Comini wins after epic battle with Guilvert

Despite a barrage of attacks from Grégory Guilvert, Oregon Team’s Stefano Comini held firm right to the end. It was a stunning battle between the two men, but in the end it was Comini who once again emerged victorious. With six poles and six wins from the last six races, it is fair to say that the Swiss driver is operating on another level this season. Guilvert finished second after his valiant effort, with Niccolo Nalio (Oregon Team) completing the podium.

Six qualifications, six pole positions for Stefano Comini. The Swiss driver was once again the fastest man on the track and lined up on the front row alongside Bas Schothorst (TDS Racing), with David Dermont (also TDS Racing) and Grégory Guilvert sitting just behind. 

Comini had expressed concerns about the damp conditions before the race, but he appeared untroubled once the lights had gone out and was quickest out of the blocks. Behind him, the action was already intense with Dermont moving up into second and Guilvert leapfrogging Schothorst, who fell to fourth place. 

Guilvert seemed comfortable racing in the rain and he managed to get the better of Dermont before the end of lap one. Having moved up into second place, the Frenchman wasted no time in making his presence felt behind race leader Comini. Meanwhile, Schothorst regained second place by storming past TDS Racing team-mate Dermont.

Comini led proceedings in the ferocious opening stages, with Guilvert and Schothorst close behind and Dermont, Niccolo Nalio and Bernhard Ten Brinke following further back. Dermont found himself unable to fend of challenges from Nalio and Ten Brinke, and the pair moved up into fourth and fifth place respectively. Shortly after, the safety car was forced to make an appearance following a collision between Michael Munemann (Algarve Pro Racing Team) and Steven Gijsen (Equipe Verschuur).

With the safety car still out on track, the race leaders took the opportunity make their compulsory pit stops. Good work from Oregon Team allowed Nalio to exit the pits at the head of the pack, followed by team-mate Comini, then Guilvert, Ten Brinke, Dermont and Michele Faccin (Boutsen Energy Racing). Schothorst’s detour into the pits was somewhat less productive, as he rejoined the safety car-led field all the way down in 10th place. 

Just a short time after the restart, Comini managed to overtake his team-mate and regain control of the race. Guilvert and Ten Brinke also gained an advantage, while Nalio tumbled from first place down into fourth. Guilvert was quicker than Comini, and he piled huge amounts of pressure on the Swiss driver towards the end of the race. Comini showed fantastic resistance, however, and managed to hold off Guilvert’s advances. Behind the leaders, Ten Brinke went out of the race with just 13 minutes to go.

On lap 13, Guilvert flew past Comini along the pit straight with an unstoppable move to take the lead. However, Comini handled turn one better than the Frenchman, and wrestled back first place. Guilvert pushed hard to find an opening right until the final lap, but Comini held firm to record a brilliant victory. With six poles, six wins and 150 points on the board, the Swiss driver is certainly making a mark this season.

What they said

Stefano Comini: “It was a really crazy race. Grégory Guilvert didn’t give me a moment’s peace. I’m absolutely drained. Six races, six wins – that really is perfect. But it was really tough out there today, as I’m not fond of the rain.”

Grégory Guilvert: “Stefano was quicker at the start of the race, but I quickly caught up with him. I was better, I gave everything, but he did incredibly well to resist. He doesn’t let anything drop. I’ve had a great weekend, and I’d like to say thanks to Team Lompech Sport. I’ll do all I can to be at Budapest, but nothing’s been decided yet.”

Niccolo Nalio: “Success was lacking at Spa-Francorchamps. It’s my first time here at the Nürburgring. I made some mistakes in testing and qualifying, but it’s a good result today – particularly as I started in eighth. The victory slipped away after the safety car. I made a couple of mistakes, but third is a good result.”