Rossi, Gutierrez Split Road America Wins
Daniel Morad's hold on the Formula BMW USA crown slipped a little this past weekend at Road America, although the Canadian continues to hold the championship lead going into the final double-header round at Mosport later this month, the next two drivers in the point standings – Esteban Gutierrez and Alexander Rossi – took top billing at Elkhart Lake.
Rossi (Team Apex Racing USA) took Round 11 of the Saturday at Road America in photo-finish fashion. The 15-year-old Californian led the final two laps of the 10-lap contest, winning by a scant .004 second over charging Rookie points leader Esteban Gutierrez (Autotecnica), who had started from the rear of the 16-car field when he was disqualified from qualifying – in which he had won the pole. Formula BMW Germany Junior and Rookie Adrien Tambay (Eurointernational) finished third after leading the first half of the race. HBR Motorsport Team USA teammates Ricardo Favoretto and Steven Guerrero rounded out the top-five.
Polesitter Philip Major (Autotecnica) got a good start, but Tambay, from the second starting spot, was past him in Turn 7 and would lead the next eight laps. With Morad, Rossi and Pelletier in pursuit, Gutierrez began his charge forward from the rear of the grid.
With just a few laps remaining, Pelletier and Morad had contact, resulting in Pelletier retiring in the gravel. Morad continued at the rear of the field and had to settle for a points-wounding 15th.
Gutierrez inherited third and set his sights on Rossi and Tambay. Crossing the line to complete lap eight, Gutierrez set the fastest race lap (2:18.373) and Rossi took the lead over Tambay in turn one. Farther back in the pack, Morad's day ended as a result of contact with Robert Thorne (Team Apex Racing USA) in turn one. On the last lap Gutierrez passed Tambay for second and tried Rossi in the final turn, but Rossi held on to take his second win of the season.
The top-finishing Rookie drivers were Gutierrez (P2), Tambay (P3), Favoretto (P4), Eric Morrow (P8) and Timothy Hollowell (P10).
"I started off in third and I just focused on getting a good run," related Rossi. "I had a very good run on Adrien going into Turn 1. I wasn't sure if I wanted to pass there as I wanted to be in second on the last lap, but the opportunity was there., so I took it."
Gutierrez said, "It was a very tough race, coming from the back it was very hard. I had to be patient. I came up on Rossi on the straight and tried to get by, it was a very tight race at the end. It was a very good race."
The following day brought some reversals of fortune for Gutierrez. The 16-year-old from Monterrey, Mexico, qualified second for Sunday's Round 12, but then was handed his record eighth pole of the season when top qualifier Maxime Pelletier was DQ'ed for a technical infraction. He made the most of the opportunity, leading from standing start to checkered flag, and finishing .402 second ahead of Tambay in the 10-lap race. It was his fourth win of the year.
Tambay, a Formula BMW Germany Junior and Rookie, was delighted with podium finishes in his first two USA series starts. Tambay was also credited with the fastest lap of the race, 2:18.321, on the final lap.
His Eurointernational teammate, Morad, finished third. It was the "worst" of the 17-year-old Canadian's ninth podium finishes this year (five wins, three seconds and one third), and keeps him in the catbird's seat toward the title. Major and Robert Thorne (Team Apex Racing USA) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Gutierrez and Tambay quickly established a gap on the first lap. Behind them the racing was very close with Ricardo Favoretto (HBR Motorsport Team USA) in third, strongly challenged by Round 11 winner Alexander Rossi (Team Apex Racing) resulting in Rossi spun off the track and rejoined the race at the back of the field. Favoretto was assessed a drive through penalty for avoidable contact and after failing to report to pit lane for the penalty, he was not scored for the final three laps.
The top-finishing Rookie drivers were Gutierrez (P1), Tambay (P2), Eric Morrow (P10), Timothy Hollowell (P12) and Favoretto (P16).
Winner Gutierrez said, "My job was to get a gap on the first lap. Yesterday I was passing cars and today was very different. It was a nice change to not have cars in front of me and to focus on consistent lapping and not make mistakes. It was a good race."
Tambay added, "Perhaps I woke up too late. I made a charge in the last two laps with the draft, but Esteban was really fast. I was closing in the final laps and I am not sure I could win, but it was a very good result to come here and get two podiums. Thank you to my team Eurointernational for a great car."
Morad admitted he had been a little conservative, considering the points scenario. "Coming into this race, I knew I had to score points for the championship," he said. "After yesterday, the team really got behind me and motivated me to focus. I owe this finish to my team who stayed very late to give me a great car. I drove more conservatively today and fell back at the start but I thought I could get third so I tried and managed to get it on the last lap."
The final two rounds of the championship will be held at Mosport International Raceway in support of ALMS on Aug. 24-26.
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