Spa-Francorchamps - Race 2
After a race that kept up the suspense right to the chequered flag, the Carlin drivers did the double again at Spa-Francorchamps, but in reverse order compared to the previous day. Jean-ric Vergne (Carlin) took his first win of the season ahead of Robert Wickens (Carlin) and Chris Van der Drift (Mofaz Racing). The two Carlin drivers come away from Spa lying first and second in the Championship standings, with Robert Wickens fourteen points ahead of Jean-ric Vergne.
The Carlin drivers adopting a winning strategy as of the qualifying session, with Wickens and Vergne driving head to tail to get maximum benefit from the slipstream effect. Vergne got his first pole position of the season ahead of Daniel Zampieri (BVM-Target), who managed to slot in between the Carlin cars. Vergne made the perfect start when the lights went out. Robert Wickens, third on the grid, was quick to put pressure on Daniel Zampieri.
The Canadian driver soon found the opening and moved up to second. At the end of lap 1, Vergne led from Robert Wickens, Daniel Zampieri, Chris Van der Drift and Daniel Ricciardo (ISR). The Australian soon lost 5th place though, dispossessed by Walter Grubmuller (P1 Motorsport), before being harassed in turn by Albert Costa (Epic Racing). Costa, having charged from 11th on the grid up to 7th, was soon looking to outflank the reserve driver with Red Bull Formula One Racing Team.
The Spaniard found the opening in the 3rd lap and went 6th. Under pressure from his teammate, Jean-ric Vergne increased the pace before the compulsory pit stops. Albert Costa was first to pit, followed a lap later by Robert Wickens. Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Zampieri and Chris Van der Drift chose to extend their first run a little longer. Wickens made the pit stop decisive! Getting away quicker than his teammate, he took control of the race, pushing hard for several laps to pull away from Vergne.
Third placed Chris Van der Drift had to deal with the return of Albert Costa, who had also made the pit stop count and was up in fourth. Jean-ric Vergne wasnt for laying down arms and towards the end of the race he caught up the lost ground on leader Robert Wickens.
The French driver made a first assault on the leading car with ten minutes to go, in La Source. He positioned himself perfectly in the slipstream of his teammate in the Raidillon and made the decisive attack in Les Combes. Both drivers braked late, but Vergne made the winning overtake manoeuvre to take control of the race on lap 17. He crossed the finish line first, ahead of Robert Wickens and Chris Van der Drift. Daniel Zampieri ousted Albert Costa from 4th place in the final laps.
Quotes
Jean-ric Vergne: "I won three times here last year in F3, I was on the podium yesterday and Ive taken a win today. This is a circuit that really works for me... we should come back here again this season! I suffered a bit early in the race, then when I found myself behind Robert after the pit stops I thought it was over. But I continued to push and my car was great. Its my first win of the year, and thats perfect. Its game on for the season now."
Robert Wickens: "The Carlin team did a great job this weekend. We were really on top of things. I go away from here leading the Championship, that was my goal. I was quicker than Jean-Eric early in the race, but he finished really strong."
Chris Van der Drift: "My program was decided very late. I arrived at Motorland without any pre-season testing. We suffered a bit over there, but I feel were improving fast. Everything is going very well with Mofaz Racing, so yes, I can announce today that Ill be racing the full season."
