Estoril (Portugal), April 23, 2016.- A great performance, regular and high-level, has allowed the Spanish tandem composed of Fernando Monje and the Colombian Gustavo Yacamán, alternating at the wheel of the new BMW M6 GT3 BMW Team Team Teo Martin, ended in the second absolute position of the first race of the season of the International GT Open, which took place today at the Estoril circuit. Teo Martin's team, champions of this series, has achieved thus his first podium of the season, while the second unit M6, piloted by Miguel Ramos-Roldan Rodriguez, has completed the race in seventh place.

Fernando Monje, chic & basic pilot, arrived in Estoril ebullient after the test developed earlier in this Portuguese track. Already in the two free practice sessions, the former champion European Touring Car showed his great form scoring excellent times, which along with the performance of other drivers of BMW Team Teo Martin allowed demonstrate the great joint competitiveness of the two BMW M6 GT3, with very similar lap times of the two crews.

Saturday, qualifying has made Fernando Monje and after a few laps magnificent achieved the third fastest time, just one tenth of second fastest time. Monk gave 9 laps and was in the penultimate of them in which he achieved his fastest lap.

Starting from the second row of the grid, Fernando went well on the first lap but was overtaken by Duncan Tappy (McLaren), evolving some laps in fourth. The strong fight in the leading trio allowed Monk contacted with the group, although the gradual increase in the pace of it back to Fernando relegated to fourth. Monk came into the pits for driver change in 4th position.

After a good pit strategy and a new tire mounted, Gustavo Yacamán hit the track starting the recovery. In its long half-hour pilot, the Colombian showed off an optimal level, recovering ground and ending the race in an extraordinary 2nd absolute position after an unattainable Shaun Balfe, thereby achieving the first major podium team of the season.

Get out from a position of very advanced grill, make both drivers an exempt fault driving, the strength of the mechanics and team effectiveness has allowed savor the first big hit of 2016. Fernando Monje: 'We have worked hard and yet we do more, especially on the set up, but this podium is a great result for the whole team. We have a new car, the BMW M6, but with an extraordinary basis for improvement that brings BMW technicians who will help us achieve. It is also very important that we form a very regular Gustavo tandem podium am convinced that this is the beginning of a great season.'

Second race Sunday morning with the corresponding prequalification, between 9:10 and 9: 40h, this time with the Colombian Gustavo Yacamán the wheel. The race, 60 'will start at 14:15', according to the Spanish schedule.

Race 1 classification Estoril-International GT Open
1-Shaun Balfe-Phil Keen (Ferrari 458 Italia GT3)
2-Fernando Monje-Gustavo Yacamán (BMW M6 GT3)
3-Alexander West-Kevin Estre (S 650 GT3 McLaren)
4-Thomas Biagi Fabrizio Crestani-(Lamborghini Huracan GT3)
5-Thomas Flohr-Francesco Castellacci (Ferrari 488 GT3)
6-Michael Benham-Duncan Tappy (S 650 GT3 McLaren)
7-Miguel Ramos-Roldan Rodriguez (BMW M6 GT3)
8-Antonio Coimbra-Luis Silva (Mercedes AMG GT3)
Etc.

For more information Fernando Monje:
www.fernandomonje.com
https://www.facebook.com/ferranmonje
https://twitter.com/fernando_monje