Christchurch’s Marcus Armstrong (#9) has finished second in the opening race of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth at the Vallelunga circuit in Italy.

Earlier in the day in qualifying for the third round, Armstrong secured second grid position for race one and pole for the third race of the weekend.

The first race of three was decided at the first turn on the opening lap, when the Guatemalan Ian Rodriguez (#45 DRZ Benelli) passed firstly the New Zealander Armstrong (Prema Power Team) and then the Russian Artem Petrov (#42 DR Formula), immediately putting a margin between himself and his pursuers.

A great battle then developed between Petrov (who finished third) and Armstrong (who was second at the chequered flag). The New Zealander passed the Russian – on lap 12 – with a manoeuvre started on the outside and completed on the inside line of the following corner.


Qualifying
Artem Petrov and Marcus Armstrong monopolised the grid for the first two races of the Italian F4 Championship powered by Abarth.

The Russian Petrov driving for DR Formula took pole position in the first session (and will start race one this afternoon from the front), thanks to a time of 1:34:840 ahead of the New Zealander from Prema Power Team, Marcus Armstrong (1:34:946).

However in the second group of qualifying, Armstrong went fastest with a time of 1:34:717 followed by Petrov with a 1:34:737. Starting on grid 3 in Race 1 will be Ian Rodriguez (DRZ Benelli), in Race 2 starting behind the 2 on the front row will be the Italian for DR Formula, Aldo Festante.