Picariello closes in on title with Slovakia Ring victory

Photo: ADAC Formel Masters

ADAC Formel Masters points leader Alessio Picariello has edged closer to securing the series title at Slovakia Ring by utterly dominating the first race of the round.

Having inherited pole due to Beer’s grid penalty, Picariello made a perfect getaway off the line and left the rest of the field behind. From that point on, the Belgian was completely untouchable, his lead further bolstered by the intense battles going on for the other podium spots.

Ralph Boschung, who started the race from front row alongside Picariello, didn’t have the best of starts and had defend from Mucke man Maximilian Gunther over the first lap. He managed to keep the German at bay, but had no such luck when pressured by Marvin Dienst, who has prior to that taken third from Gunther in a very clean multi-corner battle.

The trio finished in that order, Picariello crossing the line several seconds ahead of Dienst and Boschung. Jason Kremer took fourth, while Beitske Visser held on to fifth. The other three Lotus drivers finished behind sixth-placed Stefan Riener, with Red Bull junior Callan O’Keeffe leading Mikkel Jensen and Indy Dontje. Kim-Luis Schramm completed the top ten.

The race featured two high-profile retirements. Picariello’s main rival Gunther retired with a seeming mechanical issue on lap five, while Nicolas Beer beached his car in the gravel on the penultimate lap, after outbraking himself in an unsuccessful move on Visser.

With a resulting 97-point lead over Gunther, Picariello needs to keep the gap above 80 to be crowned champion after tomorrow’s race two.

Race results

Championship standings