EU 2000: Oschersleben race one notes

Speed on top of the world

Scott Speed made it seven race wins on Saturday morning, as the 2004 champion drove to a comfortable lights-to-flag victory in the last round of the season, ahead of Meijer and Fleming. Disappointment for Kochem, though, as wheel trouble forced him to retire on lap 8.

"It was a trouble-free race," said a relaxed Speed later after climbing out of his car, "I didn't have any problems, so it was made quite easy for me."

Indeed, out on the track it was soon clear that this was to be a one horse race, as the young American glided through the first five laps, notching up faster and faster times. And as he ran off into the distance, it was left to Meijer and especially Fleming, Kofler and Pagenaud to battle it out for championship podium honours.

There were few upsets in this penultimate race of the season, as Speed led comfortably and only Meijer and Fleming attempting to catch him. Kochem fell victim to wheel trouble, putting paid once and for all to any hopes the young German had of a place on the final rostrum.

Behind them Pilet led the chase after his tremendous start, with Claray and Grosjean in his mirrors. Further back Pagenaud was overtaken by Saarinen, only to find a second wind and move back in front of the Finn.

The battle was raging hardest in the middle of the pack and the number of victims increasing, as Fechner, Baibodorov, Maldonado and Mailleux all ended their races in a spin.

Further - much further - ahead, it was Speed from Meijer and Fleming all the way to the chequered flag. This moves Fleming up to third in the championship standings, with Kofler and Kochem now 12 and 20 points behind him respectively. France's Pagenaud keeps his overall second place, 20 points ahead of Fleming. But out front it's Speed, the untouchable champion still the man to beat.

<pre> Race 1 Classification

     Pilotes              Equipe                  Temps
 1   Scott Speed          Motopark Oschersleben   25'31"682
 2   Paul Meijer          Ar Motorsport           +0'06"058
 3   Colin Fleming        Jenzer Motorsport       +0'08"948
 4   Yann Clairay         SG Formula              +0'17"350
 5   Romain Grojean       SG Formula              +0'18"744
 6   Simon Pagenaud       Graff Racing            +0'19"130
 7   Patrick Pilet        Graff Racing            +0'19"714
 8   Reinhard Kofler      JD Motorsport           +0'21"659
 9   Pekka Saarinen       Sl Formula Racing       +0'22"965
 10  Julien Canal         Graff Racing            +0'23"475
 11  Michael Aleshin      Lukoil Racing Team      +0'23"875
 12  Michael Ammermuller  Jenzer Motorsport       +0'29"485

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