After Spa-Francorchamps, the Formula Renault 3.5 field is ready to take on yet another legendary circuit as WSR comes to Monza.
In the Italian round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the Carlin drivers, Robert Wickens and Jean-Éric Vergne, will have their work cut out to defend their lead.
Off the pace in Spa-Francorchamps, the Rookies will be wanting to close the gap back up to the leaders, while for Daniel Ricciardo (ISR) and others, in just this third meeting of the season, it is already time for revenge if they are not to let their dreams slip away from them too easily! Formula Renault 3.5 Series is back at Monza, a circuit where the flagship discipline of the World Series by Renault has not been held since 2008. That year, it was Giedo Van der Garde who took two victories for the P1 Motorsport team.
For the Dutchman, it was the ideal start to the season which was to see him take the title just a few months later. This year, each round has been different to the next in Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
The season kicked off at Motorland Aragón, where it was the Rookie drivers that made the running. Stealing the limelight from their more experienced counterparts, it was Alexander Rossi (Fortec Motorsports) who dominated on the Saturday and Kevin Korjus (Tech 1 Racing) did llikewise on the Sunday. At Spa-Francorchamps however, it was experience that made the difference allowing the Carlin drivers to come away with a clean sweep.
A pole and a win on Saturday for Robert Wickens, ahead of Jean-Éric Vergne; then a pole and a win on Sunday for Jean-Éric Vergne, ahead of Robert Wickens! Albert Costa (Epic Racing) and Chris van der Drift (Mofaz Racing) were the only drivers who were able to compete with the Canadian and the Frenchman.
Having scored exactly the same number of points in Belgium, the gap between the two teammates at Carlin remained unchanged. Robert Wickens came away from the Belgian Ardennes leading the Formula Renault 3.5 Series ahead of Jean-Éric Vergne, who moved up to second place in the championship.
Now, having got the hang of Spa, they will have to master the Monza circuit. It is this circuit's long straights, fast bends, tricky chicanes and dizzyingly fast speeds that have earned it its legendary status. To prepare for this meeting, where the engineers will have to find just the right compromise in terms of settings to be both fast on the straights and efficient through the long bends, many teams have spent time at Monza during the off-season.
Robert Wickens and Daniil Move (P1 Motorsport) will have a slight advantage over their rivals, as these two drivers both took part in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series event held here in 2008. Robert Wickens, the championship leader, was even victorious at Monza in last season's GP3 Series.
The Canadian, racing in the colours of the F1 Marussia Virgin Racing team, will once again be the man to watch closely. With just five points separating them in the championship standings, Jean-Éric Vergne, 2nd, Alexander Rossi, 3rd, and Albert Costa, 4th, will be looking to make ground on two fronts in Italy: To close the gap back up to the leader whilst trying to pull away from this tightly-bunched group.
Lying fifth overall in the Championship, Nelson Panciatici (KMP Racing) leads the chasing group, also containing Kevin Korjus, Chris Van der Drift, Daniil Move, Brendon Hartley (Gravity-Charouz), Walter Grubmüller (P1 Motorsport), Daniel Zampieri (BVM Target) and César Ramos (Fortec Motorsports).
For these last two drivers, this meeting will be of special significance. César Ramos, Italian Formula 3 Champion in 2010, will feel right at home in Monza. But the Tifosis will be right behind Daniel Zampieri, the 2009 Italian Formula 3 Champion. An Italian driver driving for an Italian team, BVM Target, is bound to be able to count on their support at Monza.
The International Draco Racing team and its drivers Andre Negrao and Stéphane Richelmi can also rely on the Italian crowds to spur them on. Finally, the pressure is also mounting for Daniel Ricciardo. Runner-up in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2010, the Australian has only put three points on the board to date.
Not in attendance at Motorland Aragón, the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team reserve driver was not up to scratch in Spa. He will be coming to Monza with the firm intention of finally getting his season underway for real... before it is too late!
