Azcona and Michelisz take FAST Quarter Final wins leaving rivals deflated

Hyundai Motorsport N’s Mikel Azcona and Norbert Michelisz took a brace of Pool FAST Quarter Final wins in the heat of Vallelunga leaving a trio of their rivals with tyre issues as two CUPRAs and one Romeo Ferraris had to limp to the line. The first Pool FAST Quarter Final saw a familiar three-wide battle into T1 with Azcona emerging ahead of Bruno Spengler (Romeo Ferraris) and Adrien Tambay (CUPRA EKS).

Spengler fought right back to take the lead for but a moment, before Azcona nipped through on the inside between turns 4 and 5 on the first lap, to take a lead he would not subsequently lose. Ad/> Spengler soon had Tambay on his case and would spend more time looking aft eather than fore for the rest of the first lap ebfore the trio found some space on lap two, readying themselves for their next battles.

By the third lap the gaps were increasing, but a tactical game was being played by all, saving Power Up for the final laps. Sure enough, Tambay was back with Spengler at the end of the fourth lap but the pressure would be as short-lived as that in Tambay’s rear left tyre which gave up its battle against the heat and kerbs, punctured and deposited itself over a larger area than its design spec dictated.

FIA ETCRMartin pips Blomqvist in Pool FURIOUS Qualifying4 HOURS AGO With Tambay now on limp mode to the line, Spengler could give his all for the final lap to try to catch Azcona, but ultimately to no avail as the Hyundai Motorsport N man took victory. Mikel Azcona Hyundai Motorsport N A very good day in both series! It is very positive to have been the fastest in Qualifying with a perfect feeling with the car and then winning the Quarter Final against Bruno and Adrian, who are super strong guys.