Formula Renault 3.5
The drivers went out on used tyres in light aero configuration. Frenchman Adrien Tambay’s session got off to a bad start as he ended up in the gravel trap bringing out the red flag.
Robert Wickens took provisional pole in 1m 32.564s from Albert Costa (Epic Racing) and Sergio Canamasas (BVM Target). The session was then neutralized for the second time when Brendon Hartley went off and damaged his engine, which vomited all its oil on the track.
After a stoppage of over 30 minutes, qualifying restarted and the cars rejoined on new rubber. The grid line-up behind Wickens and Costa was decided in the dying seconds of the session, but the remains of the oil still on the track made things more difficult for the drivers. Only Alexander Rossi managed to improve slotting into third. The Canadian’s seventh pole of the season puts him in a strong position as his main rival, Jean-Eric Vergne, could do no better than ninth.
Robert Wickens: “It was a kind of bizarre session. I had enough time to get out of the car and talk to the team! The oil on the track made things more difficult in the second part and almost nobody improved. My car was perfect. With my pole and Jean-Eric’s ninth place I’m in a good position. But it’s not over yet.”
Albert Costa: “I’m happy to be second but a bit disappointed not to have set pole. I improved in the first two sectors and then I ran into too much traffic at the end of the lap. It’s good to be well placed on the grid but I need a result. I’ve got a new helmet this weekend and I hope it’ll bring me luck.”
Alexander Rossi: “The track was very slippery and tricky, but as I was seventh I had to take risks to improve. Being on the second row isn’t too bad. Albert’s quick here so the battle for third in the championship’s going to be pretty hectic!”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.