Swedish racer Felix Rosenqvist took his first victory from pole in race one of FA1’s Monza round despite losing the lead on the opening lap.
Front row starter Sergio Campana stole the lead from Rosenqvist at the start with Nigel Melker following through. The Italian led for two laps before being overtaken by Melker, who then in turn lost first place to the Swede on lap five.
Rosenqvist, who set the pace around Monza all throughout Friday, was unstoppable from that point on, building up a solid lead until his mandatory stop on lap ten. He inherited the lead when Steijn Schothorst visited the pits on the 13th lap and comfortably cruised to take victory.
Ten seconds behind, Nigel Melker narrowly beat championship rival Mirko Bortolotti for second, with Richard Gonda shadowing the two in fourth.
Campana finished a difficult race in fifth, leading Marco Barba, Dennis Lind and Alessio Picariello.
Sebastian Balthasar took ninth, leading Luis Michael Dorrbecker and Steijn Schothorst with Picho Toledano rounding out the field.
Race results
Pos. | Driver | Time/Gap |
1 | Felix Rosenqvist | 18 laps in 30:03.400 |
2 | Nigel Melker | +11.439 |
3 | Mirko Bortolotti | +12.434 |
4 | Richard Gonda | +15.424 |
5 | Sergio Campana | +25.160 |
6 | Marco Barba | +28.192 |
7 | Dennis Lind | +31.379 |
8 | Alessio Picariello | +36.233 |
9 | Sebastian Balthasar | +54.444 |
10 | Luis Michael Dorrbecker | +58.081 |
11 | Steijn Schothorst | +58.714 |
12 | Picho Toledano | +1:27.800 |