Formula Renault 3.5

Pic Endures Disappointing Spa Weekend

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Arthur Pic at Spa-Francorchamps (Photo Credit: Frederic Le Floch/DPPI)

Arthur Pic at Spa-Francorchamps (Photo Credit: Frederic Le Floch/DPPI)

It is easy to forget that Arthur Pic took pole position in the opening to races of the season at Motorland.

Since then, the Frenchman has drifted off the radar slightly and despite showing plenty of pace in Spa was ultimately disappointed with his weekend.

Pic qualified tenth for race one and tangled with Kevin Magnussen into LA Source whilst running fifth and in race two spun into retirement in the treacherous conditions.

The DAMS driver accepted fault for his retirement in the latter but opted to keep his views to himself regarding his clash with Magnussen on Saturday.

He said: “Friday's free practice sessions went quite well and I had the pace to run in the top five. But we then went the wrong way on set-up for qualifying which is why, in the end, I was happy to line-up in P10.

“Fortunately I made a good start and gained a few places. The car felt good and I was amongst the fastest out there before the safety car period. It was obviously disappointing therefore to have the incident with Magnussen.

“I wasn't trying to overtake him and maintained the racing line when he closed the door. Let's just say we had a misunderstanding. 

“Sunday's heavy rain meant we had to find a new set-up during qualifying. A problem with the DRS made the situation worse, which explained our low grid position. Because of that we opted for an early pit-stop in the race.

It would have been the right strategic call because I re-joined just behind Sam Bird who went on to finish fifth. The car still wasn't quite right in those tricky conditions and, unfortunately, three laps later I span at Turn 9. It was my fault.

“Before the next round I will be at DAMS' factory in Le Mans where we will have a proper debrief and try to understand our lack of performance in the rain.

“We have great dry pace but we are not as competitive as we should be in the wet. It is better to be prepared should that happen again this year.”

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