Dienst wins Slovakia Ring thriller, Picariello secures 2013 title

Photo: ADAC Formel Masters

Neuhauser Racing’s Marvin Dienst has come out victorious in a spectacular four-way fight for victory in the second Slovakia Ring race, while Alessio Picariello‘s second place has secured him the championship title.

The Belgian driver entered Sunday with a 97-point advantage over nearest championship rival Maximilian Gunther, needing only an 80-point cushion after race two to be crowned champion. With the slight intrigue remaining at the start, it soon became clear that Picariello’s title celebrations were in no danger of being postponed, when Gunther was sent into gravel after contact with a spinning Stefan Riener.

However, even with the title fight resolved early, there was plenty of action going on on-track, as, following an early safety car period, the viewers were treated to a spectacular lengthy fight for the lead.

A great start from Swiss driver Ralph Boschung allowed him to take the lead into turn one, the rookie remaining at the front when the safety car came out. While poleman Nicolas Beer tumbled down the order, his teammate Dienst did the exact opposite and, having started from eighth, was second in the span of two laps.

Following the restart, a clear group of four victory contenders emerged, with Boschung leading Dienst, Picariello and Jason Kremer. With ten minutes to go, Dienst attempted an overtake on Boschung into turn one, braking late to take the lead. However, he was almost immediately dethroned by Picariello.

The duo would go on to change positions multiple times over the next laps, while, right behind them, Boschung and Kremer were fighting it out for third. Finally, with five minutes remaining, Dienst pulled off yet another overtake on the Belgian and started to pull away, as Picariello found himself coming under pressure from Kremer and Boschung.

The race calmed down in the last minutes, with Dienst taking a confident win, ahead of the newly-crowned champion Picariello, Kremer and Boschung.

Behind the leading group, Beitske Visser and Beer spent most of the race fighting for fifth, with Visser getting the job done in a brilliant last-lap move. Fabian Schiller and Indy Dontje were seventh and eighth respectively, as Stephane Kox and Mikkel Jensen completed the top ten.

Race results

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Championship standings