After a tough qualifying session and an impressive charge through the field, Igor Walilko came from 13th on the grid to finish sixth, scoring important points in the first race of his second season in the Euroformula Open series and his debut in the British Fortec Motorsports squad.

Having decided to change teams just a week before the opening round, the 18-year-old from Zielona Gora approached the weekend at Estoril almost like a test session. After focusing on race setup and saving tyres during the Saturday morning qualifying session Walilko managed to secure a 13th place on the grid for the opening race.

Right from the start the young Pole made his way forward, straight away moving inside the top 10 before progression in an rapid fashion all the way through sixth, just a second from fifth. His impressive debut in the white-and-red livery of the Fortec Motorsports team saw Walilko scoring eight crucial Championship points.

The second Euroformula Open race at Estoril will take place tomorrow, on Sunday, at 1:15 CET and will last 19 laps.

Photo credit: FOTOSPEEDY