John Filippi converts the pole into a victory at Monza

John Filippi converted the pole position into his first win of the season in TCR Europe’s Race 1 at Monza. The Corsican driver and his Sébastien Loeb Racing CUPRA Leon Competición crossed the line just over six-tenths ahead of the Janík Motorsport Hyundai Elantra N of Jáchym Galáš with the Halder Motorsport Honda Civic Type R of Mike Halder completing the podium positions.

The race took place in a heavy drizzle, which made driving conditions tricky and guaranteed some great show. Filippi started from the pole but was beaten to Turn 1 by Nicola Baldan, although Filippi retook the lead out of the first chicane. Marco Butti made up two places and was third ahead of Galáš. 

The lead changed hands again when Baldan passed Filippi at the Roggia; Franco Girolami and Halder were fighting for P6, while Josh Files was fifth after starting from P11. Galáš passed Butti for P3 and Halder passed Girolami for P6. Michelle Halder ended up in the gravel at Turn 11 and, just after Files passed Butti for fourth, the Safety Car was deployed.

Racing resumed on lap 7; Filippi attacked Baldan and briefly took the lead before Baldan struck back and passed him once again. Young made contact with Girolami at the first chicane and spun. Going through the Parabolica, Filippi once again passed Baldan for the lead, while Halder passed Files for P4.

On Lap 9, Files was under attack from Isidro Callejas, while Galáš passed Baldan for P2 and set off in pursuit of Filippi over the remaining three laps. Callejas managed to pass Files for P5 at the Curva Grande, but Files retook the position and there was contact between the pair at the Roggia chicane. Halder passed Baldan for P3 and despite both Halder and Galáš looked faster than Filippi, the podium positions didn’t change.

In the battle for the Drivers’ title, Files has closed the gap to Girolami to 62 points, while Callejas has moved up into third place ahead of Tom Coronel.

Race 2 is scheduled to start tomorrow at 12:25 local time (CEST) and will be streamed live on TCR TV.

Monza – Race 1
1. John Filippi (Sébastien Loeb Racing, CUPRA Leon Competición), 12 laps
2. Jáchym Galáš (Janík Motorsport, Hyundai Elantra N), 0.637
3. Mike Halder (Halder Motorsport, Honda Civic Type R), 1.722

Championship points
1. F. Girolami 314 pts; 2. J. Files 252; 3. I. Callejas 223

Picture: TCR Europe