Racing on street circuits is notoriously difficult but International Formula Master’s (IFM) fleet of young drivers are ready and eager to take on the famous Pau track for round three and four of the Series.

IFM’s race debut last weekend in Valencia, Spain could not have gone better with 31 cars starting both races successfully and two worthy young drivers taking the historical wins.

Italy’s Salvatore Gatto and Denmark’s Kasper Andersen earned their stunning victories, overcoming the ample overtaking that gave motorsport fans a preview of the kind of racing that can be expected from the Series. International Formula Master got off to a great start in Valencia, SpainAs IFM heads to the next round in Pau, France, French driver Pierre Ragues reflects on his experience of the Series so far.

“We showed we were competitive in Spain”, said the 23-year-old who drives for Euronova Racing. “We had a good rhythm in the races, finishing ninth in the second race despite a difficult start to the weekend in qualifying.

“I think we need to be better at managing traffic in qualifying though, especially at Pau where things will be very tight from that point of view which means that being at the front is crucial. There are only three other drivers apart from me who know the track, Jerome D’Ambrosio, Nicolas Maulini and Maximilian Goetz so I should have an advantage over most of the field.

“Racing in France will also be very special, this is my home round and I’m the only French driver in the Series, something that’s never happened to me before! Fans are so close to the track that I’ll definitely notice any support I get. In Spain, the crowds cheered each time a Spanish driver overtook so can you imagine what that will be like with the crowds in Pau!”