Hitech celebrates Jerez Sprint victory
Round 6 – Jerez – Report
Hitech enjoyed a strong weekend at Jerez as Keanu Al Azhari returned to the top step of the podium, taking victory in the Sprint Race before following it up with fourth place in Race 2.
After finishing 10th in a disrupted opening Race 1, Keanu made an incredible comeback in the Sprint, converting a second-place start into victory before adding another strong fourth-place finish in the weekend’s final race.
Race 1
Keanu started Race 1 from 11th and immediately moved into 10th, where he would ultimately finish.
The race was disrupted from the opening lap, with Stefan Bostandjiev caught up in an incident involving Gino Trappa. Stefan was forced into the pits for repairs, while Trappa suffered a puncture and retired.
A Safety Car was deployed on Lap 4, while Stefan made another pit stop on Lap 3 after already going a lap down.
Panetta’s race ended on Lap 14, after which a second Safety Car period saw the race finish under a neutralisation.
Keanu brought the car home 10th, with Stefan classified 25th and Santino Panetta 26th.
Sprint Race
Keanu produced the standout drive of the weekend in the Sprint.
Starting from P2, he made a brilliant getaway to pass pole-sitter Popov and immediately take the lead.
The race was interrupted by a Safety Car before being red-flagged to allow repairs to the barriers. Racing resumed behind the Safety Car with 15 minutes remaining, with Keanu retaining the lead.
A late incident involving Gino brought out another Safety Car on the penultimate lap, but Keanu remained at the front to take the chequered flag and secure a superb Sprint Race victory.
Santino finished 15th and Stefan 25th, while Gino was forced to retire after going off on the penultimate lap.
Keanu Al Azhari:
“The weekend didn’t get off to the best start, but I’m so happy with the win for myself and the team. On a hot day like this, it wasn’t the easiest conditions for me or them, but they did a great job as always. It’s great to pick up the win and a positive result for the team.”
Race 2
Keanu carried his Sprint momentum into Race 2, lining up fifth on the grid alongside Santino Panetta in ninth, Gino in 13th and Stefan in 25th.
A chaotic opening lap brought out the Safety Car, with the field neutralised before racing resumed with around one-third of the race remaining.
Keanu immediately made his move after the restart, passing El Feghali to climb into fourth.
Panetta maintained his position to finish ninth, while Trappa produced an excellent recovery drive after contact dropped him from 13th to 21st. He fought back through the field to finish 16th.
Keanu held fourth to complete the weekend with another strong points finish.
Bruin Beasley, Hitech Eurocup-3 Team Manager:
“To come away with a Sprint Race victory with Keanu and then follow that up with fourth in Race 2 shows the pace we had across the weekend.”
“We can take a lot of positives from Jerez. There’s still plenty to fight for in the championship and we’ll be pushing hard at the Hungaroring and Barcelona.”
