Alex Buncombe won the opening Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa race of the season at Monza yesterday. The English driver, making his debut in this single-model category or racing, crossed the line ahead of Alberto Cerrai and Maurizio Fabris, with a margin over them of 26.7 and 29.1 respectively.

During the opening stages of the race Diego Alessi tried to stretch into a lead with a series of fast laps. The only driver able to match him for pace was Buncombe, the rookie.

Further down the field Alberto Cerrai was beginning a comeback that would lead to him claiming a spot on the podium. The duels on the track were exciting the crowds, especially the battle between Maurizio Fabris and Joe Macari.

Last year the two shared the drive at some races but here they fought it out cleanly and fairly. Fabris came out on top in the end but not for long as Cerrai had closed in on him and Macari. The Roman eventually swept past the two in front of him at the first chicane. After the pit stops and driver changes, the classification had a new look with Alex Buncombe now leading.
 

Diego Alessi’s replacement, Francesco Ravasio, could not maintain his crew mate’s early speed and slipped down the pack. Max Cattori had substituted Hans Notter and quickly climbed up the field, settling in behind Maurizio Fabris.

The race order remained unchanged until the chequered flag waved Buncombe home ahead of Cerrai and Fabris. Notter/Cattori, Rob Wilson and Joe Macari completed the top six. Emanuele Smurra, the first Trofeo champion, made a solid return in coming eighth with his brother Stanislao. The VIP drivers also performed admirably: Bobbiese/Panacci finished in ninth, Kidd/Needell sixteenth, Grassetto/DJ Ringo seventeenth and Pizzicannella/Gallo in twenty second, despite leaving the track.

The next Trofeo Vodafone Maserati Europa race will take place in Barcelona. The event will be held on a Formula 1 weekend on 6-8 May.