EU 2000: Monza race one notes

Kobayashi takes it to the wire!

Packed with overtaking manoeuvres and incidents, the first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race was won by Kamui Kobayashi (Prema Power Team), who is now only two points adrift of Michael Ammerm0x00fcller in the overall standings, ahead of tomorrow's final battle. The podium was completed by Hiroyuki Matsumura (Graff Racing) and Xavier Maasen (JD Motorsport).

Just as he had done in the Italian Championship race, Kamui Kobayashi got off to a superb start and immediately took the lead. The first chicane was not successfully negotiated by all, several drivers ending up in the gravel pit. Walter Grubm0x00fcller (Team Jenzer) was the first name on the list of drivers forced to abandon.

Kobayashi was then put under pressure by Adrian Zaugg (Jenzer Motorsport) at the end of the first lap. In trying to hold off the South African, both men were overtaken by Hiroyuki Matsumura! The second Japanese driver in the Eurocup did not stay in front for long, Kobayashi quickly taking the lead back. The leaders were followed by Xavier Maasen, Carlo Van Dam (SG Formula), Filipe Albuquerque (Motopark Oschersleben) and Adrian Zaugg, who had come off worst from the incident with Kobayashi.

Michael Ammerm0x00fcller headed into the pits to retire. The German did not therefore score any points, leaving the way clear for his rival to move up in the overall standings.

Kobayashi gradually built up a lead as the laps went by. The Prema Power Team driver seemed to be heading inexorably towards his sixth victory of the season. Matsumura, however, could not manage to shake off Maasen. The main field remained just as agitated: Jer0x00e7me d'Ambrosio (Euronova) ran into the back of Alan Hellmeister (JD Motorsport) and both drivers were forced to abandon.

The fight for 4th place involving Van Dam, Albuquerque, Zaugg and Patrick Rocha (Prema Power Team) was anything but dull, with the four cars at times braking at corners all in a line! The risky game ended up costing Rocha most dearly, who lost a wheel and was forced to abandon! Things settled down after eight laps. Albuquerque was clear in 4th ahead of Zaugg, Kasper Andersen (Team Formula Sport), Bertrand Baguette (Epsilon Euskadi) and Van Dam!

Van Dam continued to fall back in the race standings, whilst Baguette punctured on lap 12. Julien Canal (Graff Racing), Junior Strous (Mr. Glow by AR), Daniel Serra (Cram Competition) and Miguel Molina (Pons Racing) rounded off the top 10. The last piece of drama happened when Strous made a mistake, allowing Molina to get past

After the race was finished, the Stewards disqualified Adrian Zaugg from both of the meeting's races, after deciding that he had deliberately ran into his rivals. Teemu Nyman (Motopark Oschersleben) therefore collected his first point of the season!

Kamui Kobayashi: "It's obviously a good day for me with two wins. I start from second on the grid tomorrow, so it won't be easy to win the title but I will be attacking on every lap to try and do just that."

Hiroyuki Matsumura: "The car was perfect 0x2862 thanks to the Graff Racing mechanics."

Xavier Maasen: "The season has been difficult but we have made a lot of progress. After two fifth places at the last two meetings it's fantastic to end up on the podium. And it's the end of season results that tend to be remembered..."

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