The second 50-minute Fanatec GT2 European Series race the weekend proved a slightly calmer affair which ultimately led KTM to double class victory at the brand’s home circuit, with the honours shared between the #15 True Racing and RTR Projects entries at the Red Bull Ring.
With the field clean away in the Austrian sunshine on Saturday afternoon, it was another three-wide fight for the lead, this time between the pole sitting Audi of Pierre Kaffer and the #15 and #17 KTMs. The trio continued to run three abreast all the way round to turn three before Rosina managed to seize the advantage, pulling ahead of Reinhard Kofler with Kaffer third.
At ease on his home circuit, Rosina wasted no time in trying to edge a gap, but Kofler refused to let up the pressure and even managed to slash some of the KTM's advantage approaching the pitstop window.
Behind them, the battle for third was even closer between a trio of Audis – Kaffer managing to keep the #18 LP Racing car ahead of Stienes Longin’s PK Carsport machine and team stablemate Beltoise in a fight that ran right up to the mandatory stops.
With those complete, Nicolas Saelens passed Michael Doppelmayr, now in the #18 Audi, to take the KTM back into the lead. While Saelens made good his escape, Peter Guelinckx seized his chance to take Doppelmayr for second, and Hassid followed suit, in turn fixing the Pro-Am podium. Race one winners, Mauro and Benjamin Ricci finished off their Fanatec GT2 debut with fourth for the #61 Akkodis ASP Team Mercedes.
Things were far from decided behind them as Am-class leader continued to push to climb the order. Chasing down Hubert Trunkenpolz in the closing stages, Krabec had just enough time to take fifth overall. A brilliant result for RTR Projects after a turbo issue forced the team’s race one retirement.
Trunkenpolz brought the #16 KTM home a comfortable fifth in class, while Stephane Ratel completed the Pro-Am top six in the #88 LP Racing Audi.
Race one class winners, Sehdi Sarmini and Klaus Angerhofer finished a superb home event with second in the Am category. Jörg Viebahn and Mario Plachutta, meanwhile, completed their debut Fanatec GT2 weekend with another third-place podium finish for Haupt Racing.
The field of 2023 now take a two-week break before heading to Dijon, France, for the third round championship battles.