Overpowered cars racing on the (newly redone) asphalt at the Temple of Speed, it was a promising programme with two 50-minute races at the historical 5.793km track. The promises were kept as the two races provided thrills and twists and turns.
In the free practice sessions, the tension was high. Three AM crews were within 20 points of each other, all was still to play for in the championship. As provisional leaders, Gilles Vannelet and Jean-Luc Beaubelique (#87) understood the assignment and set the 2nd time, while Pascal Gibon and Christophe Bourret (#53) were P6. In Pro-AM, the competition was just as fierce. Mauro and Benjamin Ricci (#61) finished in the Top 6.
In Pre-qualifying, the #61 was P8 overall and P5 Pro-AM. In the top 10 overall and P5 AM, the #87 was just ahead of the #53.
Especially at ease on this track, Gilles Vannelet had a veritable party in Q1. Despite a penalty for having caused a red flag (losing their best lap time), Gilles Vannelet remained quickest overall and set another pole. Meanwhile, by wanting to let a car pass who was doing a quick lap, Gilles moved from his trajectory and the other car followed suit. The collision was impossible to avoid, the #87 was too damaged to take part in Q2. A few hours later, the #87 received a 5 place grid penalty for Race 1 for their part in the incident. Christophe Bourret (#53) had a good session, Top 3 AM (P5 overall). Mauro Ricci (#61) was also going strong and set P3 Pro-AM.
In Q2, the #61 with Benjamin Ricci finished the session P5 Pro-AM and Pascal Gibon (#53) P4 AM. Undeniably, the Akkodis ASP Team cars were up for the challenge.
RACE 1 – Limiting the damage
The track conditions were ideal for the first race. The sun came back and the thermostat showed 22°C.
Deprived of the benefit of pole position, Gilles Vannelet (#87) settled on the 3rd row of the grid (P6), between Christophe Bourret (#53) P4 and Mauro Ricci (#61) P7.
The first bit of drama came before the race even started, with the #87 returning to the pits during the formation lap with an ABS issue.
When the lights went green, the cars were released. Christophe Bourret went a bit wide in the chicane to avoid a contact and found himself P9. Mauro Ricci was P7.
At the start of the 3rd lap, victim of a contact, Mauro Ricci was harpooned in the flank by a KTM. He managed to make it back to the pits, but the damage was too important to continue. This early retirement was a bit hard to take. The safety car made its first (and only) appearance.
In the interval, Gilles Vannelet rejoined the track two laps down. Every point was worth taking, even in seemingly desperate situations. At the restart, Christophe Bourret continued his run, P5 (P3 AM) and the #87 was P10 (P5 Pro-AM).
After the driver change, and still running at a consistent pace, none of the drivers were doing anyone any favours. Pascal Gibon (#53) was P5 AM (P7 overall) and Jean-Luc Beaubelique (#87) P6 in class and P9 overall. The last fifteen minutes saw no change in the classification and remained the same as they crossed the finish line.
After this first ‘chaotic’ race, the crew of the #87 lost the AM championship lead by 3 points. Considering the events that took place, the damage was limited.
RACE 2 – Another AM 1-2!
The following day, the sky was cloudy and the sun was a bit pale above Monza, but the drivers were focused on their respective goals. For Jean-Luc Beaubelique (#87), who was starting from the back of the grid (P11) from not having taken part in Q2, it was clear – make up positions. Benjamin Ricci (#61) was on the third row (P5) and Pascal Gibon (#53) on the fourth.
The start was turbulent. Benjamin Ricci was pushed around and put two tyres on the dirt at the exit of the chicane, losing a position but not suffering any damage, sitting P6. Pascal Gibon was P8 (P3 AM) and Jean-Luc Beaubelique P11.
All three drivers went into ‘attack’ mode. Benjamin got back into the Top 5, while Jean-Luc didn’t waste any time either, getting into P10 (P4 AM).
The fight got underway in both categories, with some good battles on show. They were playing cat and mouse, thanks to slipstreaming or braking a little too late. When the pit window was open, everything was still to play for. The three cars were in P5 (#61), P8 (#53) and P9 (#87).
The #87 was the first to head to the pits. Gilles Vannelet slid into the car, planning to take his revenge on the previous day’s race. Thanks to the changes, the positions have evolved, with Mauro Ricci (#61) P4 overall and Pro-AM, Gilles Vannelet P7 and P2 AM, and Christophe Bourret P8 and P3 AM.
Looking for another AM victory, Gilles Vannelet was on the offensive, but the gap was quite large and not easy to close up. It seemed like the fight was already lost.
With 13 minutes to go, the #24 in distress missed on its braking and hit the #53 who went into a spin. Christophe managed to get back on track, having lost 20 seconds but no position.
The final five minutes were intense, with the AM leader increasing the pace, while Gilles was setting great lap times. Still attacking, he climbed to 5th position (P2 AM). With two laps to go, his adversary was in his sights.
The final lap offered an unexpected twist – the #2 Maserati, leading AM class in the race and in the championship, died, allowing the #87 to take over (P4 overall), just ahead of Mauro Ricci who just missed out on the podium (P4 Pro-AM). By crossing the finish line in P2 AM, Christophe Bourret (#53) allowed the team to take home another 1-2 finish. It bears repeating - a race is never over before the finish line.
Once more leading the AM championship, Gilles Vannelet and Jean-Luc Beaubelique have a 10 point lead before the finale in Barcelona (11-13 October). Christophe Bourret and Pascal Gibon are 4th. In Pro-AM, Mauro and Benjamin Ricci are in the Top 10. In the AM Teams’ classification, Akkodis ASP Team is still leading by 14 points.