Lisowski crowned champion at Oschersleben

Mateusz Lisowski clinched this year’s Scirocco R-Cup title with a round to spare at Oschersleben last weekend thanks to a victory and third place finish.

The young Pole laid down an imperious marker to his only championship contender Ola Nilsson by qualifying on pole for the opening race, which he duly converted into a lights-to-flag victory.

5.8 seconds back came Stefano Proetto who absorbed constant pressure throughout from Jan-Hendrik Ubben to finish second, despite the pair swapping places towards the end.

Nilsson’s fourth place finish saw him slip 67 points adrift of Lisowski in the standings, meaning the Swede had to finish ahead in race two if he was to carry the championship fight to the final round at Hockenheim in late October.  

In the junior classification, Moritz Oestreich’s victory and fifth place overall ensured he too could seal the Rookie title the following day after amassing a 99-point lead over his nearest challenger.
 
Sunday’s wet conditions made for an intriguing battle at the front where Lisowski’s third place behind first-time winner Aditya Patel and Oestreich was all he needed to claim the crown.

But for a time it appeared as though Nilsson would gatecrash the coronation party. Lining up behind Lisowski, the pair enjoyed a fantastic lap-long dual before the Swede made it past. Revelling in the tricky conditions Oestreich and then Patel were also quickly dispatched.

Knowing he needed all the points possible to maintain his slim title chances, Nilsson then closed rapidly on race leader Daniel Lloyd. The British driver proved a much tougher opponent though and when the pair collided at the first corner, sending both spinning, the championship was back in Lisowski’s grasp, despite Nilsson battling back to finish fourth.

Oestreich’s second place overall – his best result of the season – ensured he too wrapped up the Rookie title early.     

Volkswagen Scirocco R-Cup is live on Motors TV.


Tom Hornsby