Sten-Dorian Piirimagi claims maiden TCR victory in Motorland’s Race 2
ALM Motorsport’s Sten-Dorian Piirimagi clinched his first victory in TCR in Sunday’s Race 2 at Motorland, host of the second round of the 2025 TCR Spain season.
Auto Club RC2 Vallés’ Víctor Fernández was stuck at the start, being narrowly avoided by the rest of the field, with Piirimagi taking the lead at Turn 1 after contact with Guillaume Savoldelli, followed by Honda pair Felipe Fernández and Michael Markussen.
The fights continued during the opening lap, with Rubén Fernández and Rubén Volt attacking Markussen. The Estonian climbed up to third place, but was under investigation for a jumped start, with Erik Zabala in fourth place.
Race 1 winner Mike Halder sat in fifth, followed by Jenson Brickley and Rubén Fernández, followed by Eric Gené, recovering from eleventh on the grid.
Zabala overtook Volt for third place on lap four, but both came side-by-side, with Zabala touching the dirt and losing to the Estonian and to Halder.
The safety car was called into action on lap four as Demir Eroge spun out of the race and was stuck on the gravel trap.
The race went green again on lap six, with Piirimagi remaining at the front with Felipe Fernández fancying his chances and attacking for the lead.
But the live action would be short lived as the safety car was called again as Sebastien Thome crashed out of the race, destroying the front of his car.
The race was relaunched again on lap ten and with just enough time left on the clock for two racing laps. Piirimagi led, ahead of Felipe Fernández and with Halder very close behind. The Estonian went wide at the chicane, with Fernández trying to overtake.
Halder didn’t hesitate to make the most of the situation, overtaking for second place, as Zabala was in fourth place followed by Volt.
Piirimagi won at the chequered flag, with Felipe Fernández in second place and Eric Gené in third. Volt was fourth, followed by Rubén Fernández and Halder, who received a time penalty.
Brickley finished seventh, ahead of Markussen and Zabala, also penalised, with Savoldelli completed the top ten.
“It’s a bit surprising to win in just my second race,” said Piirimagi after the race. “The conditions this weekend have been quite challenging, so this is an amazing feeling.”
After the second round of the TCR Spain at Motorland, Gené continues leading the championship with 142 points, with Halder 31 points behind, and Volt 35 points adrift.
The next round of the TCR Spain takes place at Valencia on the 13-15th of June, welcoming also the TCR World Tour.
