Ary Bansal secured his first E4 Championship victory in Race 2 at Monza on Sunday, leading a US Racing one-two-three finish alongside Luka Sammalisto and Iacopo Martinese. The Indian driver benefited from a late incident that ended the races of pole-sitter Augustus Toniolo and title contender Kenzo Craigie. Sammalisto finished second to recover points, while Martinese took third and won the Rookie classification. The championship remains undecided, with Craigie holding an eight-point lead over Sammalisto before the final race.

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Bansal leads US Racing podium sweep

Toniolo started from pole for Trident Motorsport and resisted Bansal’s challenges through a race interrupted by several Safety Car periods. Low temperatures reduced grip, and restarts left little time to warm tyres. Toniolo defended his position until the closing stages, when Craigie attempted to challenge for the win.

Craigie was hit from behind by Noah Killion and sent into Toniolo. Both drivers retired, changing the order at the front and handing US Racing control of the podium. Killion received a 25-second penalty, dropping him from fifth in the finishing order.

Craigie and Sammalisto set for title decider

Craigie’s retirement means the title will be decided in Race 3. The R-ace GP driver carries an eight-point advantage into the finale, but Sammalisto’s second place has kept his challenge alive. The Finnish driver said the result recovered valuable points and that he would fight for the title, despite starting further back in the last race.

Andy Consani, an R-ace GP driver and Mercedes junior, finished fourth. He will start Race 3 from pole position. Filippo Sala of Prema Racing was promoted to fifth after Killion’s penalty, moving up to second in the Rookie standings. Van Amersfoort Racing’s Alex Ruta finished sixth, ahead of team-mate Thomas Bearman. Oscar Repetto of PHM Racing was eighth and third among the rookies.

More points and class honours at Monza

Simon Rechenmacher of CRAM Motorsport placed ninth, followed by Prema Racing’s Christian Costoya, part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme. R-ace GP twins Jean-Paul and Philippe-Armand Karras finished next. Dean Pedersen, Lyuboslav Ruykov and Roman Kamyab completed the points-paying positions.

Vicky Farfus of Prema Racing won the women’s classification, ahead of Ginevra Panzeri of PA Racing. R-ace GP’s Payton Westcott retired. Bansal said the cold, slippery surface and Safety Cars made it difficult to keep tyre temperatures up. He said drivers had to use the limited green-flag laps carefully and avoid excessive risks. Martinese said his pace allowed him to overtake despite starting further back.

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Race 3 will decide the E4 title

Monza’s low temperatures and grip shaped Race 2, which opened Sunday’s ACI Racing Weekend schedule. The classification remains provisional pending technical and sporting checks by the stewards. Race 3 is scheduled for 1:40 pm local time and will run for 30 minutes plus one lap. The final contest will decide whether Craigie secures the title or Sammalisto overturns the deficit. The race will be broadcast through the championship’s official channels and its international broadcast partners.

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Neha is the Co-Director & Editor at sportselite.in, drawn to the stories that give Sports their energy beyond the scoreboard. She brings clarity, context, and a human perspective to coverage across Elite Sports, from standout performances to shifting team dynamics and memorable contests. At sportselite.in, Neha helps turn complex sporting developments into engaging stories, keeping readers connected to the people and moments behind the action.

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