PREMA Racing has up-and-down FRECA opener at Imola

PREMA Racing faced an up-and-down weekend at Imola, lining up for the opening round of the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. The team showed impressive pace in practice and in the first qualifying session, securing leading positions in both groups and taking the P1 spots with Rafael Camara and Andrea Kimi Antonelli before the Brazilian lost his best lap for a yellow flag infringement.

On Race 1, Antonelli took off well from P2 and held onto the same position from start to finish while Camara ended up right behind him in P3, and Lorenzo Fluxa completed a positive run with P4 and valuable points.

Unfortunately, electronic engine issues then started to impact the team in qualifying 2 and jeopardized the results of both Antonelli and Fluxa. The Italian could not complete a single timed lap, and the problem could not be solved for the race, which meant that he had to come down to the pits before the start. Fluxa also had to retire in the pits a few laps later.

On the other hand, Camara delivered a positive start, but contact in the first chicane sent him into the gravel and barriers. Sadly, the team had three DNFs, but with two podium finishes and a positive pace, there will be an early chance to fight back in three weeks at Barcelona.

7 LORENZO FLUXÁ

“Overall it has been a positive start to the championship. We showed we had the speed in qualifying and race trim with top-4 in the group qualifying and the pace to be on the podium. It’s a shame about the second day, but that’s racing. We can only improve and we are already looking forward to Barcelona. We will come back stronger and fight harder than ever. “

Qualifying 1 : P3 Gr.A
Qualifying 2 : P4 Gr.A
Starting position Race 1: P5
Starting position Race 2: P7
Fastest Lap: 1:39.133
Fastest Lap: 1:39.286
Race 1: P4
Race 2: DNF

8 RAFAEL CAMÂRA

“It has been a good weekend, we showed a great pace every time we went on track. Unfortunately, on Sunday it was not our race, but we focus now on Barcelona to come back even stronger. Thanks to the team for the mega job.”

Qualifying 1: P2 Gr.A
Qualifying 2: P2 Gr.A
Starting position Race 1: P3
Starting position Race 2: P3
Fastest Lap: 1:39.253
Fastest Lap: 1:39.192
Race 1: P3
Race 2: DNF

12 ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI

“It hasn’t been the best weekend, as we had some issues since practice. In qualifying 1, everything seemed fine, but in Race 1 they came back, although we still salvaged a podium. Unfortunately, despite the work made by the team, we could not take part in qualifying 2 and Race 2 for the same issue. It’s not great to start this way, but we must keep working and do the best we can and reset for Barcelona.”

Qualifying 1: P1 Gr.B
Qualifying 1: P15 Gr.B
Starting position Race 1: P2
Starting position Race 2: P32
Fastest Lap: 1’39″303
Fastest Lap: 1’53″501
Race 1: P2
Race 2: DNF

Source | Photo: PREMA Racing