Toronto, Canada (April 28, 2011) – Robert Wickens tackles the might of the classic spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium this weekend, Saturday 30th April – Sunday 1st May, as Round 2 of the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series sees the Canadian look to build on a solid opening round two weeks ago in Spain which included a pole position and second place podium finish.
The 22-year-old from Toronto, who races for the UK-based Carlin outfit with support from Marussia Motors, sits second in the Driver Standings following the season-opener at Spain’s Motorland Aragon Circuit. His podium in the first race, followed by a fifth place finish in the second – after a problematic pit-stop cost him a repeat trip to the podium, sees Robert back in action this weekend in Belgium looking for his first win of the season and keen to build on his solid points haul.
Having raced three-times previously at the legendary 7km spa-Francorchamps Circuit, famously home to the Belgian Grand Prix, Wickens is looking forward to the prospect of once again taking on the challenge of the sweeping track.
“I’ve had some mixed fortunes competing at spa but for the most part I’ve always been quick there,” stated the 2010 GP3 Series Runner-up. “I like the track, it’s really one of the few rare old school circuits that are out there. For me, that’s what makes competing there so much fun as you get a flavor for the more traditional European race track.
“There’s a lot to think about taking on Spa but last year’s visit in GP3 proved to be my best outing there with pole and a win in the first race. The weather was a factor in the second race but then going into a weekend at Spa, that’s something you’ve always got to take into consideration. It can be bone dry in one part of the track but raining at another part! I love the challenge though, it’s a real drivers’ circuit so to win here is always special.”
Wickens’ previous Spa successes also include a podium finish from the 2009 season when he competed in the inaugural FIA F2 Championship – the stand-out Canadian going on to finish second overall in the Driver Standings that year further building his European open-wheel racing credentials.
Robert’s weekend, with the Formula Renault 3.5 Series forming part of the multi-race ‘World Series by Renault’ package, gets underway at spa-Francorchamps with Race 1 set for 2:30pm CET on Saturday 30th April, with Race 2 starting at 1pm CET, on Sunday 1st May.
2011 FR3.5 Series Top-5 Driver Standings (R1/9):
1st – Rossi (USA) 43pts,
2nd – WICKENS (CAN) 28pts,
3rd – Costa (ESP) 27pts,
4th – Korjus (EST) 25pts,
5th – Panciatici (FRA) 15pts - www.worldseriesbyrenault.com
Twitter: @robertwickens
About Robert Wickens:
Robert Wickens (22) is recognized as one of the brightest Canadian driving talents to have emerged in recent years with a track record of success forged on both sides of the Atlantic leading him well placed on the path to Formula One. A multiple karting champion in North America, Wickens won the 2006 Formula BMW USA title before graduating, and winning races in the Formula Atlantic Series the following year. Chasing his F1 dream, Robert moved to Europe in 2008 winning races in both the World Series by Renault and the F3 Euro Series.
He raced his way to the runner-up spot in the FIA F2 Championship in 2009, again a multiple race-winner, before tackling the 2010 GP3 Series. Another strong title-challenging campaign saw Robert claim the runner-up position but more importantly, his 2010 efforts attracted the backing of Marussia Motors – Russia’s first supercar manufacturer and an owner in the Marussia Virgin F1 team.
About Marussia Motors:
Founded in 2007 by former racing driver Nikolay Fomenko, renowned brand strategist Efim Ostrovsky and award-winning technology entrepreneur Andrey Cheglakov, the creation of Russia’s first high-performance car company is a remarkable story of vision, focus, innovation and ambition. The dramatic mid-engined B1 design, was first unveiled in Moscow in 2008, followed by the launch of the Marussia B2 in the autumn of 2009 – with these designs, the Russian supercar had arrived. In 2010 the company partnered with Virgin Racing F1 and at the end of the season Marussia Motors acquired a majority stake in the team – now called Marussia Virgin Racing – www.marussiamotors.ru / www.virginracing.com
About Formula Renault 3.5 Series:
The Formula Renault 3.5 Series has been successful in launching several drivers directly into Formula One with the notable stand-outs including 2010 Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel, as well as Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica. Both Vettel and Kubica made their F1 starts graduating straight from successful seasons competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series – part of the ‘World Series by Renault’ package. In 2011 the series sees 26 cars competing in 17 races across 9 of Europe’s leading circuits including the likes of spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Silverstone (UK) and Monaco – www.worldseriesbyrenault.com
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