2012 Formula Panam GP champion Sebastian Merchan got his 2013 campaign to a perfect start, winning both races of round one of the Panam GP Winter Series at Homestead-Miami in Florida.
Facing opposition from series regulars as well as overseas guests, Merchan didn’t falter and took pole for race one, which he converted into a dominant victory. Another series regular, Mexican Rodolfo Camarillo finished second with Alfonso Celis, Jr. (who will be making his FR2.0 NEC debut in 2013 with Fortec) rounded out the podium. Ex-Auto GP racer Antonio Spavone finished fourth, while Ferrari Driver Academy member Antonio Fuoco was seventh after going off-track early in the race.
With the second race having the top eight from the first one reversed, Picho Toledano started from pole alongside Fuoco. However, it was Merchan who took the spoils at the end, fighting his way up from eighth to winning race two. Toledano managed to finish second ahead of series regular Giancarlo Vecchi. Camarillo, Fuoco and Celis rounded out the top six, with Spavone finishing all the way down in 13th place.
The second and final round of the Winter Series will take place at Palm Beach (which is also located in Florida) next weekend.