Fernando Horta crossed the finish line at the Red Bull Ring a full 45.5 seconds clear of the field, taking a comprehensive victory in the opening round of FormulaDuude Season 03.
Rewinding to the start, the Williams Grand Prix Engineering driver set the tone early by securing pole position in his #01 Ferrari 360 GTC with a 1:34.650. When the lights went out for the 14-lap feature, Horta immediately broke away from the pack, finding a race rhythm that completely eclipsed his qualifying effort to record the fastest lap of the session at 1:32.665.
Behind him, Juliano Flores drove a isolated race for Scuderia Libra. Settling into second position from third on the grid, Flores managed his #29 Ferrari to the flag without challenge, securing 12 championship points despite lacking the ultimate pace to mount an attack on the leader.
Pippo, who had lined up on the front row in his #77 Mapua Racing Porsche GT3-RSR after a 1:35.256 qualifying run, found himself unable to maintain the pace of the mid-engine Ferraris. Completing 13 laps before the leader took the checkered flag, Pippo crossed the line one lap down to round out the podium in third place.
Eurico Maluf (Executive Director): "The timing system ran without technical interruption and all three entries completed the scheduled distance. The standings are officially ratified."
With maximum points awarded for pole, victory, and fastest lap, Horta and Williams Grand Prix Engineering take an early lead in both championships as Round 1 concludes.
Ps. Pippo, where did the Porsche's straight-line speed go after qualifying?!
