Robert Wickens with bags of confidence at Paul Ricard HTTT
Fastest driver in each of the two sessions of collective testing today at the Paul Ricard HTTT, Robert Wickens (Carlin) goes into the coming season full of confidence. The Canadian driver finished on top of the timesheets, ahead of Albert Costa (Epsilon Euskadi) and Jean-Éric Vergne (Carlin). The collective testing for Formula Renault 3.5 Series continues tomorrow.
Drivers from Formula Renault 3.5 Series are completing their preparations during the lead-in to the new season, set to kick off at Motorland Aragón on April 16, with these two days of collective testing at the Paul Ricard circuit. Daniel Ricciardo, unavailable due to Melbourne Grand Prix obligations -as third driver with the Red Bull Racing F1 Team- was replaced for the occasion by Filip Salaquarda (ISR). Sten Pentus, fourth in last season's championship with two wins on the clock, shifts over to Epsilon Euskadi. Meanwhile, New Zealander Dominic Storey teams up with Mofaz Racing.
The lap times improved significantly during the morning on a track that was seeing action from the Formula Renault 3.5 Series for the first time in this configuration, the same that will be used in September's race event. Daniil Move (P1 Motorsport) as often was an early front runner. The Russian driver was ousted from first position by Albert Costa and the Spaniard remained in the lead until fresh tyres came out.
Alexander Rossi, with a lap time of 1'51''676, launched a wave of improvements before the break, only to be upstaged by the Carlin Motorsport drivers as the checkered flag approached. Robert Wickens, in 1'51''095, claimed the fastest time just ahead of teammate Jean-Éric Vergne. Alexander Rossi, Stéphane Richelmi (International Draco Racing) and Daniil Move completed the top 5.
The early afternoon was spent preparing for the forthcoming first race. While some drivers practiced pit-stops, others opted for a race simulation. Many drivers also chose the afternoon session to test out the light aerodynamic configuration. Alexander Rossi, Arthur Pic (Tech 1 Racing) and Albert Costa made up the top three at the beginning of the last hour. But the standings changed again when drivers donned a second set of fresh tyres.
Daniel Zampieri (BVM Target) was the first to get close to Robert Wickens' time, but it was Albert Costa, who brought the time down significantly, with 1'50''892. With his final attempt of the day, Robert Wickens had the last word though, lapping in 1'50''843. The Canadian driver for Carlin was to end the day with the fastest time.
Quotes
Robert Wickens: "We are working calmly but surely, we tried a lot of things today and we did a lot of pit-stops. It's so easy to lose a race on a pit stop. It's a shame Daniel Ricciardo couldn't be here today, I'd have liked to know where he is in relation to me. Getting the two best times today is sure good for morale."
Albert Costa: "I'm working with a new engineer this year. We've been developing together since Motorland Aragón and we have a very good understanding right now. The car is really suited to my driving today. Without really going for the best time I got a very good lap time. It's very positive going into an important season for me."
Stéphane Richelmi: "In the dry, this worked much better for me than at Barcelona, where I was not comfortable in wet conditions. This is the first time that teams have worked in this configuration, so I think the rankings will change a lot tomorrow. I've progressed steadily since the first tests. My goal is to get into the top 10 early in the season, then the top 3 and go for first!"
