Like Silverstone two weeks ago, the French team left Hungary with the feeling that it was quick enough but the results didn’t follow. A certain lack of success and unfavourable race circumstances meant that Arthur Pic could do no better than fifth and sixth, while Lucas Foresti, despite obvious progress, finished just outside the points. The first practice session took place on a greasy track. Luckily it was dry for the second one and this helped the team to find the right setups. In the first qualifying session, Pic set an excellent fourth-quickest time with Foresti in thirteenth place.
The Frenchman got off to a good start to the first race, but came under pressure from Da Costa and made a small mistake that cost him fourth place. Lucas made an excellent getaway gaining three positions and he fought off Sam Bird for a long time. He then braked too late and the Englishman nipped through the gap, so the Brazilian rookie had to do with an encouraging eleventh place.
The team again showed its level of performance in Sunday morning’s qualifying session. Although Pic had the potential to clinch pole Lady Luck didn’t smile on him as he was slowed by the yellow flag on his final flyer. Nonetheless, he still set the third-fastest time.
Foresti was very close to his team-mate’s time, but given the extremely competitive nature of the FR 3.5 Championship he found himself in fifteenth place. The outcome of the second race was decided when the lights went out as Robin Frijns on pole made a complete mess of his start just in front of Arthur who lost three places in the incident. The Frenchman was then locked in battle with the Dutchman throughout the race on a circuit where overtaking is well nigh impossible, and he finished sixth after leader Magnussen’s retirement on the last lap. His Brazilian team-mate saw the flag in thirteenth spot after a steady race in which he set good times.
Jean-Paul Driot, PDG: “We really lack just that little bit of luck. The whole team did a great job and the car was on the pace. Arthur had a couple of good races, but the nature of the circuit and the fact that Frijns almost stalled in front of him in the second event deprived him of a good result. On the other hand, Lucas is making progress and he deserved to score points. He’ll make up for it at the next meeting.”
Arthur Pic: “It wasn’t too bad a weekend although it could have been better. I was good in qualifying and the car was quick. In race one I made a small mistake which cost me fourth place, but I just lacked that little extra to match the speed of the leaders. On Sunday, it’s a pity that Frijns fluffed his start. I lost a lot of ground and despite a super pit stop – well done lads! – I wasn’t able to make up places. We’re going to work hard to fight for the podium at the next round in France.”
Lucas Foresti: “I’m disappointed that I didn’t score any points. In terms of performance, though, I feel I’ve improved, in particular on Saturday. On Sunday my times in qualifying and in the race were better. Even if the results don’t show it I think that things are falling into place, and I’m optimistic about the coming races.”
Next round at Le Castellet on the Paul Ricard circuit on 29-30 September 2012.