Charles Pic forced to retire with engine problems at Abu Dhabi

After a sensational qualifying performance from rookie Charles Pic yesterday, which saw the Frenchman out-qualify team-mate Timo Glock and the Caterham of Vitaly Petrov, the 22-year-old endured a tough 55-lap race. After loosing out at the start, the Frenchman was eventually forced into retirement due to engine issues on lap 41.

At the start of the race, Charles Pic lost ground to team-mate Timo Glock and the Caterham of Vitaly Petrov. Despite a competitive battle throughout the early stages of the race between the Marussia driver and Vitaly Petrov, Caterham’s KERS advantage saw the Russian driver open up a gap to Charles Pic. The Frenchman’s race was made all the more difficult with a frustrating pit-stop, before Pic was finally forced into retirement during the closing stages of the race.

“It was a very tough but exciting race today.” Explained Charles Pic, who has greatly impressed many in the paddock so far this season. “I was in a good battle with Vitaly and I came close to overtaking him on several occasions. Unfortunately we couldn’t quite meet the challenge of his KERS advantage. Our pitstop was not quite perfect, which is a shame as a slick stop could have helped us to jump him. Overall I am pleased that I could enjoy a good battle with one of the Caterhams; it’s just unfortunate that we had to retire because of the engine problem. Generally I have to say it has been a very positive weekend.”

As Charles Pic’s debut season in Formula 1 draws to a conclusion, speculation still surrounds the Frenchman as to where he will end up in 2013. Both Caterham and Marussia could be potential options for Pic, who is remaining focused on the final two races of the season, at two tracks the Marussia driver has yet to race on.

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