Formula V8 3.5

Spa: Series race two report

Van der Garde strikes again Giedo Van der Garde (P1 Motorsport) was back on form, claiming his third victory in four races. Marco Bonanomi (Red Devil Team Comtec) gained valuable points, finishing second ahead of Mikhail Aleshin ...

Edited: May 4, 2008, 11:25 PM

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Van der Garde strikes again

Giedo Van der Garde (P1 Motorsport) was back on form, claiming his third victory in four races. Marco Bonanomi (Red Devil Team Comtec) gained valuable points, finishing second ahead of Mikhail Aleshin (Carlin Motorsport). In front of a crowd of 75 000, the new season of World Series by Renault got off to a good start!

The starting lineup for this second race at Spa-Franchorchamps was the SuperPole. Marco Bonanomi (Red Devil Team Comtec) was in pole position in front of Giedo Van der Garde (P1 Motorsport), Mikhail Aleshin (Carlin Motorsport) and Robert Wickens (Carlin Motorsport). During the race the drivers had to change two tyres between the fifth and twelfth laps.

Marco Bonanomi kept the advantage of his lead position when Mikhail Aleshin passed Giedo Van der Garde. It was more frenzied in the pack as Robert Wickens went wide at La Source, causing some confusion. Julien Jousse (Tech 1 Motorsport) lost ground as a result, damaging the nose of his Formula Renault 3.5.

Marco Bonanomi finished the first lap in the lead ahead of Mikhail Aleshin, Giedo Van der Garde, Salvador Duran (Interwetten.com Racing Team) and Guillaume Moreau (KTR). On the second lap, Giedo Van der Garde overtook Mikhail Aleshin to snatch second place.

Marco Bonanomi and Giedo Van der Garde were pulling away, Mikhail Aleshin led by two seconds and had to be wary of the return of Salvador Duran, Guillaume Moreau and Miguel Molina (Prema Powerteam).

After a retirement and no points for the first race, Giedo Van der Garde came out fighting on a new set of tyres which he had kept for the race. On the fourth lap, the leader of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series did himself justice and took the lead in an impressive maneuver on Bonanomi at the approach to the first chicane.

Numerous drivers including Mikhail Aleshin chose to make early pit-stops. Marco Bonanomi came in on lap 7. The race order changed in rhythm with the tyre changes. Giedo Van der Garde was now leading Salvador Duran, Guillaume Moreau, Miguel Molina and Daniil Move (KTR). In turn Giedo Van der Garde made his stop, Salvador Duran temporarily taking his place.

The top three remained unchanged after the pit-stops. Giedo Van der Garde made use of a three second lead over Marco Bonanomi and Mikhail Aleshin. Salvador Duran was fourth and behind him was Guillaume Moreau. The Frenchman picked up a 'Drive Through' penalty for not respecting priority in the pit-lane and gave away fifth position to Miguel Molina.

Behind Giedo Van der Garde, uncontestest race-leader, the positions were tighter than ever. Marco Bonanomi had to watch out for Mikhail Aleshin and Savador Duran. At the same time Daniil Move passed Miguel Molina to take fifth position.

Giedo Van der Garde took his third victory in four races ahead of Marco Bonanomi and Mikhail Aleshin. Van der Garde consolidated his lead in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series table.

Giedo Van der Garde: "Yesterday, I missed out on big points. Today I had a lot of wheel spin on the starting line and I fell back to third place. After that, I gradually made it into first place. The car really suits my driving style. That explains why everything's going so well for me right now."

Marco Bonanomi: "The Championship really got going for me this weekend! I took the first SuperPole, I picked up points and that's great. I'm really looking forward to Monaco."

Mikhail Aleshin: "I tried to put pressure on Marco Bonanomi at the end, but I never got the chance to attack. The next meeting is at Monaco, which is always a lottery!"

-credit: wsbyrenault.com

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