Valencia: Racing Engineering race report

Racing Engineering's Franck Montagny victorious! The first round of the new World Series by Nissan has caused mixed emotions for Racing Engineering. Franck Montagny met the high expectations following superb pre-season tests. Second position in ...

Racing Engineering's Franck Montagny victorious!

The first round of the new World Series by Nissan has caused mixed emotions for Racing Engineering. Franck Montagny met the high expectations following superb pre-season tests. Second position in the first race and the victory in the second race prove the young Frenchman's talent.

Justin Wilson was not at all lucky this weekend. In the first race he was pushed off the track and technical problems stopped him in the second race. Nevertheless Justin is optimistic and keen to show his potential at the next meeting.

Racing Engineering is currently leading the drivers as well as the team championship of the Telefónica World Series by Nissan.

1st race:
Franck Montagny started from pole position and was overtaken in the first corner. Already in the second corner Franck was in first position again. Until lap 10 Franck was leading the race, when all of a sudden problems with the clutch appeared. Franck could not hold the first position and due to the clutch problems, was happy with his second position. Justin Wilson was not so lucky. He had a good start and could hold his position. When in lap 2 Villamil went off the track, Justin could pass him without any problem, but Vilariño hit the rear of Justin's car and pushed him off the track. Justin got stuck in the gravel and therefore could not continue the race. Vilariño, causing this accident, damaged the steering of his car and had to retire in the pits.

After this unlucky race Justin Wilson said" I had a great start but then have been boxed in my position due to the traffic. In the 2nd lap there was the crash, a race accident. I am not happy about finishing the 1st race this way but am looking forward to the 2nd race."

Franck Montagny, finishing in 2nd position, claimed" It is good to finish in 2nd position, especially as we are having a long season. Nevertheless I am upset because we never had any problems with the car during all the tests - but while leading the race technical problems appeared. I am looking forward to the 2nd race. I hope everything goes well with the pit-stops, but the mechanics are working well. It is a long season."

2nd race:
Franck Montagny starting from pole position controlled the second race at all moments. When Franck came in for his pit-stop in lap 17, he was ahead of Leinders, who was blocked by another car after and spun. Franck was never in danger of losing the first position at any point in the race. Justin Wilson again had a very good start and for most of the race everything went well for him. Three laps before the checkered flag problems with the gearbox occurred and kept him from finishing the race. Racing Engineering hopes its reigning F3000 champion has more luck at the next meeting!

Franck Montagny at the end of this race day said that he is very happy and this has been a very good weekend. During the 2nd race again the clutch caused problems that worried him, so he didn't drive at the limit. He is content with the car, his mechanics and engineers and also with the great work of R.P.M., the organizers of this professional series.