Photo: STC2000

Julián Santero leads Toyota Gazoo Racing 1-2 in Buenos Aires

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Julián Santero won the Super TC2000 championship race in Buenos Aires ahead of Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Matías Rossi. Privateer Midas Racing’s Valentín Aguirre completed the podium.

Following Saturday’s qualifying race, Santero and Rossi started from the front row ahead of Chevrolet YPF driver Agustín Canapino and Matías Milla of Renault Sport.

Rossi made the better start as the lights went out and overtook Santero for the lead as Milla overtook Canapino for third.

But the lead was short lived for Rossi as Santero recovered the lead on lap three of 45.

The safety car came out on lap seven after TCR Europe entrant José Manuel Sapag spun off in his privately entered FDC Motorsport Citroën C4 Lounge and retired.

The restart saw Aguirre of privateer team Midas Racing moving up to fourth, making good progress from ninth on the grid. The privateer Toyota driver then chased down Canapino, making the pass for for third on lap 25.

Bernardo Llaver retired from ninth on lap 31 following an engine issue.

Facundo Ardusso had to pit due to a puncture on lap 38 and Leonel Pernía suffered the same fate not long after, underlining the high tyre wear of the “number 7” layout of the Bueno Aires circuit.

Santero secured 1-2 for Toyota Gazoo Racing with Rossi and privateer driver Aguirre made it three Toyotas in the top three, also scoring Midas Racing’s first podium in the series.

Canapino and Milla completed the top five ahead of Honda driver Nicolás Moscardini and Toyota driver Rubens Barrichello, who won the previous race.

Rossi leads the championship on 117 points while Canapino is second on 96 and Santero is third on 72.

The next Super TC2000 round will be held Rio Cuarto on January 9-10.