Max twice second fastest at DSRC Spring Cup on Imola: 'Good result'
Published on 10 April 2020 by Mike Motilall
Max Verstappen came home second fastest twice in simracing during the first round of the DSRC Spring Cup on Imola in GTE-cars. The Dutchman met with some major competition from his online team mates from Team Redline and DTM-driver Bruno Spengler.
“Regarding the first lap, it’s a shame”, says Max, who dropped way back after someone hit him right after the start of the main race. “But to finish second is nice. Max Benecke came home fourth fastest but was the quickest today and Gianni Vecchio won the main race, so for Team Redline, it was a good result.”
“At home on the simulator, racing is maybe more difficult for me than in a real car, because I have more experience with that”, Max explains. “Imola is also not an easy track. I have always liked the track, even when I drove there in Formula 3. Online today in GTE-cars was therefore very cool.”
After a twenty minutes lasting qualifying on the Italian track, a twenty minutes sprint race follows and also a forty-five minutes main race. Max starts the first race in second place and keeps that position till the chequered flag. His Team Redline team mate Max Benecke, starting from pole, manages to take the victory home with a two-second lead on the Dutchman. Spengler comes in third in a race that is shaken up by a severe crash in the midfield.
Results DSRC Spring CUP, round 1 on Imola, sprint race
The result of the sprint race determines the grid positions for the main race. This puts Max and Benecke next to one another as they head towards the first corner. Max is about half a car length ahead and is hit on the inside by Benecke, after which both spin and drop way back. Spengler has the last laugh and benefits as he takes the lead.
What follows is an amusing catch-up race from Max and Benecke, who both manage to work their way through the field up to P7 and P8. The duo overtake two more drivers after which Benecke manages to outdo Max. The two-some are charging through the field full steam ahead. With 31 minutes left on the clock and with all his skills put to the test, Max is able to take fourth. By now, Gianni Vecchio, also a member of Team Redline, is leading the pack. Spengler trails by some 5 seconds, Benecke nine and Max twelve. 
It takes fifteen minutes before Benecke catches up with the Canadian DTM-driver and makes little work of him. But a few minutes later, Benecke makes a mistake, takes a trip on the gravel and Spengler is second again. With five laps to go, Max slots in behind the two drivers battling it out in front of him. The three fighters then run around Imola like puppets on a string.
With still three laps on the clock, Spengler hits Benecke barely enough to send him slipping of track. Max immediately sees his chance to pounce and demotes Spengler as he takes second from him. By then, Vecchio is nowhere to be seen as he has gone off to take home the victory, ahead of Verstappen and Spengler. Benecke still crosses the line in fourth after an amusing final stage of the race.
Results DSRC Spring CUP, round 1 on Imola, main race
