Canadian Second in Formula Renault 3.5 Standings Exiting Spain

Robert Wickens enjoyed a solid start to the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series with the Canadian claiming the pole and a second place podium finish in the first race held on Saturday, followed by a fifth place in Sunday’s second outing at Spain’s Motorland Aragon Circuit.  Competing this season for the UK-based Carlin outfit, Wickens exits the opening round sitting second overall in the Driver Standings. 

The 22-year-old from Toronto, backed this season by Marussia Motors, enjoyed a perfect start to the weekend claiming pole position for Saturday’s first race.  Firing himself around the 5.43km Spanish track in 1m42.901s, Robert topped the 26-car field on his return to the ‘World Series by Renault’ where he first made his European open-wheel racing debut in 2008.

Saturday’s 25-lap race didn’t quite go to plan for the 2010 GP3 Series Runner-Up.  Dropping back to fourth after losing out under braking into the first turn, Wickens was then faced with the challenge of clawing back position.  Confident in the pace of his car though, Robert knew his opportunities would come and none more so than on lap 11 when he darted by Daniil Move for second place at the hairpin.  America’s Alexander Rossi claimed the victory followed home at the checkered flag by Wickens in second and France’s Nelson Panciatici in third.

Sunday’s qualifying effort proved to be a source of frustration for Wickens.  A series of yellows hampered Robert’s flying runs – not least on his third lap, traditionally when the tires on the Formula Renault 3.5 Series cars are at their optimum.  Disappointed to be seventh quickest on the timesheets knowing the pace available to him, the afternoon’s race would at least provide an opportunity to make up ground.

Immediately up into fifth at the start, he held station for the first leg of the race until the mandatory pit-stops.  Unfortunately a slower than expected stop, for two new rear tires, cost Robert valuable time and potential track position – having been ahead of Rossi, who would eventually finish second.  After the field cycled through the stops, Robert remained fifth and that’s where the Canadian would take the checkered.  Estonian Kevin Korjus won the race with Rossi second and home-favorite, Spain’s Albert Costa completing the podium.

“My goal coming into this weekend was to leave as championship leader so I’m a little disappointed not to have achieved that,” stated Wickens.  “Second isn’t too bad though, we’re coming away with a decent points haul.  It was good to get the pole on Saturday.  I obviously expected to translate that into a win but lost out at the first corner.  Today’s issues were unforeseen but for my first time competing here at this track, I’m satisfied with a pair of top fives and I can’t wait to head to Spa next, a track I know very well and enjoy racing at!”

Round 2 of the ‘World Series by Renault’ heads to Belgium and the legendary Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, Saturday 30th April – Sunday 1st May.  For further information on the World Series by Renault please log on to: www.worldseriesbyrenault.com