Imperatori dominates on PCCA debut

Alex Imperatori made a seamless switch from single-seater racing to GT cars last weekend as the Swiss driver one twice on his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia at Shanghai.

The 24-year-old, who raced in Japanese F3 last season and is set to dovetail his PCCA campaign by continuing his single-seater career in Formula Nippon, controlled both F1-support races to take an early lead in the championship despite never having raced in the category before.

The StarChase driver lost the initiative at the start of race 1 as pole sitter Keita Sawa (LKM Racing Team) moved into an early lead, but Imperatori soon worked his way past Team Jebsen’s Rodolfo Avila into second and began the chase of the Japanese driver.

Sata’s early advantage was ullified when a Safety Car period was called following Steven Chian’s off, and when racing resumed Imperatori quickly took the lead and controlled the race to the chequered flag.

Sata settled for second place ahead of Avila, while former champion Darryl O’Young (LKM Racing Team) charged from the back of the grid, after a problem in qualifying, to clinch fourth place in front of Mok Weng Sun (TeamPCS Racing).

Ringo Chong (Team Kangshun) took Class B honours ahead of Chinese drivers Anthony Liu and Wang Jian Wei.

Imperatori started race 2 from pole position and made a clean getaway as Sawa, O’Young and Avila entered turn 1 three-abreast. In the resulting struggle both Sawa and O’Young picked up punctures, dropping them out of contention as they limped back to the pits.

Avila kept Imperatori in his sights throughout the race, but ultimately settled for a solid points haul for second place, while Brian Wong (Absolute Racing) completed the podium having finished eighth in race 1.

Rookie Wang Jian Wei won Class B ahead of OpenRoad Racing’s Francis Tjia and Wayne Shen of Modena Motorsport.

Championship standings (after 2 rounds)

1 Alexandre Imperatori, 40pts
2 Rodolfo Avila, 34
3 Brian Wong, 24
4 Wang Jian Wei, 21
5 Keita Sawa, 19
6 Darryl O’Young, 16
= Francis Tjia, 16
= Wayne Shen, 16
9 Mok Weng Sun, 12
= John Shen, 12

Next round: 29 May, Zhuhai, China

Watch Porsche Carrera Cup Asia highlights as part of Motors TV’s Winter Programming.


Andy Wilkinson

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