At the AutoGP 2013 season opener in Monza both Zele drivers finished in the top eight. Former F1 driver Narain Karthikeyan recovered from a collision at the start to come fifth, while Luciano Bacheta placed eighth, which puts him on Pole Position for Sunday’s second race. Narain will start from P4.
After a qualifying session hampered by tyre problems, the drivers were only 10th (Luciano) and 12th (Narain) on the grid. Right after the start, ahead of the first chicane, Narain was spun by a rival and dropped to the bottom of the field. While Luciano was forcing his way up to third, Narain stopped early.
Building on his F1 experience, the Indian fought back, gaining spot by spot. Bacheta was held up in traffic before his obligatory stop and exited the pits on cold tires, which made it impossible to keep up with his immediate rivals. Coming eighth though, he will be on Pole for Sunday’s event.„I am a bit sad, as I was already on P3. But following my stop, I stood no chance against my rivals with warm tires. Ahead of the pit stop I was quite nervous, as it was a career first. But everything went well“, Bacheta said
Narain pleased to finish P5. „I could not see who bumped into me at the start. But our car was much faster this time and our strategy was perfect. After all, it is quite something to move up from last to fifth in the end”, Karthikeyan was all smiles.
Teamboss Michael Zele was delighted about the opener: „I am very content. Narain showed a strong race and Luciano was unfortunate after his stop to come out in a group of rivals, as his tires were still cold.”
Result AutoGP Race 1 Monza:
1. Campana (ITA) – Ibiza Racing
2. Sato (JPN) – Euronova Racing
3. Ghirelli (ITA) – Super Nova Int.
4. Visoiu (ROM) – Ghinzani Motorsport
5. KARTHIKEYAN (IND) – ZELE RACING
6. Spavone (ITA) – Super Nova Int.
7. Agostini (ITA) – Manor MP Motorsport
8. BACHETA (GBR) – ZELE RACING
