NEWS


Modified Qualifying Format Causes Frustration in Monaco
2010-05-16


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P1 Motorsport has successfully qualified for the Monaco round of the 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Championship, with Walter Grubmüller Jr in 16th position and team mate Jan Charouz just behind him in 17th place.

Qualifying around the streets of Monte Carlo uses a modified format, compared with a regular World Series by Renault event. The drivers are split into two groups, and each group is given 25 minutes on-track. The fastest overall time will take pole position, with the fastest driver from the other group lining-up in second position. The second-fastest driver from the pole-winning group takes third place, the second-fastest driver from the other group takes fourth, and so on. Grubmullüller Jr took eighth position in the pole-position winning group, with Charouz ninth in the other group, seeing them start from 16th and 17th respectively.
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Charouz commented on the result: “I’m disappointed because qualifying did not go as we had hoped. Furthermore, the Monte Carlo qualifying has different format, with two groups qualifying separately and each group deciding the order for one side of the grid. This means though, that I will be on the grid behind drivers who were a quite a bit slower than me. Overtaking is extremely difficult on this street circuit, so I’m really disappointed.”

The only race from the Monaco event will take place on Sunday morning, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix.