This weekend, Kevin Korjus and Richie Stanaway were racing in Monaco in the second round of the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series, a curtain-raiser to the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Kevin Korjus already knew this very specific city circuit as he had raced here last year while it was Richie Stanaway’s maiden outing. The New Zealander’s debut began with contact with the guardrail in free practice. He was on his way to a points-scoring finish when he had to retire after an off provoked by a technical problem.

Korjus drove a solid race. He started from seventh place, moved up to fourth and contested the final place on the podium till the chequered flag. The twelve points he scored have promoted him to fifth in the drivers’ championship.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series - Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying: 7th – race: 4th
Championship standing: 5th / 24 points
“Overall it hasn’t been too bad a weekend from the points-scoring aspect, and also in terms of our performance. I was rather disappointed with qualifying as we know it’s very difficult to overtake in Monaco. My car was really quick in the race. I made a good start and I also took advantage of a few race incidents. When I was fourth I upped the pressure on Alexander Rossi for several laps but he didn’t put a foot wrong. I lost contact with him in the traffic and I decided to consolidate my position. We’re in the battle for the title and I can’t wait for the Spa round followed by the Nürburgring, my favourite circuit. After that we’ll really know where we stand.”

Richie Stanaway (NZL)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series - Lotus
Qualifying: 15th – Race: Rtd
Championship standing: 14th/ 8 points
“I have to admit that my first outing in Monaco was a pretty hectic one! My weekend finished as it had begun – against the guardrail in the Swimming Pool corner, except that in the race it was due to a technical problem as the accelerator jammed open. The fact of not running in free practice cost me dearly. I learned the track in qualifying and that made things more complicated. In the race I was pretty quick and I managed to fight back to tenth place. It was all going well until the problem with the accelerator. But you have to look on the positive side of things as I gathered experience. I can’t wait to come back here and race again. The next round on the Spa-Francorchamps circuit will be a different kettle of fish as I know the track really well. It’s good to be taking part in these two races in quick succession.”