Tom Lüthi (CarXpert Interwetten) went into the San Marino GP 29 points off Championship leader Franco Morbidelli (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), but after the Italian crashed out of the lead in difficult wet conditions, a huge opportunity appeared for his Swiss rival. Lüthi made the most of it, challenging and shadowing race winner Dominique Aegerter (Kiefer Racing) throughout – and then concentrating on a solid finish as he considered the potential gain in the Championship. The 1-2 was also a first for Switzerland.
Now it’s 9 points between the two men at the top of the standings heading into Aragon, but Lüthi says his tactics haven’t changed – he’ll stay focused on himself and try to put pressure on the number 21 just ahead of him.
Tom Lüthi, P2: “These conditions were difficult and it changed a lot throughout the weekend. Sunday was wet and tricky to ride. In Warm Up, I tried to find some good pace and crashed, unfortunately! That wasn’t good preparation for the feeling in the race, so in the beginning I was struggliing a bit in the race and I saw Franco was pushing a lot and had good pace. I thought ‘wow’, and I knew it could be a big day for the Championship. Then I saw him in the gravel and I had the Championship in my mind. I was able to catch Domi but he was so strong on the brakes and I couldn’t risk an overtake. It was quite difficult but in the end I was playing safe and patient, thinking about the Championship but it’s a really good day with second place. I was there with the leaders but it’s about how much you risk and the points you take home. I tried to overtake and make a gap but on the last two laps I had to think about the title. Today we got twenty points closer to him but tactically, nothing has changed. We have to stay focused on us, try and put pressure on him, and keep working.”