Michael Shin (Motopark) takes maiden EFO win at his debut
12.05.2024
Michael Shin is the fourth different winner (in six races) in the 2024 Euroformula Open. The Korean driver of Motopark, in what was only his third race with the Dallara 320, mastered a perfect race, using the advantage of sitting in pole position in the reversed grid and controlling during the entire race the attacks of Francesco Simonazzi (BVM), who finished second with Levente Révész in third.
“This weekend was the first time I drove the car, which is very good”, explained Shin, “I managed a good start and could resist all attempts from Francesco. In the second half of the race, I had a little bit more breathing space. I enjoyed very much the Euroformula experience and hope to be back.”
Championship leader Brad Benavides (Motopark) could only finish fourth today, with the points gap between him and Simonazzi being now only 13 points (124 vs 109) in what looks like a very close duel as we head to Round 3 in Spa in two weeks.
THE RACE - Michael Shin is in pole in the reversed grid, with Francesco Simonazzi next to him. At the start, the Korean keeps the advantage, while Brad Benavides has a great launch from row 3 to take fourth behind Révész. The initial laps see great fight for first between Shin and Simonazzi and for third between Révész and Benavides.
Simonazzi ‘s attempts, mostly on the outside line at the first Motodrom corner do not pay off until lap 5 but Shin recovers the lead at the exit of the corner, while Fernando Barrichello spins and drops to 6th behind Jakob Bergmeister.
Benavides , on his side, manages to pass Révész in lap 11, but soon after the American is passed by both the Hungarian and Bergmeister. There won’t be any more changes until the flag, with Shin winning over Simonazzi and Révész.
