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| July 05, 2012 |
| Renault 3.5: First Victory of the Season for Tech 1 Racing |
 | Jules Bianchi captured his inaugural Formula Renault 3.5 Series win in race one of the Nurburgring doubleheader
(Photo: Renault) |
GERMANY (July 4, 2012) - On Saturday at the Nürburgring Jules Bianchi took the chequered flag in first place in race one of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series giving Tech 1 Racing its maiden victory in the 2012 championship. The third Sahara Force India driver, member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, relaunched his hopes in the title chase even if he failed to score points on Sunday. Kevin Korjus, on the other hand, had a much more difficult weekend.
Tech 1 Racing has just missed out on victory on several occasions this season with two second places by Jules Bianchi in Monaco and at Spa-Francorchamps. On Saturday (June 30) it all came good at the Nürburgring and the young Frenchman broke his duck.
However, the weekend got off to a difficult start for the Tech 1 Racing team as Bianchi, and especially Kevin Korjus, ran into a raft of technical glitches in the collective practice sessions.
“We had problems with the compressor and the gearbox actuator like other teams during the weekend” explained Simon Abadie, the Tech 1 Racing team manager. “Kevin’s car was the most heavily hit and he was unable to take part in the collective session in the dry. The upshot was that he spent the whole weekend trying to make up lost time. If he hadn’t been hit by another car on Sunday he’d have scored a good result.”
Bianchi demonstrated the competitiveness of the Tech 1 Racing package in the first qualifying session by setting a stunning pole position some four-tenths-of-a second quicker than the second-placed driver. In the race he made a perfect start and left his rivals trailing in his wake. He crossed the finishing line with ten seconds in hand over his closest pursuer.
“Jules put on a perfect demonstration,” smiled Abadie. “Pole position, fastest lap in the race and victory: he made a big impression. This win is a reward for everybody for all their work since the start of the season. We’ve been quick at all the circuits. All we needed was a little patience to turn our speed into a success. This victory relaunches his hopes in the drivers’ championship and Tech 1 Racing’s chances in the teams’ title chase.”
Korjus, who qualified in 15th place, met with less success. He got bogged down in the mid-field pack and accumulated data and kilometers in view of the second race of the weekend.
On Sunday, Bianchi was on the second row while Korjus again qualified mid-field. Both drivers opted for slicks on a damp track and made a solid start to the race. As mentioned above the Estonian had to retire after being hit by another car. Bianchi was involved in the battle for victory until he went off into a gravel trap, but he still managed to finish twelfth just outside the points.
“It could have been a perfect weekend but finally we’ve come away with mixed feelings,” said Abadie. “As at Spa-Francorchamps, Kevin was never able to show off his skills. We’re very disappointed for him as he hasn’t scored any points in the last two meetings. It’s a pity as we know that he’s got what it takes to win. Once again we’re going to change and check all the faulty components so that he can have a problem-free weekend in Russia. On Sunday, before he was knocked off he was fighting with Nick Yelloly, the winner of the race.
“Jules was as quick on Sunday as on Saturday but he was caught out by the tricky conditions, which can happen. Without losing a minute in the gravel trap he’d have won the race. He’s now lying fifth in the drivers’ ratings and Tech 1 Racing is third in the teams‘ championship. We’re right in the middle of the season and a lot more things are going to happen. The next race is on a circuit that’s new to everybody (Moscow Raceway), and it’ll be interesting to see how it works out. Given the overall level this year everybody will get to grips with it very quickly, and there’s no doubt that the races will be as hotly contested as on all the other circuits.” |
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