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| May 13, 2018 | |
| ALBERTO CERQUI ON THE PODIUM IN BARCELONA'S OPENER OF PORSCHE MOBIL 1 SUPERCUP 2018 | |
| 13.05.2018 - The third place among the rookies and a positive eighth overall ended Alberto Cerqui's racing weekend at Montmelò, Barcelona (E), in the opener of Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2018.
The Italian driver displayed a great grit behind the wheel of the n.45 Porsche 911 GT3 run by Dinamic Motorsport in the first race of the season in a very competitive series that had a lot of drivers within a few tenths. Cerqui has been the first Italian at the flag and showed a great pace to be among the protagonists in a very intense and spectacular race that is a support event of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix. Cerqui got the most of free practice on Friday to refine his adaptation to the car and his approach to the fast and technical Catalan circuit, resolute to shine in qualifying. The tight session that defined the starting grid had 13 drivers within one second and Cerqui posted a great 1'47.932s that earned him the ninth quickest time less than seven tenths off the lead. Grandstands packed with supporters have added excitement to the season opener. At his first standing start after years of rolling starts, Cerqui put in a great getaway that allowed him to reach turn one in the top ten. In the heat of the opening laps, the Italian driver wisely tried to stay away from troubles in a racing phase full of position changes and spectacular overtaking moves that allowed him to climb up to P8. The Dinamic Motorsport's driver engaged a great three-way battle with Josh Webster (UK) and Mattia Drudi (ITA) in the closing laps. Cerqui defended his position from Webster's attacks until the flag, where he secured his first podium (third of the rookies) and the overall eighth position. Alberto Cerqui: "I am really happy. It has been a tough and real race with very high rhythm from lights to flag. I could have dared a bit more and maybe gain a few positions, but making mistakes would have been really easy and I decided not to run the risk of wasting a good result. My feeling with the car has grown lap by lap, I have been cautious early on and then pushed the tyres in the closing laps, but the two safety cars allowed the others to save their tyres too and therefore also my rivals also had a good grip at the end. In two days time, I will be in Spa-Francorchamps for a testing session that will make me build some more confidence on the Porsche 911 GT3. The level of this championship is really high and shaving off a few tenths could make a big difference". Alberto Cerqui will get back on track for the most exciting race of the season on the legendary circuit of Monaco (MC), next May 25 - 27. Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup - Racing Calendar 2018 Round 1 - 11/13 May - Barcelona (E) Round 2 - 25/27 May - Monaco (MC) Round 3 - 29 Jun/1 Jul - Spielberg (A) Round 4 - 6/8 Jul - Silverstone (UK) Round 5 - 20/22 Jul - Hockenheim (GER) Round 6 - 27/29 Jul - Budapest (H) Round 7 - 24/26 ago - Spa-Francorchamps (B) Round 8 - 31 Aug/1 Sep -Monza (ITA) Round 9/10 - 26/28 Oct - Mexico City (MEX) | |