Portuguese racing drivers and teams did not enjoy the best of luck during the big Parkalgar Motor Park weekend in the Algarve.
In the showcase Superleague Formula event, FC Porto driver Alvaro Parente started well enough, with second place in free practice, but could only translate that promising start into eighth on the grid for the race proper following Saturday’s qualifying sessions.
Similarly disappointed with their performances were Spanish ‘Sporting’ driver Andy Soucek (12th) as well as the favoured Maserati pairing of Miguel Ramos and Enrique Bernodi in 13th place. Furthermore, the experienced Pedro Lamy and Stefan Muecke were even further behind in 15th as Sunday’s chequered flag was raised.
Lamy recovered well and was lying in seventh when a puncture stopped his FIA GT1 challenge for a podium finish, as Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels (tennis ace Steffi Graf’s ex-boyfriend) were left to claim the spoils.
Even greater misfortune befell Ramos, who failed to complete a single lap after touching the rear end of Lamborghini while jostling for position in front of him, as Soucek brought up the rear of the field.
That left Parente, who managed an excellent third place in the first of three final Superleague races before his left wheel spun off during the second leg preventing him from competing further.
Instead Briton James Walker took the 100,000 Euro first prize for his Liverpool team in front of Anderlecht’s Davide Ringon and Beijing Guoan’s John Martin.
