Zeta Corse once again proved the team’s extremely high potential at the Nurburgring. In Day 2 of the World Series Renault weekend at the German venue the weather was again a concern, but a foggy start didn’t cost the drivers precious running time. The race was complicated by the rain, especially in the closing stages, but in the trickiest conditions the skills of Roberto Merhi played once again a major role. The 23-year-old Spaniard from Castellón delivered a masterful performance, starting from fourth place and recovering up to the runner-up spot. In the final lap, his run was impressive and he even accomplished a stunning move on rival and fellow rookie Oliver Rowland. As a consequence, Roberto also got the trophy for the best rookie.
Russian racer Roman Mavlanov also managed the tricky conditions very well and left a good impression. He lapped consistently, keeping Pierre Gasly at bay until a contact involved both of them in a passing attempt by the Frenchman. Roman didn’t back down though. He got back on-track and started recovering hard, turning one of the fastest laps of the race and setting the tone for further improvement tomorrow.
Qualifying 2 will go underway at 9:15 AM, followed by Race 2 at 12:35
Roberto Merhi – Q1: P4 – R1: P2 (P1 Rookies)
“It’s been a good race. In the last lap with the rain falling I tried to attack and give everything I had. I managed to pass Rowland for second, and I was even a little surprised because he slowed down quite a bit. Anyway we’re working in the right direction, and doing good progress both in terms of the team and the driver. We are in an extremely positive situation if we consider where we started at the end of the year and it confirms that the team did a fantastic job. I didn’t think we could win today because, especially in the dry, we still lack some speed. I hope we will make a further step tomorrow for Race 2″.
Roman Mavlanov – Q1: 19 – R1: 17
“It wasn’t a bad race for me until the closing stages, when I was involved in a contact. At that point, I was able to lap in clean air and put up a great pace, scored one of the quickest laps of the race and set the best second sector of the field. Although I’m satisfied with that, I reckon we have to improve a lot. Especially in qualifying because it’s very important. I’m determined in being more focused tomorrow in Q2 and with a better starting position I’m sure we can stay much higher in the charts”.