Spa: Robbie Kerr race one report

Kerr's hopes of Spa revival dampened Robbie Kerr, ...

Kerr's hopes of Spa revival dampened

Robbie Kerr, #5 Team KTR, Race 1 -- Qualified: 16th / Finished: 23rd

Robbie Kerr's hopes of turning his World Series by Renault fortunes around this weekend at the famed Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium were dealt an early blow as an engine change between qualifying sessions signalled the start of a frustrating day. The British racer went on to be classified 23rd at the end of a rain-soaked and shortened Race 1 following an off and a puncture courtesy of Frenchman Patrick Pilet.

Race 1, Qualifying (Pole -- Pastor Maldonado, 2m04.058s)

Kerr's weekend begain encouragingly with a top-five practice time in Thursday's morning session. Qualifying for Race 1 proved to be a frantic dash round the sweeping 4.3-mile circuit, nestled in the stunning Ardennes region of Belgium, with the 15 cars in Robbie's Group A vying for fastest lap with just 15 minutes of track time allowed. While the track remained dry Robbie reported that his #5 KTR entry was down on straight-line power, the Brit going on to set the eighth fastest Group A time with a 2m04.632s lap to start 16th.

Race 1, 11 Laps (Winner -- Pastor Maldonado, Draco Multiracing USA)

Prior to the race Robbie's KTR crew worked feverishly to replace his engine between the two qualifying sessions, the second to set the grid for Race 2 tomorrow, but Kerr's expectations of an increase in engine performance failed to materialize. After touring behind the safety car due to the monsoon-like conditions the pack was finally unleashed but an early off from Kerr put paid to a promising run through the field and he ended up back down in 16th.

He recovered but Kerr's second ascension ended as he zoned in on the top-ten passing Patrick Pilet at the first chicane. The Frenchman turned into the side of Kerr puncturing a tire and forcing the British ace to head to the pits where he remained to be classified two laps down.

Robbie Kerr - #5 Team KTR: "It's been one of those days. I'm happy with my car and the team but we've just had some power issues to contend with. I'm hoping we'll be more competitive tomorrow but we start down in 20th thanks to today's qualifying woes so we've got a huge task ahead of us!"

Race 2 (20 Laps), including a mandatory pit-stop, starts tomorrow at 1:25pm CET.