Adam delivers Monza masterclass with Blancpain victory

Fifer Jonny Adam delivered a sensational stint around the legendary Monza circuit to get his Blancpain GT Series off to a winning start.

The 32-year-old Aston Martin factory driver is tackling a packed 2017 programme which also features a World Endurance Championship campaign and his bid to land three-in-a-row British GT titles.

A 25,000-strong crowd which took in the opening Blancpain round at the famous Italian circuit was treated to a thriller, with 16 cars from the 52 starters involved in a crash on the charge to the first chicane at the opening of the three-hour race.

Adam’s team-mate Ahmad Al-Harthy successfully negotiated the carnage in the #97 Oman Racing Team TF Sport Aston Martin Vantage V12 GT3 and double-stinted before handing over to Adam some 12 seconds adrift of the leading Ferrari.

The Camberley-based Scot hunted down the Pro-Am class leader in a stunning drive which also brought the overall fastest lap of the race as Adam closed the gap and passed his rival with a couple of laps to go to take the win.

Adam said: “I was never really sure that I could take the lead to be honest.

“In the beginning of my stint I had to fight with some Pro cars, but we did a lot of work on this new car and it paid off. The Aston behaved perfectly.

“We have been waiting a long time for this win. I know how much work Ahmad does behind the scenes, to get the sponsors, to get Oman Racing here, so this one’s for him and the team.”

Adam’s focus switches back to British GT this weekend for the first two-hour race of the championship at Rockingham International Speedway.

Jonny Adam is off to a winning start.