The last session of the World Series by Nissan Collective Test was red flagged 15 minutes before the end due to a car incident (Juan Alvarez). By that time, Kartikheyan managed to lap 1.21.597, with a new set of tyres. Kovalainen ceded only half a second (1.22.094) and Bernoldi secured the third position (1.22.452). All three drivers are fighting for the 2004 Title in the World Series by Nissan. All three drivers know how important a victory will be to step in Formula One.
Kartikheyan proved today at Zolder why he is regarded as one of the quickest drivers in the 3.000 single-seater competitions. If he takes the Championship he’s got a very serious option to enter Formula One. He knows that, and Tata, he’s long time partner, knows that too. Since 2004, he’s under Dr. Helmut Marko driver’s portfolio, the so-called Red Bull Programme, and that means you have to perform every day. Red Bull does not have any problem when it comes to drop out a guy, even in the mid of the season, and Narain is aware of this fact.
Narain was the only top driver on new tyres, as Kovalainen and Bernoldi were stopped by the incident with the Gabord Reyco car. Olivier Pla managed to step in the 4th position, followed by Félix Porteiro, 5th fastest, who is contesting the Series with the new Spanish Team Porfesa Competición.
Jean Christophe Ravier was the quickest driver in the Epsilon Euskadi Team. Ander Vilariño wasn’t very happy with the set-up of his car in the morning session, but admitted that the balance was quite good in the afternoon.
Fukuda will be the only driver in Paul Belmondo Racing Team after the decision made by Boris Derichebourg to quit the Series. Still, Oliver Pla, JC Ravier, Tristan Gommendy, Didier Andre and Bruce Jouanny will continue to defend the French Pavillion.
Bruce Jouanny had a struggling session in the morning when he had to stop testing due to a fuel pump failure in his car.
TV deal extends to Russia and Belgium
These two countries are the latest to join the list giving TV Coverage to the World Series by Nissan.
PELLEGRINO fastest in World Series Light
The fastest driver in the World Series Light category was Matteo Pellegrino, who stopped the clock in 1.25.493 with his Vergani Formula car - almost one second fastest than Mathieu Lahaye, and Milos Pavlovic, the Yugoslavian recovered time lost in the morning with an engine failure.
The Dallara AER single seaters are having their first contact with the Zolder track, although Vergani Formula was the only team testing last week privately.
The morning session was held on a wet track, so the drivers had to change the set-up for a dry one in the afternoon’s session. Primat was leading the first session of the morning.
