Vidales Takes Opening Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine Win at Imola

David Vidales took the first Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine victory at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari in a race three times interrupted by the safety car.

After starting from pole position, Prema Powerteam’s Vidales held onto the lead at the start, while Arden’s Alex Quinn jumped up to second place as front row starter Paul Aron (Prema Powerteam) dropped to fourth.

The first safety car was needed after Arden’s Nicola Marinangeli spun into the gravel trap at Tamburello at the start of lap two, while further around the lap, DR Formula’s Brad Benavides also went off at Acque Minerali, with the American being launched over the kerb and into retirement.

Vidales held on to the lead after a perfect restart, with Quinn maintaining second ahead of R-ace GP’s Hadrien David and Aron.  It wasn’t long however when the safety car was needed again as JD Motorsport’s Tommy Smith spun into the wall on the exit of Tosa.

A mistake by Quinn on the restart gave Vidales a gap on the restart, with the Briton withstanding pressure from David.  Quinn edged closer to the leader but was unable to get close enough to make an attempt for position.  

The safety car was needed for a third time when Kas Haverkort (MP Motorsport) crashed out on the exit of Tamburello after contact with Patrik Pasma (KIC Motorsport).  There was not enough time for the wreckage to be removed for the race to resume and it finished behind the safety car.

Vidales, who took his maiden car racing victory at Imola last year in Formula Renault Eurocup, led the field to the chequered flag ahead of Quinn and David, with Aron ending fourth ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Grégoire Saucy, with Arden’s William Alatalo ending sixth ahead of leading rookie Isack Hadjar of R-ace GP.

Dino Beganovic ran off track on the opening lap but was able to finish eighth after coming out ahead of a close battle with FA Racing’s Gabriel Bortoleto, while Van Amersfoort Racing’s Mari Boya completed the points scorers ahead of ART Grand Prix’s Gabriele Mini and FA Racing’s Andrea Rosso.

As well as Haverkort, Smith, Marinangeli and Benavides, both DR Formula’s Emidio Pesce and R-ace GP’s Zane Maloney failed to finish.

Race two will take place on Sunday morning, with Saucy on pole position.

Race Result