Italian Francesco Cantando broke a long run of disappointment when he won the Irish Grand Prix at Waterford on September 15
Italian Francesco Cantando broke a long run of disappointment when he won the Irish Grand Prix at Waterford on September 15. Following a year of frustration he demonstrated his true potential over a tricky three-turn course on the River Suir to take the eighth round of the UIM world Formula 1 championship.
Driving his Mercury powered Dac outfit he lay fifth at the start before slowly moving through the fleet, passing world points leader Guido Cappellini and taking the lead on the 12th lap.
Although Italian Cappellini was having problems with his Dac hull he still managed to hold off a challenge from Saudi driver Laith Pharaon. He then went on to finish second so adding a further 15 points to his already huge championship score.
Frenchman Philippe Dessertenne eventually filled fourth place after opening the contest in 12th place.
The bad luck story of the weekend went to American Scott Gillman. While fighting for pole position in the timed pre-race session on Saturday, he crashed heavily before watching his fourth fastest time end outside the top six qualifying runs placing him seventh on the grid. Engine problems then forced him out of the grand prix on the 17th lap.
Welshman Jonathan Jones, making a comeback after an absence of more than 12 months, qualified eighth on the grid but was forced out of the race with mechanical trouble while lying sixth.
With Guido Cappellini now holds a massive championship score of 130 points, 75 points ahead of Frenchman Philippe Dessertenne, his nearest championship rival. The final two rounds will therefore be closely fought between the three runners-up, Dessertenne, Laith Pharaon, and Scott Gillman who are only four points apart.
The penultimate round will take place in Sharjah, UAE, on December 13.
