Canadian race car driver Robert Wickens stands second in the provisional standings of the Formula Renault 3.5 series after the two opening rounds held in Alcaniz, Spain.
Championship favourite Daniel Ricciardo did not compete in these two races as he was in China as the third driver of the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team. For Wickens, it was a golden opportunity to score as many points as possible.
Moreover, Wickens’ team mate Jean-Eric Vergne was also out of the first practice day on Friday, as he had to be at the Red Bull’s factory in England to work on the simulator in order to help the F1 team.
Wickens clinched pole position in the first qualifying session. But the Carlin driver dropped back to fourth at the first corner, then managed to take second at the checkered flag behind US driver Alexander Rossi.
Robert Wickens then set the 7th best performance in second qualifying, after a series of yellow flags ruined his flying runs.
In race 2, he managed to move up to 5th, but that would have been better if he had not lost precious seconds in the pits. Eighteen-year-old Kevin Korjus, from Estoni, took the win ahead of Rossi, who took provisional championship lead ahead of Wickens.
« My goal coming into this weekend was to leave as championship leader so I’m a little disappointed not to have achieved that,” said Wickens.
“Second isn’t too bad though, we’re coming away with a decent points haul. It was good to get the pole on Saturday. I obviously expected to translate that into a win but lost out at the first corner. Sunday’s issues were unforeseen but for my first time competing at this track, I’m satisfied with a pair of top five and I can’t wait to head to Spa next, a track I know very well and enjoy racing at! »
Race 1:
1 - Alexander Rossi - Fortec - 25 laps in 46'29"465
2 - Robert Wickens - Carlin + 8"521
3 - Nelson Panciatici - KMP + 9"647
4 - Albert Costa - Epic + 15"130
5 - Daniil Move - P1 + 26"564
Etc.
Race 2:
1 - Kevin Korjus - Tech 1 - 26 laps in 46'11"799
2 - Alexander Rossi - Fortec + 1"735
3 - Albert Costa - Epic + 8"154
4 - Cesar Ramos - Fortec + 8"777
5 - Robert Wickens - Carlin + 9"679
Etc.
Point standings:
1.Rossi 43 points ; 2.Wickens 28 ; 3.Costa 27 ; 4.Korjus 25 ; 5.Panciatici 15, etc.
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| Photo: Renault Sport |
Championship favourite Daniel Ricciardo did not compete in these two races as he was in China as the third driver of the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team. For Wickens, it was a golden opportunity to score as many points as possible.
Moreover, Wickens’ team mate Jean-Eric Vergne was also out of the first practice day on Friday, as he had to be at the Red Bull’s factory in England to work on the simulator in order to help the F1 team.
Wickens clinched pole position in the first qualifying session. But the Carlin driver dropped back to fourth at the first corner, then managed to take second at the checkered flag behind US driver Alexander Rossi.
Robert Wickens then set the 7th best performance in second qualifying, after a series of yellow flags ruined his flying runs.
In race 2, he managed to move up to 5th, but that would have been better if he had not lost precious seconds in the pits. Eighteen-year-old Kevin Korjus, from Estoni, took the win ahead of Rossi, who took provisional championship lead ahead of Wickens.
« My goal coming into this weekend was to leave as championship leader so I’m a little disappointed not to have achieved that,” said Wickens.
“Second isn’t too bad though, we’re coming away with a decent points haul. It was good to get the pole on Saturday. I obviously expected to translate that into a win but lost out at the first corner. Sunday’s issues were unforeseen but for my first time competing at this track, I’m satisfied with a pair of top five and I can’t wait to head to Spa next, a track I know very well and enjoy racing at! »
 |
| Photo: Renault Sport |
Race 1:
1 - Alexander Rossi - Fortec - 25 laps in 46'29"465
2 - Robert Wickens - Carlin + 8"521
3 - Nelson Panciatici - KMP + 9"647
4 - Albert Costa - Epic + 15"130
5 - Daniil Move - P1 + 26"564
Etc.
Race 2:
1 - Kevin Korjus - Tech 1 - 26 laps in 46'11"799
2 - Alexander Rossi - Fortec + 1"735
3 - Albert Costa - Epic + 8"154
4 - Cesar Ramos - Fortec + 8"777
5 - Robert Wickens - Carlin + 9"679
Etc.
Point standings:
1.Rossi 43 points ; 2.Wickens 28 ; 3.Costa 27 ; 4.Korjus 25 ; 5.Panciatici 15, etc.