Picariello secures first reverse-grid win of 2013 at Slovakia Ring

Photo: ADAC Formel Masters

Having secured the ADAC Formel Masters title in race two of the round, the newly-crowned series champion Alessio Picariello the took his first reverse-grid victory of 2013 at Slovakia Ring.

The Belgian driver had a spectacular start from the race, making his way from seventh on the grid to second in just a couple of corners, as he slotted in behind reverse-grid polesitter Stephane Kox. Shortly after that, Picariello passed Kox into turn one and started establishing a gap over the rest of the field.

As Kox began to tumble down the order, Ralph Boschung and Beitske Visser stepped into the top three. However, as the duo set out to chase after Picariello, the race went into a safety car period, called in after Callan O’Keeffe stopped on-track. The Red Bull junior then limped out of the vehicle, seemingly in need of medical attention.

As O’Keeffe was receiving treatment off-track and his car was being towed away, the safety car stayed out for quite a while, returning to the pits with only five minutes to go. Picariello nailed the restart, getting away from the rest of the field, while Boschung came under pressure from Visser.

Eventually, the Swiss driver got some breathing room and cruised to second behind Picariello, as Visser herself was forced to defend from Jason Kremer and Marvin Dienst. The trio would spend the remaining few minutes fighting for the final podium position and, eventually, Dienst clinched the spot, with Visser and Kremer rounding out the top five.

Fabian Schiller secured sixth, ahead of Lotus man Indy Dontje and Maximilian Gunther, who made it to the points from 19th on the grid. Kox took ninth, with Stefan Riener rounding out the top ten.

Update: Picariello and Riener have received post-race penalties of 30s added time, meaning that Boschung will inherit his first race vicotry in ADAC Formel Masters.

Race results

Championship standings