Motorsport fans enjoyed a superb first race in Pau today for round three of International Formula Master.
The Series’ young drivers proved they could handle a difficult start on the tough streets of the Pyrenees town and completed their first lap without a hitch. Scuderia Fama’s Luca Persiani got the better start, overtaking Maximilian Goetz (ISR) into the first corner for the lead.
The 35-minute race was full action with the IFM drivers taking every opportunity to overtake. Persiani led for the first part of the race resisting immense pressure from the chasing pack, led by Goetz and J.D. Motorsport’s van der Drift.
The Italian lost the battle eventually however, after an audacious move to defend his lead from Goetz put him in the barriers. Netherland’s van der Drift went on to take the chequered flag first closely followed by Goetz and Cram Competition’s Jerome D’Ambrosio.
Race two will take place tomorrow with today’s eighth place finisher Pablo Sanchez Lopez in pole position alongside IFM’s only woman racer Rahel Frey thanks to the reversed grid regulations.
Chris van der Drift, J.D.Motorsport – Car number 7
"I knew it would be hard to overtake but I got a good start and a good first corner which was really important. After that I worked my way up one car after the other. I out-braked myself when trying to overtake Persiani for the lead half-way through the race – I was really surprised by how good the slipstream was, you can really drive close to other cars!"
Maximilian Goetz, ISR – Car Number 16
"I had a bad start which was entirely my fault, I got to much wheel spin and that slowed me down. With Persiani, I had no chance to avoid him really. I was much faster than him so I don’t know why he didn’t just let me through! I was lucky to escape with not too much damage but I still had to push hard to keep second place and couldn’t catch van der Drift for the lead."
Jerome D’Ambrosio, Cram Competition – Car number 25
"I had a good start but found it really hard to get into the rhythm for some reason. I’m happy about the result though, I want as many points as possible and that’s the aim for race two as well."
International Formula Master Pau race one Provisional results
1. Chris van der Drift (NED), J.D. Motorsport
2. Maximilian Goetz (GER), ISR
3. Jerome D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition
4. Juho Annala (FIN), Jenzer Motorosport
5. Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Alan Racing
6. Nick De Bruijn (NED), ADM Motorsport
7. Rahel Frey (SUI), Jenzer Motorsport
8. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing
Live coverage of IFM’s second race weekend will continue with Sunday’s coverage starting from 14.00 (local time) on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport World.
Live streaming will also be available for both races on www.eurosport.com and www.formulamaster.net
As an exciting new single-seater series, IFM offers young, aspiring drivers the chance to prove themselves on an international stage (as it is part of the FIA World Touring Car Championship race weekend package), training and preparing them for the highest echelons of single-seater racing in front of a global TV audience provided by Eurosport.
Featuring N.Technology’s Formula S2000 race car with a chassis by Tatuus and a 2.0litre, 250hp engine tuned by Heini Mader Racing Components, the car weighs just 550kg including the driver and runs on control tyres by Yokohama. It has already secured 2008 FIA homologation approval – a world first – and has generated excitement from all sectors thanks to its dynamic styling and powerful engine.
- RSM · also photo
