Formula Renault 3.5 Monza - Round 1

[skells22]

time for the world series of Reanult cars to come out and play, race one starts at 3.00pm and might be live on eurosport on Saturday but there is something in the way. at least its not flipping tennis or flipping snooker, it the WTCC cars that could be the issue this time. race two looks like its delayed at 3.00pm on Sunday but once again its depends on fellow singer seater AutoGP. this is rare motorsport could overrun motorsport

[Formulahistory]

Carlin will miss first round. And four seats still open...

Not good signs...

[ivanalesi]

I don't get this. It's a bit smelly this whole Carlin thing. How come all the other teams are finding drivers and suddenly Carlin can't? They had their GP2 drivers signed months ago. There is something going on behind the scenes or Carlin believe they're so super uber great, that they need only championship winning drivers with huge budgets like Signature did some time ago in F3ES.

[Formulahistory]

I think Carlin don't want a year as 2013 with being out of the top ten. I think they searched for really good drivers and they couldn't get them...

[bella]

it's formula renault 3.5 NOT wsr. world series by renault is the EVENT. formula renault 3.5 is the SERIES.

right now i've got that off my chest...

the carlin thing is very interesting isn't it? clearly it's not just what we see on the surface. down to three seats now merhi is joining up though

(weird step from him. presumably he was given an offer he couldn't refuse?)

[Rob29]

TV coverage is on BTsport channel !-

[kipper]

Originally Posted by bella

presumably he was given an offer he couldn't refuse?)

Perhaps it was his only offer? (The reason I suggest this, is because, as you say, it is an odd move)

[skells22]

I think BT sports has done somethng wrong, i need to know want time race 2 starts as it says highlights of race 2 when we do not know the time of race 2

[bella]

the actual session times are:

friday
10.05-10.55 - test 1
13.20-14.10 - test 2

saturday
11.30-12.00 - qualifying 1
16.15-16.58 - race 1

sunday
9.00-9.30 - qualifying 2
12.30-13.13 - race 2

i suggest you watch television at those times and see if it's on. tom gaymor said on twitter it would be live on british eurosport, fwiw.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by bella

the actual session times are:

friday
10.05-10.55 - test 1
13.20-14.10 - test 2

saturday
11.30-12.00 - qualifying 1
16.15-16.58 - race 1

sunday
9.00-9.30 - qualifying 2
12.30-13.13 - race 2

i suggest you watch television at those times and see if it's on. tom gaymor said on twitter it would be live on british eurosport, fwiw.

Woah late to the party here, much more work to do than last month!

Thanks bella

Merhi is definitely a good driver addition to the entry and I'm keen to see how he fares against some of the guys who've had much more seat time.

I'm looking forward to his much more than GP2 over the last few seasons as I always get the feeling that what you see happening is the real form as opposed to some random lottery (ironically like this series used to suffer from but doesn't anymore!).

All things being equal I think this is either Sorensen's or Sainz' series to lose. Sorensen still has the talent but he nedds a more consistent set up or balance this year?

Sainz looked mega on occasions last year and just needs to calm down a bit and keep that raw pace over the race entirety. I like his style as he's got car control to spare.

Rowland looks like a rookie to be reckoned with?

The Sirotkin, Stevens, Nato or even Melker might be my other title punts?

[Rf1 Fan]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Woah late to the party here, much more work to do than last month!

Thanks bella

Merhi is definitely a good driver addition to the entry and I'm keen to see how he fares against some of the guys who've had much more seat time.

I'm looking forward to his much more than GP2 over the last few seasons as I always get the feeling that what you see happening is the real form as opposed to some random lottery (ironically like this series used to suffer from but doesn't anymore!).

All things being equal I think this is either Sorensen's or Sainz' series to lose. Sorensen still has the talent but he nedds a more consistent set up or balance this year?

Sainz looked mega on occasions last year and just needs to calm down a bit and keep that raw pace over the race entirety. I like his style as he's got car control to spare.

Rowland looks like a rookie to be reckoned with?

The Sirotkin, Stevens, Nato or even Melker might be my other title punts?

you forgot gasly, he is also mega quick.

[Go_For_Pole]

We are almost in Friday and Tech 1, ISR, Zeta and Comtec are still without 2nd drivers. Not good.

[chunterer]

Could be a few surprising last minute season entries or one-off deals?

[el_cat]

Well it seems Zeta are running Roman Mavlanov, so that's one seat filled.

Judging from testing, either Nigel Melker or Tio Ellinas could end up at either Tech 1 or ISR as I see Melker certainly tested for both. As for the second Comtec machine, it only got a run out for Liam Venter in the first test otherwise it hasn't turned a wheel.

It could well be a case of whoever is kicking about Monza with their kit-bag and a suitcase full of Euros gets a go!

[Mekola]

el_cat, that's why I suggested them as drivers in the FR 3.5 predictions thread.

[Go_For_Pole]

Well, in the end no-one turned up, Zeta apart. Certainly a black eye for Renault Sport. With the benefit of hindsight targeting GP2 head on was a big, big mistake.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by chunterer

I'm looking forward to his much more than GP2 over the last few seasons as I always get the feeling that what you see happening is the real form as opposed to some random lottery (ironically like this series used to suffer from but doesn't anymore!).

I see where you're coming from, but the cream definitely rises to the top in GP2 over the course of the season. What you see as a lottery, I see as complexity in setting up cars and managing tyres over the course of a race distance. Given what F1 is now, this is essential for a feeder series, and I don't quite think 3.5 can really offer that.

I just hope the racing is a bit more like 2012; last year was a bit processional and dull for my liking. I know people will think the high tyre deg of GP2 makes the racing impure, but it's gripping. Motorsport is in the entertainment business at the end of the day, and that doesn't square with the processions that we've seen in 3.5 and F3 lately. Even with a not great driver lineup this year, I am confident that 3.5 can deliver though. Sainz always makes things tasty at the very least!

[kotkot]

A not great lineup? Because Ferra... Marciello chose GP2?

Sainz, Sirotkin, Rowland and Gasly are massive talents without a doubt. Norman Nato has never been really good as a rookie in his career, his second seasons show massive improvement from him. Ghiotto was one of the best Eurocup FR2.0 champions last year, Buller has always been good, anywhere he races, Sorensen and Stevens are established, fast driver with F1 connections, Laine and Stockinger both proved themselves in GP3 two years ago, Vaxiviere is a French F4 champion, preceded by a certain Stoffel Vandoorne, Merhi is an F3 champ, Jaafar was British F3 runner-up behind Jack Harvey. Visser is also talented, even if her move to FR3.5 is a too big step.

I have just listed 15 driver out of 21 drivers. The field is great. Maybe the hyped, slightly overrated Marciello and FR3.5 graduate Vandoorne is now in GP2, but in-depth Formula Renault 3.5 is just as good as GP2.

[p-matt]

I can't agree. None of these drivers are a step away from F1, with the exception of perhaps Sainz and Sirotkin. But both have a lot to prove this year - Sainz needs to stop getting involved in silly accidents and Sirotkin needs to deliver a consistent season at the front. The Eurocup graduates don't look to be in the same league as Frijns or Vandoorne either. Buller, Sorensen, Stevens, Laine, Jaafar, Stockinger haven't shown consistency in junior formulae and their results to date don't suggest that they have a long term future in single seater racing. If they were in the GP2 field they would be labelled as journeymen by many on here.

It is a shame Ferrari chose GP2 for Lello, because he looked mega in pre-season testing in the 3.5 car.

[skells22]

big crash just happen, i wonder who will be blame in this flip

[Formulahistory]

we have just 21 cars in Monza - is that a negative record?

and just one guy who could win a race in the past (Sörensen), must also be a negative record?

[Starfish Primer]

I´m really happy with Roberto Merhi´s result. A good position in QF and a 2nd wasn´t expected after a not very bright testing season.

[fergus_r]

Disappointing to see the small grid and I have to agree with p-matt, the quality of drivers is not great.

For example Will Buller, he is average at best, his years in F3 never came to anything special and I haven't seen anything which proves his worth in FR 3.5.

He finished fourth at Monza today, which on paper doesn't look bad, but then you have to remember he has six years of car racing behind him...and he is competing against drivers with significantly less experience!

[codename_47]

Originally Posted by skells22

big crash just happen, i wonder who will be blame in this flip

Definitely Ja'fa (cree!), and the stewards have agreed.

However he himself thinks he should be allowed to move into the car that's got an overlap alongside him and expects it to move out of his way, based on his press statement.
I know drivers have to have a degree of self confidence to get them to the top, but the way he puts it borders on the delusional!

[skells22]

at least the 2nd race was a lot cleaner and thank you BT sport for showing it live. i will not spoil the result due to people that did not have BT sport and are waiting for the Eurospot UK TV to show the race