Panis, maiden victory and leadership in first FV8 weekend

MOTORLAND ARAGÓN – Aurélien Panis achiveved today his first victory in Formula V8 3.5 after taking position to poleman Dillmann, who finished second. René Binder takes his first podium in third position.

Tables to 35 points in FV8 championship for Delétraz (Fortec Motorsports) and Aurélien Panis (Arden Motorsport) after MotorLand weekend is finished. Frenchman achieved first victory after winning position to Dillmann (AVF) at the start.

Hit was at the start when Vaxivière (SMP Racing) and Delétraz (Fortec Motorsports) touched after the first winning the place to yesterday’s winner in a fantastic start. While the SMP driver had to come back to the box to retire, rookie was able to make a magnific comeback that lead him to the fifth position and not losing chances in the championship.

At the back, Roy Nissany (LOTUS) would also make a great start, and after a mistake he was still 8th at first laps. Panis was pulling away from Dillman by setting fastest laps.

At lap 6 Cecotto (RP Motorsport) and Nissany would stop, and after Celis Jr (AVF) would do so when running 3rd along with Delétraz. The strategy did not fit the mexican, as he lost many positions.

Fittipaldi (Fortec Motorsports) suffered a bad stop in which he lost time, but his later rhythm was fast and he kept winning positions. Key stop was in lap 12, when Panis and Dillmann were running really close and would stop together. Arden Motorsport team made a great pitstop that allowed the frenchman leave a second and a half away from Dillmann and run to the victory.

Behind Delétraz was setting fastest laps and best sectors until catching Celis and Cecotto. At first overtake movement Celis would touch him and broke a wing apex, but that didn’t stop the swiss, who finished in a great fifth position.

The bad weekend was fot Orudzhev (Arden Motorsport), whose car stopped when warm up lap was finished and also when he was starting from the pitlane without any explanation the mechanics could give. Russian could start and make his race, until a touch at the end with Isaakyan (SMP Racing) made him have to stop the car at box.

Next race for FV8 3.5 will be next 23 april in Hungaroring.

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