Mattia Michelotto claimed a hard-fought victory in Race 2 of the GT Winter Series at Circuito do Estoril aboard the #66 VSR Lamborghini Huracán GT3, mastering tricky damp conditions to secure his first win in the championship.

Damp start

Despite a slippery but drying track, the majority of the field opted to start on slick tyres. Early on, Jonas Karklys in the #19 Liqui Moly Team Engstler Lamborghini Huracán GT3 and the #67 Orange Racing by JMH McLaren 720S GT3 pilot Marcus Clutton were engaged in a close fight for third place with Clutton making the decisive pass around the outside of the Lamborghini at the long Parabolica. The battle was cut short when Karklys lost control on his own while exiting Turn 1 on the damp surface and crashed out.

Michelotto withstands pressure at the front

At the front, Michelotto quickly settled into a controlled rhythm, with Jay Mo Härtling shadowing him throughout the 30-minute contest in the #11 SR Motorsport by Schnitzelalm Mercedes-AMG GT3. The pair remained locked together for most of the race, separated by less than a second.

Michelotto’s only real moment of concern came late on when he was briefly delayed while lapping traffic. Härtling closed in, but crucially could not find a way past before the chequered flag, with Michelotto holding on to win by just over six-tenths of a second.

“I’m very happy for this race, it’s my first victory in the GT Winter Series,” Michelotto told GT REPORT. “The conditions were difficult at the start, but that was it. Our car is very fast, thank you VSR!”

Class victories for Hirsiger and Kikireshko

In the Cup 1 category, Race 1 winner Felix Hirsiger delivered a clean and measured drive to take class honours. At the wheel of the #155 Ferrari for Liqui Moly Team Engstler, Hirsiger stayed out of trouble on the slippery surface and converted consistency into a deserved class victory.

Cup 2 provided one of the race’s most engaging duels. Oleksii Kikireshko emerged on top after a spirited fight with Igor Klaya in the #07 PTT Racing Team Porsche 992 GT3 Cup. Driving the #88 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup for PTSports by Up2Race, Kikireshko kept his nerve to seal the class win after sustained pressure.

Petar Matic claimed Cup 4 victory. The #32 Auto Sport Racing Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo finished well ahead of its class competitors.

Longer finale still to come

The final Race 3 of the GT Winter Series will be held later today, providing a longer 60-minute challenge with pit stops and driver changes.

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