Super weekend for Dutchman Van T’Hoff, capable of surprisingly emerging on a friendly track. Victory built up over the weekend, from qualifying to direct matches, closing the final with a flourish. The race decisive, saw Victor Bernier as absolute frontrunner until the end. The Frenchman, however, author of a great performance, was penalized three seconds for not respecting starting procedures. Masterful performance by Gabriele Minì, third at the finish line, and championship leader.

CIK FIA EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP OK / OKJ

THE GRID

Van T’Hoff, assisted by the British team, Forza Racing, earns spotlights starting from Friday practice, and it’s in the heats where he puts on a great display of force and ease. His determination is rewarded with the pole for the final. At his side, an equally combative and sharp Bortoleto. The Russian Smal, best time in practice, is in second row together with Frenchman Bernier. Third row for Minì and Ten Brinke.

BERNIER, 3 SECONDS TOO MANY. VAN T’HOFF, GRATEFUL

Rolling start and hot phases of the race right from the beginning. The fast sections of the PFI take their toll on the first lap: inevitable crash in curve six, with four drivers immediately out (Amand, Briz Llull, Ressico D’aloisio and Gomez Gutierrez). Meanwhile, Smal takes over the lead. In the second lap, Victor Bernier gets noticed, duel with Bortoleto, up to that point in second, only to pass him under the tunnel during the third lap. The Brazilian of CRG lost contact soon after, giving way also to Van T’Hoff and Minì on the 5th lap. When the first five positions seemed to be congealed, a surprise on lap five. Bernier tries to lunge past Smal, early leader, and succeeds. The Russian’s hopes of taking back his position do not last long, under pressure by Van T’Hoff, and he lets the Frenchmen go. Behind the first three, a gap of almost a second with the second trio: Minì, Bortoleto and Ten Brinke. High tension between Van T’Hoff and Smal, the Dutchman increasingly threatening on lap eight. On the tenth lap, Kirill Smal heads off the track, touches the barriers, his race compromised.