One win, one second place. Plus two bonus points for the fastest qualifying laps. The Mičánek Motorsport powered by Buggyra team leaves the second round of the GT2 European Series in Zandvoort, the Netherlands, with the biggest points haul and the reputation of being the weekend’s most successful outfit. All that despite the race direction’s last-minute decision that played into their rivals’ hands.
„Looking at the results, we’re satisfied. We’re bringing home 45 points and have strengthened our lead in the championship. Broněk and Štofi did a great job, as did the entire team. We had no incidents, and the car came back in one piece,” said team manager Jiří Mičánek Jr., summing up the weekend in Zandvoort. “We’re continuing our work with one clear goal to win the title. So far, we’re on the right track.” With 96 points, Mičánek Motorsport powered by Buggyra comfortably leads the overall standings of the series.
Bronislav Formánek and Štefan Rosina dominated their respective qualifying sessions on Saturday morning, establishing themselves as clear favourites for the race. However, in the two-hour gap between qualifying and the start, the race direction issued a surprise decision that gave rival manufacturers Maserati and KTM an advantage by reducing their BoP by thirty kilograms. “It was something that really took us by surprise. Making such a change so shortly before the race isn’t standard practice – and from our point of view, it wasn’t fair either,” commented Jiří Mičánek on the unusual decision by the race officials.
Despite the added handicap, Formánek and Rosina still claimed victory in the Pro-AM class – though Štefan Rosina had to fight hard right to the finish line against the LP Racing Maserati MC20, which was competing in the AM category. “During Broněk’s stint it was clear that the BoP adjustment had put Lamborghini at a serious disadvantage. Štefan then put in a superb chase and made up a ten-second deficit during his stint,” said Jiří Mičánek.
In the second race, Štefan Rosina led his entire stint, but by the time he pitted for the driver change, his advantage over the Dinamic Motorsport Maserati had narrowed to just a few seconds. Bronislav Formánek then spent most of his run fending off relentless attacks from Roberto Pampanini, who was making full use of the lower BoP advantage.
The decisive moment came just a few minutes before the end of the race. “Unfortunately, I was slowed down on the way out by a car that we were catching up with. There was nothing I could do – I lost a bit of speed, and that allowed Pampanini to get past me,” explained Formánek. “Our main rival right now is clearly Maserati, and if the regulations continue to favour them, it’ll be tough to stay ahead, even though we’ve got the pace. In situations like that, the only way to make up for it is by taking risks.”
Štefan Rosina was even more outspoken, angered by the decision to alter the BoP between qualifying and the races. “I’m happy with Broněk’s performance and the team’s effort, but I’m not happy with the BoP politics. If this continues, we’ll have to reconsider our participation in the championship,” said the Slovak driver firmly. Rosina and Formánek are the reigning European champions of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe series.
„While we’re a bit disappointed not to have secured a double win, it does give us a better starting position for the next race at Spa,” Jiří Mičánek reminded, referring to the rule that penalises race winners with a longer pit stop in the following event. “Our focus now is firmly on the championship and achieving the best possible position in the fight for the European title. What’s crucial for us is to stay consistent, finish the races, and avoid taking unnecessary risks,” concluded the team principal.
