June 2007

CIRCUIT GILLES VILLENEUVE – ROUND 4 – RACE

Major Scores His First Podium, Gutierrez Troubled by Flat Tire

Montreal, Canada – June 10, 2007… Canadian Daniel Morad (Eurointernational) increased his hold on the overall points lead in the 2007 Formula BMW USA Championship with a win today in Round 4 at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada. Both Saavedra and third-place finisher Philip Major (Autotecnica) had career-best finishes.

Polesitter Esteban Gutierrez (Autotecnica), of Monterrey, Mexico, led the first two laps of the race before losing the lead to Morad. The Rookie driver stalked Morad while setting the fastest lap of the race (1:45.910 minutes) on lap 12, before ultimately settling for a sixth place finish after a flat tire on the last lap. Although this was the first time Gutierrez finished out of the top-four, he was the top-finishing Rookie and retains the Rookie points lead.

The top-finishing Rookies were Gutierrez (P6), Jeffrey Petriello (P8), Ricardo Favoretto (P11), Timothy Hollowell (P13) and Michael Vincec (P15).

With this win, Morad extends his lead over Gutierrez in the Overall championship points, with Saavedra in third. Gutierrez leads the Rookie points with Jeffrey Petriello second and Favoretto third.

“For sure this is my biggest weekend ever,” said Morad. “After lap three I was really comfortable and was able to overtake Gutierrez. The car has been perfect all weekend. I was quick in the infield, but Esteban was able to get a good draft on the straight. I was able to break the slipstream with a few laps to go, but the puncture ended it for him.”

Saavedra said, “In the beginning of the race I didn’t have enough heat in the tires. As their temperature increased so did my confidence and I was able to hold off Phillip. I tried to be conservative, but always keep a gap.”

Major said, “It is fantastic to reach my first podium in my home race. We had a great set-up from the beginning of the weekend so we could focus on strategy. I got by Sebastian at one point, but overcooked my tires and he was able to re-pass me. I’m ready for Indy next week.”

Rounds 5 and 6 will be held at the United States Grand Prix on June 15 - 17.

Round 4 – Results (14 laps)

1 Daniel Morad EUROINTERNATIONAL 25:08.376 2 Sebastian Saavedra EUROINTERNATIONAL 25:17.619 3 Philip Major Team Autotecnica 25:22.625 4 Yannick Hofman EUROINTERNATIONAL 25:22.928 5 Robert Thorne Team Apex Racing USA 25:26.719 6 Esteban Gutierrez (R) Team Autotecnica 25:27.397 7 Maxime Pelletier HBR Motorsport Team USA 25:29.237 8 Jeffrey Petriello (R) Team KMA Racing 25:36.682 9 Steven Guerrero HBR Motorsport Team USA 25:41.243 10 Alexander Rossi Hearn Motorsports 25:44.661 11 Ricardo Favoretto (R) HBR Motorsport Team USA 25:45.466 12 Jordan Dick JD Racing 25:45.684 13 Timothy Hollowell (R) Team KMA Racing 26:15.584 14 Julia Landauer Team KMA Racing 26:17.811 15 Michael Vincec (R) Jensen Motorsport 26:20.211 16 Mike Hill Team KMA Racing 26:20.211 17 Lindsey Adams Team KMA Racing 26:28.659 18 Eric Morrow (R) Hearn Motorsports 0 Laps

Championship points after 4 of 14 races:

1. Daniel Morad (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 175), 2. Esteban Gutierrez (Team Autotecnica, 153), 3. Robert Thorne (Team Apex Racing USA, 120), 4. Sebastian Saavedra (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 117), 5. Jeffrey Petriello (Team KMA Racing, 116), 6. Alexander Rossi (Hearn Motorsports, 109), 7. Yannick Hofman (EUROINTERNATIONAL, 104), 8. Steven Guerrero (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 95), 8. Philip Major (Team Autotecnica, 90), 9. Ricardo Favoretto (Team HBR Motorsports USA, 90), 10. Jordan Dick (JD Racing, 88), 11. Maxime Pelletier (HBR Motorsport Team USA, 74), 12. Tim Hollowell (Team KMA Racing, 66), 13. Lindsey Adams (Team Apex Racing USA, 58), 14. Eric Morrow (Hearn Motorsports, 56) 15. Mike Hill (Team KMA Racing, 52), 16. Julian Landauer (Team KMA Racing, 28), 16. Felipe Polehtto (Team Apex Racing USA, 28), 17. Matt Ferris (Gelles Racing, 26), 18. Keenan Schmitke (Gelles Racing, 24), 18. Michael Vincec (Jensen Motorsports, 24)

Rookies: 1. Esteban Gutierrez (153), 2. Jeffrey Petriello (116), 3. Ricardo Favoretto (90) 4. Tim Hollowell (66), 4. Eric Morrow (56) 5. Keenan Schmitke (24)

Courtesy of formulabmwusa.com