Formula Renault 3.5

Magnussen Takes Second Spa Pole

2 Mins read
Kevin Magnussen battles against the Belgian rain (Photo Credit: Vincent Curutchet/DPPI)

Kevin Magnussen battles against the Belgian rain (Photo Credit: Vincent Curutchet/DPPI)

The events of race one did not hinder the pace of Kevin Magnussen, who was undeterred in the wet conditions and made it two pole positions out of two in Spa.

Rain descended on the Ardennes valleys but that would not stop the Dane taking pole ahead of Robin Frijns and Sam Bird. The latter had his time removed, though, as the ISR car ran out of fuel ensuring Bird would start at the back of the field.

However, the glory belonged to Magnussen who is desperate to convert pole into a win at the second time of asking. He said: “After my pole in the dry yesterday, I'm very pleased to have set this pole in the rain.”

“For me pole means a lot even if it doesn't bring me any points. It's very important. Yesterday, I wasn't very lucky in the race so I have to make up for that today.  If it rains being on pole gives me a big advantage.”

Spa is notorious for its unpredictable weather and the treacherous conditions certainly affected the drivers out on the track.

Although second, some six tenths down on Magnussen’s effort, Frijns described the perils of the Belgian circuit in wet conditions.

He said: “I couldn't see anything out there! I didn't even know my position, first or last, I had no idea. It was impossible to see the braking points and as for grip, forget it!

“It's great being on the front row and I'll have to make a good start. If it rains it's the type of race where you have to avoid the traps to score points.”

In Bird’s absence, Jules Bianchi completed the top three and after a difficult start to the season for Lewis Williamson a ray of light appeared with a stunning lap top claim fourth spot on the grid for Arden Caterham.

An excellent lap in the closing stages saw Comtec‘s Nick Yelloly take fifth with fellow former GP3 driver Nico Muller completing row three.

 

Pos Driver Team Time Gap
 1.  Kevin Magnussen     Carlin      2m18.733s
 2.  Robin Frijns        Fortec      2m19.431s  + 0.698s
 3.  Sam Bird            ISR         2m19.605s  + 0.872s*
 4.  Jules Bianchi       Tech 1      2m19.800s  + 1.067s
 5.  Lewis Williamson    Arden       2m19.801s  + 1.068s
 6.  Nick Yelloly        Comtec      2m19.999s  + 1.266s
 7.  Nico Muller         Draco       2m20.139s  + 1.406s
 8.  Walter Grubmuller   P1          2m20.195s  + 1.462s
 9.  Jake Rosenzweig     ISR         2m20.477s  + 1.744s
10.  Daniil Move         P1          2m20.560s  + 1.827s
11.  Marco Sorensen      Lotus       2m20.872s  + 2.139s
12.  Will Stevens        Carlin      2m20.962s  + 2.229s
13.  Anton Nebylitskiy   RFR         2m20.985s  + 2.252s
14.  Alexander Rossi     Arden       2m20.996s  + 2.263s
15.  Kevin Korjus        Tech 1      2m21.027s  + 2.294s
16.  Richie Stanaway     Lotus       2m21.169s  + 2.436s
17.  Vittorio Ghirelli   Comtec      2m21.373s  + 2.640s
18.  Arthur Pic          DAMS        2m21.752s  + 3.019s
19.  Carlos Huertas      Fortec      2m21.832s  + 3.099s
20.  Andre Negrao        Draco       2m21.900s  + 3.167s
21.  Nikolay Martsenko   BVM Target  2m23.038s  + 4.305s
22.  Zoel Amberg         Pons        2m23.060s  + 4.327s
23.  Yann Cunha          Pons        2m23.198s  + 4.465s
24.  Giovanni Venturini  BVM Target  2m24.742s  + 6.009s
25.  Mikhail Aleshin     RFR         2m25.243s  + 6.510s
26.  Lucas Foresti       DAMS        2m29.085s + 10.352s
* times removed
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