Unchallenged in practice, qualifying or today, 2008 Formula BMW Americas champion Alexander Rossi (Eurointernational) took the Round 16 victory in front of the Brazilian Grand Prix crowd.
Starting from pole, Rossi led all 14 laps around the 2.677-mile Interlagos circuit, setting a race record on lap 12 (1:40.842 minutes), to hold off Formula BMW Europe driver Daniel Juncadella (Eurointernational) by 2.078 seconds at the checkered flag. Rookie and Formula BMW Junior Mikael Grenier (Apex-HBR Racing Team) finished third to take over the lead in Rookie points for the first time this season.
Canadian Grenier now leads fellow Formula BMW Junior Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica), who finished sixth, by two points. Brazilian Giancarlo Vilarinho (Eurointernational) finished fourth to move to third in Rookie points. Formula BMW Junior Alexandre Ruiz (Apex-HBR Racing Team), also from Brazil, finished ninth, falling to fourth in the standings. With only 12 points between them, these four young men will decide the 2008 Rookie Championship in tomorrow's final race of the season.
The 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship will conclude with Round 17 tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
Race - Round 16 - 14 laps
1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 23:43.448
2 Daniel Juncadella Eurointernational 23:45.526
3 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 23:55.066
4 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 23:56.087
5 Luis Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 23:57.261
6 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 24:02.683
7 Alfonso Toledano Euro Junior Team 24:09.799
8 Ollie Millroy (J) Atlantic Racing Team 24:14.559
9 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 24:22.235
10 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 24:22.845
11 Ricardo Favoretto (J) Autotecnica 24:31.872
12 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 21:11.439 (-2L)
Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team not running
J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie
Overall points standings following 16 of 17 Rounds:
1. Rossi 228
2. Favoretto 141
3. Grenier 126
4. Raimondo 124
5. Vilarinho 116
6. Ruiz 114
7. Goncalvez 88
8. Pelletier 77
9. Ostella 58
10. Jovanovic 20
11. Toledano 11
12. Nasr 10
11. Dalenberg 4
12. Foresti 3
Rookie points:
1. Grenier 126
2. Raimondo 124
3. Vilarinho 116
4. Ruiz 114
5. Ostella 58
6. Jovanovic 20
Starting from pole, Rossi led all 14 laps around the 2.677-mile Interlagos circuit, setting a race record on lap 12 (1:40.842 minutes), to hold off Formula BMW Europe driver Daniel Juncadella (Eurointernational) by 2.078 seconds at the checkered flag. Rookie and Formula BMW Junior Mikael Grenier (Apex-HBR Racing Team) finished third to take over the lead in Rookie points for the first time this season.
Canadian Grenier now leads fellow Formula BMW Junior Gianmarco Raimondo (Autotecnica), who finished sixth, by two points. Brazilian Giancarlo Vilarinho (Eurointernational) finished fourth to move to third in Rookie points. Formula BMW Junior Alexandre Ruiz (Apex-HBR Racing Team), also from Brazil, finished ninth, falling to fourth in the standings. With only 12 points between them, these four young men will decide the 2008 Rookie Championship in tomorrow's final race of the season.
The 2008 Formula BMW Americas Championship will conclude with Round 17 tomorrow at 10:00 a.m.
Race - Round 16 - 14 laps
1 Alexander Rossi Eurointernational 23:43.448
2 Daniel Juncadella Eurointernational 23:45.526
3 Mikael Grenier (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 23:55.066
4 Giancarlo Vilarinho (R) Eurointernational 23:56.087
5 Luis Felipe Nasr (R) Amir Nasr Racing 23:57.261
6 Gianmarco Raimondo (J, R) Autotecnica 24:02.683
7 Alfonso Toledano Euro Junior Team 24:09.799
8 Ollie Millroy (J) Atlantic Racing Team 24:14.559
9 Alexandre Ruiz (J, R) Apex-HBR Racing Team 24:22.235
10 Lucas Foresti (R) Amir Nasr Racing 24:22.845
11 Ricardo Favoretto (J) Autotecnica 24:31.872
12 David Ostella (R) Eurointernational 21:11.439 (-2L)
Jorge Goncalvez Apex-HBR Racing Team not running
J = Formula BMW Junior
R = Rookie
Overall points standings following 16 of 17 Rounds:
1. Rossi 228
2. Favoretto 141
3. Grenier 126
4. Raimondo 124
5. Vilarinho 116
6. Ruiz 114
7. Goncalvez 88
8. Pelletier 77
9. Ostella 58
10. Jovanovic 20
11. Toledano 11
12. Nasr 10
11. Dalenberg 4
12. Foresti 3
Rookie points:
1. Grenier 126
2. Raimondo 124
3. Vilarinho 116
4. Ruiz 114
5. Ostella 58
6. Jovanovic 20