a strong start, Jean-Philippe Madonia (TDS Racing) lost his bumper in the pack and had to pit.

Dimitri Enjalbert pulled away inexorably while Mike Verschuur set about Giorgio Pantano. The Dutchman moved through in a braking maneuver to grab second place. Jonathan Hirschi and Fabrice Walfisch tried to take advantage too, but the Italian held them off. Jonathan Hirschi knew he had to avoid letting his rivals for the title get away. The Swiss driver went all out to overtake Pantano in lap 4 and … succeeded. Now, Dimitri Enjalbert led from Mike Verschuur and Jonathan Hirschi. Meanwhile, Fabrice Walfisch and Nick Catsburg tried to take Giorgio Pantano. Catsburg, however, was forced to leave the group and go back into the pits, alarmed by plumes of smoke coming from his car. The Tech 1 Racing driver had to retire.

Up until his compulsory pitstop, Dimitri Enjalbert continued to increase his lead over Verschuur and Hirschi. Fabrice Walfisch was the first of the leaders to refuel, during lap 9. One lap later Dimitri Enjalbert and Jonathan Hirschi followed suit. Mike Verschuur and Giorgio Pantano opted for a different strategy, leaving the pitstop until later.

Dimitri Enjalbert held his position after the spate of refuellings, with a lead of over six seconds over Mike Verschuur. Fabrice Walfisch managed his stop to great effect and restarted third, ahead of Jonathan Hirschi, Giorgio Pantano and Pierre Thiriet (TDS Racing).

With the exception of Pierre Thiriet, who span out towards the end of the race, abandoning his 6th position to Matthieu Cheruy (Tech 1 Racing), the order stayed the same to the chequered flag. Dimitri Enjalbert drove to his third win in a row and caught up some more points on his rivals. By finishing second, Mike Verschuur ended the race just a point away from Jonathan Hirschi, fourth today behind Fabrice Walfisch, who gets his first podium finish of the season. In the Gentlemen Driver category, Bernard Delhez also enjoyed his first taste of success this season.

Quote, unquote:

Dimitri Enjalbert: “It’s a very good day for me. I bagged two pole positions and it’s my third victory since the beginning of the season. I got off to a good start and attacked all-out to open up a lead over Mike Verschuur. I won here in FIA GT3 and so I like this circuit a lot.”

Mike Verschuur: “This is the first time I’ve driven at Silverstone, so I’m very pleased. The team has done a good job. We’re back to within a point of Jonathan Hirschi in the championship and that's very good. I’m hoping to win back more points again tomorrow perhaps to leave Silverstone on top of the overall standings.”

Fabrice Walfisch: “First, I’d like to say that I’m very very happy to be back on the podium. “We have had a difficult start to the season with lots of mechanical problems. But we’re working hard and we’re back. I hope that we’ll be in a position to battle up front from now on.”

 

- Blanca de Foronda-