Final Paul Ricard test notes 2004-12-18

27 drivers completed the first Collective Test with the World Series by Renault Teams in the HTTT Paul Ricard Circuit.

This first Collective Test had offered the Teams a fantastic opportunity for evaluating possible future drivers. 27 different drivers from 17 countries have been on duty, proving the interest of the forthcoming World Series by Renault.

Kurt Mollekens resumes the feeling of most of the Teams: "We have enjoyed three days of good work. It is a success to have 26 drivers in our first Test. We have also discovered the new car. I'm really impressed by the Formula Renault 3.5. You can see that it is a clear step forward from the old car and looking at the difussor, it is clear that it will have more downforce."

The majority of the drivers had spent some miles in recognising the modern High Tech Test Track using the Dallara Nissan and the FRV6 chassis. As the days went on, the drivers were more confident on the driving side and the Team Managers could focus more on the analysis of their performance.

17 year-old Giovanni Tedeschi has set the fastest lap in 1.17.911 with the RC Motorsport Dallara-Nissan car, followed by the winner of the FRV6, Giorgio Mondini (Eurointernational), with 1.18.062. The British driver Robbie Kerr lapped in 1.18.207, the third quickest lap in a difficult day in Paul Ricard, affected by a strong wind (Mistral) during all the morning.

Quotes from the drivers:

Tristan Gommendy (FRA) Saulnier Racing: "The Formula Renault 3.5 it is a very beautiful car. You can see a lot of work in the aerodynamic side and I'm sure that technically we will find a much more improved car."

Robert Kubica (POL) Epsilon Euskadi: "The Epsilon Euskadi Team is very professional and to work with them has been a fantastic experience. I'm very satisfied with my time yesterday. The World Series car has a lot of downforce and it really surprised me in the corners."

Giovanni Tedeschi (ITA) RC Motorsport: "Overall it has been a very positive test in Paul Ricard. The work with the Team RC it has been fantastic. I have spent the first day trying to learn the track and finally this afternoon I could improve my lap time quite a lot".

<pre> Best Laps(16-17-18 december)

Pos   Driver            Team                    Car     Best Time  Day
1     R. Kubica         Epsilon Euskadi         WS      1,17,394   17/12/04
2     C. Míguez         Pons Racing             WS      1,17,622   17/12/04
3     A. Parente        Carlin Motorsport       WS      1,17,866   17/12/04
4     G.Tedeschi        RC Motorsport           WS      1,17,961   18/12/04
5     T.Gommendy        Saulnier Racing         WS      1,18,056   16/12/04
6     G. Mondini        Eurointernational       WS      1,18,062   18/12/04
7     W.Power           Draco Racing Team       WS      1,18,206   16/12/04
8     R. Kerr           Epsilon Euskadi         WS      1,18,207   18/12/04
9     R.Sharp           KTR                     WS      1,18,378   17/12/04
10    D.Pasini          GD Racing               WS      1,18,689   17/12/04
11    L. Filippi        RC Motorsport           WS      1,18,771   16/12/04
12    F.Ippoliti        Draco Racing Team       WS      1,19,045   18/12/04
13    M.Meneghello      Cram Competition        WS      1,19,228   17/12/04
14    C.Campaniço       Cram Competition        WS      1,19,269   18/12/04
15    H.Primat          Saulnier Racing         WS      1,19,283   18/12/04
16    J.Reid            Draco Racing Team       WS      1,19,355   17/12/04
17    C. Montanari      Epsilon Euskadi         WS      1,19,572   16/12/04
18    F.Vervisch        KTR                     WS      1,19,900   17/12/04
19    T.Kostka          KTR                     WS      1,19,985   18/12/04
20    A.Ciompi          Avelon Fórmula          WS      1,20,547   17/12/04
21    J. Van Lagen      Interwetten             FR V6   1,21,540   16/12/04
22    I.Bellarosa       Avelon Fórmula          WS      1,21,669   16/12/04
23    S.Proetto         Interwetten             FR V6   1,21,960   17/12/04
24    A.Danielsson      Dams                    FR V6   1,22,354   18/12/04
25    P.Pilet           Dams                    FR V6   1,22,369   17/12/04
26    Z.Oskutis         Dams                    FR V6   1,24,200   18/12/04
27    L.Reynolds        Dams                    FR V6   1,25,040   16/12/04

-rpm-