Photo: FIA Motorsport Games

FIA Motorsport Games winner Marco Butti: “We had super pace”

By

GOAT Racing driver Marco Butti (Honda) recovered from a difficult day on Saturday to win the main race of the FIA Motorsport Games, claiming the gold medal for Italy.

“What can I say! Yesterday I was talking to my friend until late at night and I said to them that if today the victory came it would be great but it was tough,” said Butti to TouringCarTimes

The Italian received multiple warnings due to track limits during qualifying and was handed a black flag in the qualifying race, resulting in the 19-year-old starting the main race from ninth on the grid.

Light rain started just before the race and the Italian made the most of the opportunity, quickly closing the gap to Ignacio Montenegro and overtook for the race lead with six laps to go.

“The fight with Montenegro was a close and strong one, but this is touring car. He’s my friend, well, maybe today not so much, but today I was fast,” said Butti.

“The dancing of the rain came and helped me, we had super pace, the car was amazing and I want to thank all my partners, my sponsors, Rubén Fernández the CEO of RC2 Racing and JAS Motorsport for their work. Also thanks to Pepe Oriola for his support.”

GOAT Racing’s manager, former WTCC and WTCR race winner Pepe Oriola, praised his driver.

“We are very happy with Marco, he had a very difficult weekend as they took the pole position from him because of track limits, and yesterday he got a black flag, so I’m happy of how he turned around the situation and showed a good pace, proper of a world-class driver for GOAT Racing,” said Oriola.

“I’m also very happy for Montenegro, for RC2 Motorsport a second place and a first place for GOAT Racing, is a great result, so very happy with my boys.”

Montenegro was a disappointed second but still praised his opponent, despite the contact between the two.

“The race was good, Marco won, he had a good pace,” Montenegro told TouringCarTimes.

“I’m a bit affected, it’s not the most important race, but this is it, the important thing is to learn and come back stronger next time.”