ISR’s stunning record in Monte-Carlo was updated today with an amazing third place finish clinched by Jazeman Jaafar. The Malaysian talent, who had qualified second in yesterday’s timed session, drove a masterful race, making the most of the ISR-prepared car to clinch his second podium finish in a row in Monaco. Jazeman’s only mistake came at the start, when a slow reaction saw him slip to P3. After that, anyway, Jaafar’s performance was a perfect example of race management: with Carlos Sainz Jr. pushing hard from behind, putting pressure on the ISR car hoping for Jazeman to make a mistake, the Petronas-backed driver focused on controlling the gap, managing his pace and his tyres flawlessly to finish the race without giving his fellow rival a single shot at an overtaking move.
For ISR, Monaco’s podium finish is the best way to prepare for the championship’s next race. Next weekend another legendary track awaits the Czech team and the whole F.Renault 3.5 paddock: Spa-Francorchamps.
Jazeman Jaafar: “I don’t feel my start was that bad, simply Sorensen had a quicker reaction and he managed to get through. After that, in the first laps I tried to keep contact with him, but when I saw that Sainz was pushing very hard behind me I realized that controlling the race was the most clever thing to do. I focused on managing my pace in order to never let him get close enough to pull a move, and it worked well. Getting on the podium in Monaco twice in a row is a great feeling, this race is really special”.
Igor Salaquarda: “After our win back in 2012 it’s good to go back home with another trophy. I’m really proud of what Jaafar did today. Maybe his start wasn’t the best in the world, but apart from that he was great, the way he managed the race was nothing short of amazing. Now we must keep momentum, we want to cheer again next week in Spa”.