Formula Renault 3.5
All the drivers took to the track as soon as the green flag was waved for the final qualifying session of the 2011 season, among them Adrien Tambay who had to withdraw yesterday.
The early times were set on used rubber. Albert Costa in 1m 34.326s topped the time sheets early on until Robert Wickens beat him with a lap in 1m 34.243s before the drivers pitted to put on new tyres. Behind the championship leader came Costa, Stéphane Richelmi (International Draco), Walter Grubmüller (P1 Motorsport) and Oliver Webb (Pons Racing). Jean-Eric Vergne was way down in fourteenth place!
Daniel Zampieri (BVM Target) was the first to improve but Costa was determined to shine in front of his home crowd and took his first pole in the Formula Renault 3.5 series with a time of 1m 32.343s. Wickens slotted in behind the Spaniard with the second-best time from Anton Nebylitskiy (KPM Racing), Nick Yelloly (Pons Racing) and Vergne (Carlin).
Albert Costa: “I haven’t got a budget for next season so today may be my last race. I’m going to give my all; I’ve got nothing to lose; I need a good result.”
Robert Wickens: “I slept well last night so I’m feeling good and relaxed. The most important thing is that I’m in front of Jean-Eric on the grid. Today, I have to finish in front of my team-mate.”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.