ETCC S’Touring race 1: Giovanardi takes series lead

The reigning Euro STC champion led from start to finish in Hungary in his Nordauto-run Alfa 156, despite pressure from Gabriele Tarquini's JAS Honda Accord and Roberto Colciago's Audi A4 quattro.

Colciago got ahead of Tarquini, but the Honda ace hit back when the Audi slid wide. The leading pack a runner when Matt Neal's Team Dynamics Nissan Primera pulled off at the first corner with just a couple of laps remaining.

The second JAS Honda of Fabrice Walfisch attacked erstwhile series leader Nicola Larini for fourth but locked up and clipped the Alfa at Turn 11, sending his Honda into the gravel. After his excursion, Walfisch got going again to finish fourth.

Larini escaped unscathed, but he then lost his title advantage when his left-rear tyre punctured on the start/finish straight, forcing him into the pits. He was classified out of the points in 12th place, but starts the second race from pole.

Fabrizio Giovanardi, Nordauto Alfa Romeo 156, 13 laps
Gabriele Tarquini, JAS Honda Accord, +0.209s
Roberto Colciago, AGS Audi A4 Quattro, +0.526s
Fabrice Walfisch, JAS Honda Accord, +16.378s
Eric Cayrolle, BMW 320i, +17.205s
Sandro Sardelli, Nissan Primera, +17.613s