Italian Mirko Bortolotti continued his domination of the first weekend of the Formula Acceleration 1 series by winning both races for Team Italy.
The former Formula 2 champion won race one on Saturday by just over five seconds ahead of Dutch driver Nigel Melker, with third placed Sebastian Balthasar of Germany almost half a minute behind the winner. Swede Felix Rosenqvist finished fourth ahead of Slovakian Richard Gonda.
“It went quite well for us,” admitted Bortolotti after the first race. “We had a great start, the car was really good. The team has done a great job for me. I think for myself I’m happy as well, because it’s the first time back in single seaters since 2011 when I won the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
“Coming back and winning the first occasion, scoring two poles, is something that makes me quite proud and happy and I’m happy to score this first win in the new era of ACCELERATION. I’m happy for Italy as well and I’m looking forward for tomorrow, starting from pole, so let’s see what we can do tomorrow.”
Bortolotti’s domination was complete on Sunday when he won race two, again ahead of Melker, winning by 3.602s. Rosenqvist claimed his first podium in third ahead of Balthasar, while Armando Parente was fifth for Team Portugal in front of his home fans.
“It’s a competitive field with experienced drivers,” said Bortolotti on Sunday. “It makes me happy to see the series has got potential. It has been a great weekend for us, actually a perfect one. Two wins, two fastest laps, and two pole positions, so I’m quite happy with the result.
“If I get the chance again, I will try to do the best again and I’m looking forward to the future. The championship has started on the right foot, the cars are massive and the tracks we are going to also, so for it being the first round I’m absolutely delighted with everything.”
Portimao Race 1 Result
| POS | DRIVER | NATION | TIME/Laps |
| 1 | Mirko Bortolotti | Italy | 30m46.906s |
| 2 | Nigel Melker | Netherlands | +5.057s |
| 3 | Sebastian Balthasar | Germany | +29.325s |
| 4 | Felix Rosenqvist | Sweden | +36.735s |
| 5 | Richard Gonda | Slovakia | +58.518s |
| 6 | Armando Parente | Portugal | +1m09.433s |
| 7 | Oliver Campos | China | +1m12.478 |
| RET | Sergio Campana | France | 15 Laps |
| RET | Michael Dorrbeckker | Mexico | 7 Laps |
| RET | Victor Garcia | Spain | 7 Laps |
| RET | Rodolfo Gonzalez | Venezuela | 3 Laps |
Portimao Race 2 Result
| POS | DRIVER | NATION | TIME/Laps |
| 1 | Mirko Bortolotti | Italy | 45m46.750s |
| 2 | Nigel Melker | Netherlands | +3.602s |
| 3 | Felix Rosenqvist | Sweden | +19.964s |
| 4 | Sebastian Balthasar | Germany | +24.801s |
| 5 | Armando Parente | Portugal | +1m02.074s |
| 6 | Oliver Campos | China | +1 Lap |
| RET | Sergio Campana | France | 23 Laps |
| RET | Victor Garcia | Spain | 19 Laps |
| RET | Richard Gonda | Slovakia | 9 Laps |
| RET | Michael Dorrbeckker | Mexico | 9 Laps |
| RET | Rodolfo Gonzalez | Venezuela | 7 Laps |
