Formula V8 3.5

Silverstone: Series race two report

Charles Pic starts the chase Pole-sitter Charles Pic (Tech 1 Racing) led the race from start to finish today, to claim his first win of the season in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, putting a welcome end to his poor run of luck. The French ...

Published: Oct 2, 2009, 4:41 PM

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Charles Pic starts the chase

Pole-sitter Charles Pic (Tech 1 Racing) led the race from start to finish today, to claim his first win of the season in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, putting a welcome end to his poor run of luck. The French driver finished ahead of Britons James Walker (P1 Motorsport) and Oliver Turvey (Carlin Motorsport) at the Silverstone circuit. Walker leaves Silverstone second in the championship, six points behind leader Marcos Martinez (Pons Racing), who finished 6th today.

For the second time this weekend, Charles Pic lined up on the start grid in pole position ahead of James Walker, supported by a big home following. The Tech 1 Racing drivers made a dream start. Charles Pic led into the first turn ahead of Brendon Hartley (Tech 1 Racing), who left James Walker standing as the lights went out. Charles Pic completed lap 1 in the lead, ahead of Brendon Hartley, James Walker, Oliver Turvey and Fairuz Fauzy (Mofaz Fortec Motorsport).

While Charles Pic pulled away, team-mate Brendon Hartley was busy containing James Walker, Oliver Turvey and Fairuz Fauzy. Just behind the foursome, Marcos Martinez led the main field of drivers, in tight formation as far back as Adrian Zaugg (Interwetten.com Racing), in 12th. The pecking order was upset in this group when Bertrand Baguette moved past Jaime Alguersuari into 8th place.

James Walker was the first of the leaders to go in for the compulsory pit stop, changing two of his wheels. Meanwhile, Charles Pic was pushing hard and put in a series of fast laps. He was five seconds ahead of Brendon Hartley when Hartley stormed into the pits. The New Zealander was to see his chances ruined though, picking up a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pitlane.

Charles Pic and Oliver Turvey were among the last drivers to pit. When he came out, the French driver was still in first ahead of James Walker. A fierce duel between British drivers then ensued for the prize of second place, as Oliver Turvey got closer and closer to James Walker. Further back, Fairuz Fauzy was now in 4th place ahead of Marcos Martinez and Bertrand Baguette. With 15 minutes to go, Baguette managed to oust the Formula Renault 3.5 Series leader from 5th place.

Despite attacks from Turvey on Walker and from Martinez on Baguette, the order was to remain the same right up to chequered flag. So Charles Pic put an end to his disappointing form this season, and claimed his first victory of the season. The Frenchman drove home ahead of James Walker and Oliver Turvey. With his 6th place, Marcos Martinez stays in the lead of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship, but now has James Walker behind him in second, six points behind.

Quote, unquote: Charles Pic: "The season started poorly, but we were never discouraged. This win does us a lot of good, for me just like for all the team. The start of the race went very well, the end was tougher. We'd opted for a quick car at the beginning. The championship is still a possibility. We've got to repeat this at Le Mans."

James Walker: "After qualifying I was disappointed not to be on pole position, but in the end I'm very pleased today. This is a good weekend, I go second in the overall standings, that's perfect. The end of the race was difficult because Oliver Turvey came back really strong. I managed to hold him off, but it was very complicated".

Oliver Turvey: "Two podiums, in front of such a big crowd, it's perfect. James didn't make an error, so impossible to get past him. I'm not thinking about the title, it's my first season, I'm here to learn. I'm savouring every result and we'll see what happens --".

-credit: wsr

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