Comini: Victory as guest driver in R8 Cup 🎥

HE CAN STILL DO IT It was a last-minute call, but Stefano Comini gladly agreed to contest the two Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup races at Misano. He won one, while Ruedi Rhyn finished third twice. In 2019, Stefano Comini has no racing program for the first time in 22 years. Instead, the two-time TCR International Champion is concentrating on tasks [...]

Editorial - June 12, 2019

Stefano Comini set the pace at Misano. Although the field consisted of only twelve Audi R8 GT4 cars, they fought for every position.

For the first time in 22 years, Stefano Comini will not be racing in 2019. Instead, the two-time TCR International Champion is concentrating on tasks behind the scenes of motorsport, for example as a driver coach. Of course, the Ticino native did not turn down the short-term offer to drive one of the two GT4 guest cars in the Audi Sport Seyffarth R8 LMS Cup as part of the DTM at Misano.

Stefano Comini: "At the first moment I felt like I did back in karting: I'm racing for pure fun. With all the business aspects in current motorsport, that's a great feeling. Having not raced a rear-wheel drive car for seven years, I had no idea where I'd place myself in this field."

After free practice and qualifying, he knew it - namely right at the front.

First at the bottom, then at the top
However, Comini's first race ended in the gravel after a puncture, but he then showed his class in the second. The second guest driver Leonard Hoogenboom (NL), who otherwise drives LMP2 sports cars in the European Le Mans Series and had won the previous day, put him under pressure but briefly went off the tarmac and had to end the chase of the Swiss.

Stefano Comini: "It was not an easy race. Leonard was fast and didn't let me pull away. Only when he made a mistake did my lead grow. I tried to conserve my tires and drive consistent laps. I think this race series is really good. The car is great and the drivers exchange data with each other. That's great for young racers because they can learn a lot and develop further."

Podium after the second race (from left): Leonard Hoogenboom (2nd), winner Stefano Comini and Ruedi Rhyn (3rd) and Tim Reiter (4th) as third best junior.

Three Swiss victories in four races
After Rahel Frey had won both races at Hockenheim as a guest driver, three of the four races so far ended with Swiss victories.

Ruedi Rhyn also had reason to celebrate. The man from Berne finished third in both races and was thus allowed onto the podium for the first time. Of the regular drivers, he collected the most points in Misano. In the standings, Rhyn is in fourth place.

The second race can be seen at the following link.