Cram Competition duo take it all

Today’s Formula Master (FM) race gave Cram Competition plenty to celebrate at Brands Hatch, UK, as Jérôme D’Ambrosio claimed the Series’ inaugural driver title whilst team-mate Arturo Llobell took his first win of the season.

Following yesterday’s win, D’Ambrosio only needed to score one point to clinch the title, something which was achievable by keeping his eighth place starting position. The Belgian approached his race as he would any other however, and fought his way up to a fifth place finish during this afternoon’s 28-lap race.

Team-mate Llobell boosted the celebrations with his first race win of the season. The Spaniard led the race from the start, having beaten pole-sitter Johnny Cecotto Jr off the line, and put in a faultless performance despite a close restart after the safety car was briefly deployed.

With J.D. Motorsport’s Chris van der Drift closing in on second-placed Cecotto Jr rapidly, the 18-year-old Ombra Racing driver fought hard to maintain position and crossed the finish line with his best finish to date.

Currently second in the driver classification Chris van der Drift had a tough race, simultaneously pressuring Cecotto Jr whilst defending his third place from Norbert Siedler, driving for ADM Motorsport. The Dutchman held position to take his sixth podium finish of the season.

Fellow J.D. Motorsport driver, Kasper Andersen salvaged his weekend with an eighth place finish after starting the race from 21st. The Dane finished behind Euronova Racing’s Sami Isohella and ADM Motorsport’s Frankie Provenzano who both enjoyed their best weekend to date.

"Although there was only one point needed to win the title this afternoon, I still pushed during the race. I felt safe with each overtaking move I made and kept going. From eighth to fifth is a very good result and it finishes a great weekend.

"The team prepared the car really well; I think the key to winning the title this year was to be constant. We’ve been working all season on improving the car even though we were winning.

"I’m really happy for Arturo too; he’s such a quick driver and deserved today’s win. It’s also great for the team as we are still fighting for that title. Monza is their home race so it would be a very special moment if we win it."

"I knew I had a good rhythm for the race and had to take the lead on the start as it’s very hard to overtake on this track. Thankfully I had a good start and then tried to build the gap. The safety car cancelled things out but I was able to build a margin back up as van der Drift and Cecotto Jr were fighting.

"This year has been tough for me but winning today is great, I hope to keep racing in this Series next year so a win will definitely help my chances!

"I’d like to congratulate Jérôme; he’s been a great team-mate all year and has proved to be the best driver along with Chris (van der Drift)."

"I had too much wheel spin at the start so I didn’t pull away as fast as I wanted. I knew I would be quick in the race though and although van der Drift was closing in on me I think I was faster out of corners, which helped.

"This is my best result; I’ve had two third places already this year so let’s see what we can do in Monza."

Chris van der Drift, J.D. Motorsport

"I knew the chances of D’Ambrosio not taking the title today were slim but I try my best every time and this is no different; you have to give what you can. I’m having a good season all round although I’ve had my share of bad luck too! But congratulations to Jérôme and I’ll be making sure I keep my second place once we get to Monza."

1. Arturo Llobell (ESP), Cram Competition (#24)
2. Johnny Cecotto Jr (VEN) Ombra Racing (#29)
3. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport (#7)
4. Norbert Siedler (AUT), ADM Motorsport (#41)
5. Jérôme D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition (#25)
6. Frankie Provenzano (ITA), ADM Motorsport (#21)
7. Sami Isohella, (FIN), Team Soderman (#23)
8. Kasper Andersen (DEN), J.D. Motorsport (#8)
9. Michele Caliendo (ITA), ADM Motorsport, (#22)
10. Nicolas Maulini, (SUI), Iris Project (#5)
11. Mattia Pavoni (ITA), Promotorsport (#10)
12. Claudio Cantelli Jr (BRA), J.D. Motorsport (#6)
13. Massimo Torre (ITA), Suderia Fama (#32)
14. Alberto Costa (ITA), Euronova Racing (#18)

Not classified:

Michael Meadows (GBR), Euronova Racing (#45)
Dominick Muermans (NED), Ombra Racing (#30)
Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Promotorsport (#15)
Marcello Puglisi (ITA), Promotorsport (#9)
Oliver Campos Hull (ESP), Iris Project (#4)
Luca Persiani (ITA), Scuderia Fama (#31)
Giuseppe Terranova (ITA), Alan Racing (#14)
Pierre Ragues (FRA), Euronova Racing (#19)
Juho Annala (FIN), Jenzer Motorosport (#3)
Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing (#12)
Rahel Frey (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport (#2)
Rodolfo Avila (MAC), Cram Competition (#26)
Nick De Bruijn (NED), ISR (#33)

Lap-by-lap analysis

Lap 1: Llobell passes Cecotto Jr for the lead on the outside of Paddock Hill Bend / Annala off-track & rejoins / van der Drift up to fourth place

Lap 2: Sanchez Lopez in the pits / van der Drift up to third place

Lap 3: De Bruijn off-track at turn six – retired / Frey and Avila come together at Clark Curve and end in the gravel – both retired

Lap 4: Annala in the pits / Cecotto Jr attempting to pass Llobell for the lead into Druids

Lap 5: Puglisi overtakes D’Ambrosio for seventh / close racing from Llobell, Cecotto Jr and van der Drift

Lap 6: Four car battle for the lead into Graham Hill Bend as Siedler arrives with the top three. D’Ambrosio back up into sixth taking advantage of Provenzano and Puglisi’s battle, the latter dropping back into eighth

Lap 7: Sanchez Lopez back into the pits

Lap 8: Siedler attempting to pass van der Drift for third place / D’Ambrosio fighting for fifth with Provenzano

Lap 9: Cecotto Jr tries to take the lead through Paddock Hill Bend, allowing the leading quartet to concertina up / Terranova off-track at Stirling’s Bend – retired / Ragues – retired / D’Ambrosio takes fifth from Provenzano

Lap 10: Andersen into 11th passing Cantelli Jr

Lap 11: Puglisi goes wide on the exit of the last corner & rejoins

Lap 12: D’Ambrosio puts in a personal best lap as he chases down the top four

Lap 14: van der Drift attempting to pass Cecotto Jr at Hawthorns / van der Drift having to attack and defend from Siedler at the same time / D’Ambrosio setting quicker and quicker times

Lap 15: Persiani into the pits - retired

Lap 16: Campos Hull off-track from 10th at Hawthorns – retired / safety car on standby

Lap 18: Safety car deployed

Lap 22: Re-start / van der Drift and Cecotto Jr side-by-side at Paddock Hill Bend through to Druids but van der Drift could not make it stick / Puglisi into the pits - retired

Lap 23: Cecotto Jr closing in on leader Llobell / Muermans in the pits

Lap 24: van der Drift closing in on Cecotto Jr, setting a new personal best with five laps to go

Lap 25: Meadows goes off at Druids –retired / Andersen passes Isohella for seventh after starting 21st on the grid

Lap 27: van der Drift challenging Cecotto Jr at every opportunity / Siedler catches the top three

Lap 28: D’Ambrosio attempts to pass Siedler in the inside on Paddock Hill Bend / D’Ambrosio tries again going into Surtees but Siedler closes the door allowing van der Drift to get away / Llobell takes the win

Chequered flag at 14:49

Formula Master’s round 15 and 16 will take place on 6/7 October in Monza, Italy.

For more information please visit www.formulamaster.net  

- RSM, also photos -