Formula 3 Euro Series 2005 - R2 Pau - Race Round-Up

After a two-week break, on the city circuit of Pau, at the foot of the Pyrenees, the 65th Pau Grand Prix took place. It was valid as second round for the Formula 3 Euro Series 2005 Championship. Prema was always competitive with its three drivers from the beginning of the free tests. Unfortunately the breakage of the front-wheel suspensions, due to a contact with the city circuit pavement, affected important results that were within reach. In the free tests Franck Perera was soon among the protagonists and obtained the third and fifth overall chronometric results in the two sessions, respectively. Marco and Greg also felt self-confident with the city walls and Marco marked the sixth and twelfth times while Greg had the ninth and fourteenth. In the qualifying sessions, on account of the characteristics of the circuit, the drivers were divided into two groups. In group A, Marco Bonanomi was soon in the lead but went out of track ten minutes before the end of the session. In the second qualifying he again was off track and damaged the vehicle. Anyway, he finished in eighth and seventh position, respectively. In group B, Franck Perera, soon among the protagonists, obtained the third position in the first session and the second in the second, demonstrating his - and the team's - competitiveness. It was a positive race for Greg, who finished the qualifying sessions with the eighth and seventh overall times, complaining because he was not able to complete his best lap. Race 1: A good start for Frenchman Perera who soon was in the second position. Unluckily he broke the suspension and was forced to retire. Marco, after a good start from the fourteenth position, in the first lap was eighth but had to retire due to a contact with the wall. Greg Franchi, unfortunately moved before the red light turned off and was penalised with a drive-through. This certainly affected a possible arrival in the scoring zone. In Race 2 there were not particular surprises. Franck Perera finished sixth, Marco tenth and Greg had to retired as he broke the suspension.

Angelo Rosin, Prema Team Principal: "It was an unfortunate weekend. We were not able to demonstrate our potentialities. In Spa we must absolute regain the positions which suit our characteristics."

Marco Bonanomi: "Unlucky weekend. The vehicles were good and there were the potentialities to succeed but unfortunately the break of the front suspension influenced the final result."

Greg Franchi: "After the disappointing round of Hockenheim, here I was competitive. Unluckily, due to my mistake in Race1, where I moved before, and the break of the suspension in Race 2 did not allow me to finish the race."

Franck Perera: "The weekend had started quite well. The qualifying sessions were positive. Finally I made the third and second fastest absolute times. Race 1 was going fine till the break of the front suspension forced me to retire. Nothing particular in race 2. Now we must react and get ready for Spa where it will be necessary to show our real potentiality."