Canadian driver Robert Wickens moved up to championship lead, thanks to a great win on Saturday, and a second place finish in race 2 on Sunday in the Formula Renault 3.5 series at Spa Francorchamps.
Wickens stood in second place in the point standings before Spa, behind Alexander Rossi from USA. The Canadian driver clinched his second pole position of the season in qualifying 1. His Carlin’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne secured best performance in qualifying 2, with Wickens second.
Wickens was able to stay in first place at the start in race 1, and controlled the race to win his first race of the season, his second one in the series, just ahead of Vergne. Both men switched positions in race 2, as Vergne took win ahead of Wickens.
Daniel Ricciardo was the main favorite before the beginning of the season, but the Australian driver was already forced to miss the first rounds in Alcaniz , due to his Formula 1 duties as a third driver for team Toro Rosso in China. In Spa, Ricciardo could only secure 10th and 9th positions.
In the standings, Wickens stands now in front ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne while Rossi, who took 7th position in race 1 and was forced to retire in race 2, dropped back in third position overall. Next rounds will be presented in Monza in May 14th and 15th.
"Well I’d have liked two wins from the weekend but I’m naturally happy to have taken the points lead here in Belgium," stated Robert Wickens.
"We’re in a good championship position although it’s still early in the season. That said, I like to lead from the front so we have to keep the momentum on our side and build on what’s been a great weekend at Spa. Yesterday’s result was obviously fantastic! I thought things were looking good today also but I might have pushed too hard as my tires seemed to go off quickly and I lost rear grip. Second is fine, I’ll take the points."
Spa – Race 1 :
1 - Robert Wickens - Carlin - 22 laps in 46'34"016
2 - Jean Eric Vergne - Carlin - 2"694
3 - Albert Costa - Epic - 19"544
4 - Brendon Hartley - Charouz Gravity - 19"867
5 - Nelson Panciatici - KMP - 20"958
Etc.
Spa – Race 2:
1 - Jean Eric Vergne - Carlin - 22 laps in 46'56"662
2 - Robert Wickens - Carlin - 1"468
3 - Chris Van der Drift - Mofaz - 2"173
4 - Daniel Zampieri - BVM Target - 7"153
5 - Albert Costa - Epic - 8"434
Etc.
Championship:
1. Wickens 71; 2. Vergne 57; 3. Rossi 55; 4. Costa 52; 5. Panciatici 26, etc.
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| Robert Wickens (Photo: Carlin) |
Wickens stood in second place in the point standings before Spa, behind Alexander Rossi from USA. The Canadian driver clinched his second pole position of the season in qualifying 1. His Carlin’s teammate Jean-Eric Vergne secured best performance in qualifying 2, with Wickens second.
Wickens was able to stay in first place at the start in race 1, and controlled the race to win his first race of the season, his second one in the series, just ahead of Vergne. Both men switched positions in race 2, as Vergne took win ahead of Wickens.
Daniel Ricciardo was the main favorite before the beginning of the season, but the Australian driver was already forced to miss the first rounds in Alcaniz , due to his Formula 1 duties as a third driver for team Toro Rosso in China. In Spa, Ricciardo could only secure 10th and 9th positions.
In the standings, Wickens stands now in front ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne while Rossi, who took 7th position in race 1 and was forced to retire in race 2, dropped back in third position overall. Next rounds will be presented in Monza in May 14th and 15th.
"Well I’d have liked two wins from the weekend but I’m naturally happy to have taken the points lead here in Belgium," stated Robert Wickens.
"We’re in a good championship position although it’s still early in the season. That said, I like to lead from the front so we have to keep the momentum on our side and build on what’s been a great weekend at Spa. Yesterday’s result was obviously fantastic! I thought things were looking good today also but I might have pushed too hard as my tires seemed to go off quickly and I lost rear grip. Second is fine, I’ll take the points."
Spa – Race 1 :
1 - Robert Wickens - Carlin - 22 laps in 46'34"016
2 - Jean Eric Vergne - Carlin - 2"694
3 - Albert Costa - Epic - 19"544
4 - Brendon Hartley - Charouz Gravity - 19"867
5 - Nelson Panciatici - KMP - 20"958
Etc.
Spa – Race 2:
1 - Jean Eric Vergne - Carlin - 22 laps in 46'56"662
2 - Robert Wickens - Carlin - 1"468
3 - Chris Van der Drift - Mofaz - 2"173
4 - Daniel Zampieri - BVM Target - 7"153
5 - Albert Costa - Epic - 8"434
Etc.
Championship:
1. Wickens 71; 2. Vergne 57; 3. Rossi 55; 4. Costa 52; 5. Panciatici 26, etc.