Silver for Christian Merli at the 28th Salita del Costo

At the 28th Salita del Costo, in Vicenza province, Christian Merli finishes 2nd, 1”96 behind the winner Simone Faggioli. Ahead of the European championship opener on 14 April, the first round of the northern Italy hill climb trophy serves as a test for Merli in his Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM. A single race run of 9,910 km with ten hairpins, starting in Cogollo del Cengio and finishing in Bramonte.

Christian’s comments
“Unfortunately I opted for intermediate tyres, while the track turned out to be dry right up to the finish. In the final section the tyres were dropping off and it felt like I was floating. But I’m happy. We’re nevertheless first among the E2-SS single-seaters. The car is working well and we’re ready for the first round of the European championship at the 47th Col Saint Pierre in France next week. It was a great race for Team Blue City Motorsport driver Christoph Lampert, who finished 3rd overall.”

Practice
On Saturday, in the first official practice session marked by fog, low temperatures and a wet track, Faggioli finishes 1st in 5’22”47, with Merli 0”40 behind. In the second run, Faggioli in his Norma M20 FC sees the clocks stop on 4’18”42.

Christian 94th in the second practice run
“Everything’s fine”, the Scuderia Vimotorsport driver explains. “I had to stop and wait because one of the drivers ahead of me had spun in the middle of the road. Once they had moved him out of the way, I continued.”

The race
On Sunday, the single race run. Faggioli posts the best time in 4’06”55, with Merli 1”96 behind.

The podium
1st Faggioli (Norma M20 FC), 2nd Merli (Osella FA 30 Zytek LRM) 1”96 behind, 3rd Lampert (Osella FA 30) 13”57 behind.

Ruth Scheithauer