Formula Acceleration 1

Melker at the Double as Formula Acceleration hits Navarra

2 Mins read

The Spanish circuit of Navarra played host to the second weekend of the Acceleration14 events, which included rounds three and four of the Formula Acceleration 1 series.

After Team Italy and Mirko Bortolotti dominated the first event in the Algarve a week ago, it was the turn of Team Netherlands and Nigel Melker to win both races, although it was not as clear cut, with Bortolotti taking the chequered flag in race two but incurring a ten-second penalty that enabled Melker to add to his first race win.

Melker started race one from pole position, but a bad start saw him drop behind Bortolotti, but the Dutchman retook the lead when the Italian made a mistake, and built up a good lead as he admitted the car felt good.

“The start didn’t go that well, so Mirko Bortolotti was able to pass me,” said Melker after race one. “Luckily he made a mistake which I took advantage of. When I took first position again I was able to create a gap. The car is really good, the pit stop went well and we finished with a gap of 12 seconds.”

Slovakian Richard Gonda finished third ahead of Swede Dennis Lind, who took over the drive from Felix Rosenqvist who was in Germany racing in the FIA European Formula 3 Championship. Venezuelan Rodolfo Gonzalez completed the top five.

A track limits penalty saw Melker’s best lap time from the second qualification session nullified, but a penalty for Bortolotti for a loose tyre in the pit lane saw the Dutchman take a second win of the weekend.

German Sebastian Balthasar completed the podium on Sunday, ahead of Armando Parente, the Portuguese driver having switched to the Chinese entry for Navarra. Fifth place went to Team Mexico and Michael Dorrbeckker.

Navarra Race 1 Result

POS DRIVER NATION TIME/Laps
1 Nigel Melker Netherlands 19 Laps
2 Mirko Bortolotti Italy +11.514s
3 Richard Gonda Slovakia +12.221s
4 Dennis Lind Sweden +25.202s
5 Rodolfo Gonzalez Venezuela +25.954s
6 Sergio Campana Portugal +27.497s
7 Sebastian Balthasar Germany +36.250s
8 Michael Dorrbeckker Mexico +1m06.882s
9 Armando Parente China +1m07.388s
RET Nathanael Berthon Italy 10 Laps
RET Oliver Campos Spain 6 Laps
RET Picho Toledano Mexico 5 Laps

Navarra Race 2 Result

POS DRIVER NATION TIME/Laps
1 Nigel Melker Netherlands 29 Laps
2 Mirko Bortolotti Italy +6.349s
3 Sebastian Balthasar Germany +35.078s
4 Armando Parente China +41.813s
5 Michael Dorrbeckker Mexico +58.772s
6 Picho Toledano Mexico +1 Lap
7 Dennis Lind Sweden +1 Lap
8 Oliver Campos Spain +1 Lap
9 Rodolfo Gonzalez Venezuela +2 Laps
RET Nathanael Berthon Italy 7 Laps
RET Richard Gonda Slovakia 1 Lap
RET Sergio Campana Portugal 0 Laps

 

13769 posts

About author
Long time motorsport fanatic, covering Formula 1 and the occassional other series. Feel free to give him a follow on Twitter at @Paul11MSport.
Articles
Related posts
Formula Acceleration 1

Melker claims inaugural Formula Acceleration 1 Title with double Assen win

2 Mins read
Mirko Bortolotti’s absence from the season finale of the Formula Acceleration 1 series at Assen handed Dutchman Nigel Melker the inaugural series…
Formula Acceleration 1

Inaugural Formula Acceleration 1 Season Shortened

1 Mins read
The Inaugural season of Formula Acceleration 1 has seen two of its remaining rounds cancelled, with organisers claiming the reduced schedule will…
Formula Acceleration 1

Jos Verstappen to Demo FA1 at Zolder Event in July

1 Mins read
Jos ‘the boss’ Verstappen will demonstrate the Formula Acceleration 1 FA1 car when the ACCELERATION event reaches Zolder in July. Former Formula…