Barcelona - Robert Wickens and Jean-Eric Vergne took part in final preparations ahead of the Formula Renault 3.5 season finale today. Both Carlin drivers completed a full and detailed test programme in Barcelona, including runs in low and high downforce configuration. Wickens was sixth quickest in first free practice while Vergne was 12th. In the much cooler afternoon session was saw the quicker times, Wickens was third quickest, while Vergne was 11th.
With only two points separating Wickens and Vergne in the FR3.5 standings, the final two races of 2011 promise to deliver a thrilling finale to the season. Despite the close competition, both Wickens and Vergne and their engineers continued to share data as the team worked hard to find the best set-up around the Circuit de Catalunya.
Vergne was the pace in the early part of the first session of the day, while team mate Wickens was close behind in third place. As the session continued several drivers improved at the end of 1 hour and 15 minutes of track time, and Wickens was sixth while Vergne was 11th.
After a lengthy lunch break and debrief, the cars were back on track for the second practice session of the day. A red flag early on disrupted proceedings and forced all the drivers back into the pits for a short time. Once the track went green again, Wickens and Vergne continued their test programmes, with Vergne putting on new tyres 20 minutes before the end of the session. The Frenchman climbed the timing screens as did other drivers who had taken the same strategy. Wickens soon followed in his team mate’s tyre track, and on new rubber went quicker and went third fastest. Wickens was able to stay there until the chequered flag while Vergne was 11th.
Speaking about his session Wickens said, “It was a pretty typical Friday, was had a good base set-up which meant we didn’t have to search too hard or waste time looking for the right way to go. The puncture from Paul Ricard left us without a great selection of tyres in the first session so that wasn’t ideal. Overall we had two good sessions though. We just need to try and find a bit more speed tomorrow to get pole.”
Vergne was less happy with his session adding, “The car wasn’t quite doing what I expected today, I didn’t feel the consistency that I do usually. There are a few things we need to check tonight. Tomorrow is a different day though, so I’m still confident ahead of qualifying tomorrow.”
From Stephanie Tindall / Carlin
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