Team-mate Danny Webb was forced to abandon the race near the midpoint with severe pain in his right shoulder. The 20-year-old Brit had fractured the shoulder in a morning warm-up crash.
Schrötter made a strong recovery after falling from his 13th place grid spot to 20th at the end of the first lap. For the first few laps Schrötter made good progress, slicing his way through the field. Then the young German began struggling with numbness in his throttle hand from an earlier injury. Halfway in he’d matched his qualifying position, which he’d improve on by passing his final two riders three laps from the end of the 20-lap race.
By earning five points, the Mahindra Racing team took over third place in the Constructor championship.
Mufaddal Choonia Team Principal:
I’m very, very happy and very proud with the way Marcel raced today. Gaining two positions compared to what he started off with on the grid is really commendable at Mugello, which is one of the toughest circuits in the world. I feel bad for Danny that he couldn’t complete the race, but I salute the kid. He was brave enough to take to the circuit and I’m sure this will add to his confidence in the future. I’m also delighted at now being number three in the manufacturers ranking, having overtaken KTM. So it just shows we’re improving with every race.
Marcel Schrötter: 11th Position (five points)
In the beginning it was very, very hard because I lost some places at the start. Then I started to overtake and after the first lap I was 20th. The whole race was very difficult with my hand, which was then sleeping and it was very difficult for braking and for opening the throttle. And then I just tried to calm down, relax and fight for the last laps. Anyway I think it’s a good position. We again got good points and that’s our target for this season.
