Drama in the first MotoE race at the Red Bull Ring – On the way to victory Matteo Ferrari crashes on the last lap – Mattia Casadei celebrates second victory
After the second race in Silverstone, Mattia Casadei also won the first MotoE round in Spielberg. The Pons rider was reserved the victory on a silver platter, as Matteo Ferrari (Gresini) crashed while leading half a lap before the chequered flag
From pole position, Kevin Zannoni (SIC58) initially took the lead ahead of Eric Granado (LCR) and Casadei. Randy Krummenacher (IntactGP) lost positions in the starting phase and only finished the first lap in twelfth place.
In the early stages, a group of four was able to pull away a little at the front. Zannoni lost the lead due to a small mistake. In lap three Casadei took the lead ahead of Ferrari, Granado and Zannoni. On lap four, Ferrari attacked and took the lead.
As a result, Ferrari was able to build up a small lead. This grew steadily to over six tenths of a second. Ferrari started the last lap with a lead of more than 0.7 seconds. But that was not yet the decision.
With only half a lap to go, Ferrari crashed in the infield at turn 7 and Casadei inherited his second consecutive MotoE victory on a silver platter. The race was exciting behind him.
A close duel raged between Granado and Zannoni until Granado finally prevailed on the last lap. When Ferrari crashed, the Brazilian inherited second place and Zannoni was third on the podium after all.
@FerrariMatteo11 CRASHES OUT IN THE VERY LAST LAP!
He had just extended his gap to 7 tenths ⏱️AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/Z2C3KI3Xjp
– MotoE™ (@MotoEofficial) August 19, 2023
Hector Garzo (IntactGP) finished fourth. Jordi Torres (Aspar) was fifth. If Ferrari had won, Ferrari would have taken the World Championship lead. But with this result, Torres extended his lead over Ferrari to 26 points.
The Swiss Krummenacher, who drove in Spielberg for the first time ever, saw the chequered flag in eleventh place.
The second race, also over seven laps, will start on Saturday afternoon at 4:10 p.m.
