First racing weekend in the 2013 season of the Mexican Luis Michael at the Autódromo Pierro Taruffi in Vallelunga Italy.
Michael is racing in the Italian Formula Fiat-Abarth Championship. Formula racing cars with an Italian Tatuus chassis, 1.4l turbo charged Fiat-Abarth motor and Kumho tires.
Well filled starting grid with drivers of impressive preparation: at the start the Champion of the Formula Abarth Series in 2010, the winner of the World Cup for KF2 karts in 2011, the new hope of Italian racing drivers as mentioned by Andrea de Cesaris ex F1 driver, some of the few Russian drivers who are invading the racing scene after their first driver in F1, Vitaly Petrov etc. etc.
The United Nations meet in the Italian Abarth Series: Brazil, Finland, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Russia.
Team fun in the pits
Training and Qualifying:
The weather went crazy during the weekend. Dry and sunny during the training sessions but exactly in the preparation for the two hot qualifying sessions for the races 1 and 3 the skies opened and a torrential downpour started.
Luis Michael like a fish in the water, showing his skills and that he has the “quick hands”. Putting down fast laps as if his car is running on rails! Only interrupted by red flags and other cars spinning around in his way. Being one of the fastest on track, he has to settle for a 4th starting position in both races 1 and 3.
The Rainmeister
Race 1 “25 laps”, Sunday 9:00 am:
The Track still wet, a not so good start pushes Michael back to the 6th position, his car set up for rain but the track drys out after 3 laps and the south Italian sun comes out with power!
Michael furious, each lap getting slower, no possibility of attack and he has to give away another position ending the race in the 7th spot!
Race 2 “sprint 15 laps” Sunday 13:00 pm:
The 7th place from race 1 being the starting position of Luis Michael. An incredible starting chaos as 2 cars stall on the grid and the whole bunch of cars has to go around them trying to not crash into each other. Michael passes the stopped car in front of him in a parallel swing together with one of his competitors beside him. Only an inch of space before the rear tires touch.
Back in the racing line he finds himself in 4th place and during the race he only has to let go by the fastest car of the weekend, driven by Rovera, to end the “sprint” race in an excellent 5th position!
Follow please!
Race 3 “25 laps”, Sunday 17:00 pm:
The third race of the day, Michael following the qualification result, takes off in 4th position!
Again a cardiac start, this time Luis Michael going off as an arrow, after 1000 feet he is in 3rd position. He is holding this place during 4 laps but after the tires of his car heat up it seems to lose speed and he is approached by the ex champion Iaquinta and the winner of the World Cup in karts Spinelli, still Michael is able to finish the race in a very satisfying 5th spot!
Analysis:
A tight championship with very strong talents, Luis Michael with excellent results, solid and stable drive, winning good points for the championship in all of the races!
Michael is very grateful to his followers getting up early and watching the races live on internet TV and thanks his sponsor Cauchotec as well as for the help of ECOM, Ronal, Luk and Mann Filter.