A rookie season is not easy in any championship and it applies also to the Formula Renault 3.5. The fifth round of the championship took place on the well known track at Magny Cours. However, both Jan Charouz and Walter Grubmueller jun. had had very limited experience with this track. All drivers also have to cope with changing weather conditions. It was not easy to select the right tyres and many drivers did smaller or bigger mistakes. Jan and Walter had bad luck this time.
The Austrian driver had to see a doctor on Thursday due to sickness after a meal in Nevers. He was not feeling completely well in the Friday’s practices. Also his Czech team-mate had problems to find the rhythm. Jan Charouz made a mistake in the qualifying and was last on the grid of the Saturday’s race. He moved up to 20th during the race but had to retire and also Grubmueller did see the flag.
Sunday brought 16th place on the grid for Charouz and 20th for Grubmueller but the Austrian was demoted to the last place after a decision of the stewards. Charouz was following the group fighting for 11th place and tried to overtake on lap 15. The attack did not pay of and he dropped to 17th place where he finished the race. Grubmueller was just ahead on 16th place.
The P1 Motorsport youngsters left Magny Cours without points but with important experience not only for the rest of the season but also for next year.
Jan Charouz: “It was really bad racing weekend. We did not put it together at all. It is not about a single reason it is a combination of all factors together. There was poor weather, bad luck and also I was not able to find the right racing rhythm and felt tired. I am obviously disappointed and I hope we will turn it in the next event of the World Series by Renault.”
Walter Grubmueller jun.: “Weather forecast said that I would be raining after the start and we put on wet tyres but subsequently it turned out that it was not a good decision. We had to change not two but all four tyres for slicks during the mandatory pitstop. I cost a bit of time but I still moved up to 16th. My lap times were reasonably good but it was not enough to get better result. The positive thing is gaining experience on the track where we had not tested. I will be helpful for next season.”
PHOTOGALLERY
Please, quote the author
Jan Charouz
Photo: BPA/Insight F1
Jan Charouz
Photo: BPA/Insight F1
Jan Charouz
Photo: BPA/Insight F1
Jan Charouz
Photo: BPA/Insight F1
Walter Grubmüller jun.
Photo: Paolo Pellegrini
Walter Grubmüller jun.
Photo: Paolo Pellegrini
2010 WORLD SERIES BY RENAULT SCHEDULE
| 16/04-18/04 |  |
Motorland |
| 30/04-02/05 |  |
Spa-Francorchamps |
| 13/05-16/05 |  |
Monaco |
| 04/06-06/06 |  |
Brno |
| 18/06-20/06 |  |
Magny-Cours |
| 02/07-04/07 |  |
Hungaroring |
| 03/09-05/09 |  |
Nürburgring |
| 17/09-19/09 |  |
Silverstone |
| 08/10-10/10 | |
Catalunya |
P1 MOTORSPORT DRIVERS LINE-UP
| #5 |  |
Walter Grubmüller jun. |
| #6 | |
Jan Charouz |
