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2nd
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Sebastien Loeb and Alvaro Parente (McLaren) took victory in the qualifying race the opening round of the FIA GT Series in Nogaro. Howver, the pair was penalized twice during the main race, won by Stippler and Sandström (Audi).
Loeb, who run under the colors of his own team made impressive debuts in the GT series alongside his co-driver, Alvaro Parente.
After taking third position in qualifying, the pair won the qualifying race after Loeb overtook the Audi R8 LMS WRT driven by Niki Mayr-Melnof, with four laps remaining.
On Monday, Loeb started the main race from pole position, but was quickly under pressure from Mayr-Melnof, who was aiming for revenge.
After the pit stops, the Audi was back in first position, with René Rast taking the lead ahead of Alvaro Parente's McLaren. But the Portuguese driver lost his brakes and hit the Audi, which spun, and the McLaren inherited the lead.
New race leader Alvaro Parente was penalized with a drive through becaue the race officials found that Loeb had undone his seat belts before the car came to a complete stop.
The McLaren rejoined the race in 6th, with Rast in the lead. The German driver crossed the line in first position, but the Audi was penalized for having cut the engine during its own pit stop. The incident gave victory to sister car driven by Frank Stippler and Edward Sandström.
Fifth at the finish line, Loeb and Parente received another penalty for the incident with Rast, which put them down in 13th position.
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| W Racing Team. (Photo: FIA GT Series) |
Loeb, who run under the colors of his own team made impressive debuts in the GT series alongside his co-driver, Alvaro Parente.
After taking third position in qualifying, the pair won the qualifying race after Loeb overtook the Audi R8 LMS WRT driven by Niki Mayr-Melnof, with four laps remaining.
On Monday, Loeb started the main race from pole position, but was quickly under pressure from Mayr-Melnof, who was aiming for revenge.
After the pit stops, the Audi was back in first position, with René Rast taking the lead ahead of Alvaro Parente's McLaren. But the Portuguese driver lost his brakes and hit the Audi, which spun, and the McLaren inherited the lead.
 |
| Sebastien Loeb Racing. (Photo: FIA GT Series) |
New race leader Alvaro Parente was penalized with a drive through becaue the race officials found that Loeb had undone his seat belts before the car came to a complete stop.
The McLaren rejoined the race in 6th, with Rast in the lead. The German driver crossed the line in first position, but the Audi was penalized for having cut the engine during its own pit stop. The incident gave victory to sister car driven by Frank Stippler and Edward Sandström.
Fifth at the finish line, Loeb and Parente received another penalty for the incident with Rast, which put them down in 13th position.