Club Challenge: Monti takes victory for deceased friend
Federico Monti beat Andreas Kuchelbacher and Gordon Barnes in the Club Challenge at the Autodrom Most – He dedicated the victory to his late friend
As is well known, life writes the most emotional stories. Motorsport is no exception, as has been shown so many times. In 2019, for example, Charles Leclerc won the Belgian Grand Prix just one day after the tragic death of his friend Antoine Hubert. He dedicated the victory to the Frenchman. In the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series (NWES) Club Challenge at Autodrom Most, in turn, Federico Monti of Academy / Alex Caffi Motorsport won for a friend who passed away in the summer.
After the three sessions, the Italian was the most consistent driver in the regularity test, beating the two Marko-Stipp Motorsport drivers Andreas Kuchelbacher and Gordon Barnes.
“We wanted to get this win,” Monti says afterwards. “The team is working so hard and we had an awesome day here in Most. I dedicate this win to one of my best friends, who passed away this summer. We really wanted to get this victory for him”
In the end, Monti collected just one more point than Kuchelbacher, who led the way in the first round. Barnes – despite problems with the fuel pump – was just two points short of the winning Italian. Neo Lambert also struggled with his car and collected 66 points. Julian Vanheelen from Austria finished ahead of the French. Barnes continues to lead the overall standings ahead of Monti and Lambert.
However, the Frenchman will have the chance to make up ground in the Club Challenge on October 7 at the Zolder circuit. In any case, nothing has been decided yet, because the season finale at the Autodrom Grobnik on October 28 will award double points.
