Zolder: Yelmer Buurman event summary

Buurman grabs Superleague Formula title lead

Yelmer Buurman (AC Milan) replaced Craig Dolby (Tottenham Hotspur) at the top of the Superleague by Sonangol standings as the season reached its half way stage at Zolder last weekend.

Starting seventh in race one, Buurman charged through the field to come home a fine fourth, one position clear of Dolby, after pulling off a fantastic move down the inside of the Englishman into the Villeneuve Chicane.

He was as equally impressive in the second 45-minute race, climbing from 14th on the fully reversed grid to finish fifth and score another 32 points. Dolby meanwhile failed to finish after being taken out at the start.

His two solid results meant the Dutchman qualified second for the five-lap Super Final contested by the weekend's top six points scorers. But excessive wheelspin at the start saw him drop to the tail of the field, although he did pull a position back after overtaking FC Basel's Max Wissel before the finish.

"I am incredibly pleased with first place in the standings," said Buurman. "During the first race I knew I had to catch Craig Dolby and that worked. Then when he couldn't finish the second race I was able to take the championship lead."

The next round at Brands Hatch (UK) on July 31/August 1 promises much with just eight points separating the pair. Asked about his expectations, Buurman replied: "I'm really looking forward to it. I know the circuit from my time in Formula 3 and think it's a good track, particularly through the fast corners."

Buurman now sits on 410 points, followed by Dolby with 402.

-source: gr8 industries