ART GP leaves Spa empty-handed

ART Grand Prix had a difficult weekend at the Spa Francorchamps circuit, with a tough qualifying setting the stage for what was to come.

With a thunderstorm, heavy rain and four safety car periods, it was a sign of things to come as the team eventually left the Belgium track without a single point to their credit for the first time this season.

In race one, Jules Bianchi, who was returning from an injury sustained in Hungary, had reasonable pace and he managed to master his first aim, seeing the chequered flag, even if it was outside the points.

Meanwhile, teammate Sam Bird was the innocent victim of a collision at the start of the first race, which it ruined the rest of his weekend. Even though he was stuck in traffic for race two, he ended up with the 5th fastest race lap, set on lap 6 when the track was still slightly damp, displaying his obvious potential.

Jules Bianchi: “After several weeks of pain, doubt and recovery, I was delighted that the doctors gave me the green light to race in Spa. It was a necessary and beneficial step but the conditions were not there for us to find the position we deserved among the front runners. I’m sure we’ll be back to normal in Monza.”

Sam Bird: “Well, from now on the most important thing is to get rid of lady bad luck! I can’t believe I had so many bad stories this summer and Spa was no different with Clos ramming into the back of me coming out of La Source. As everybody knows the first race result is the key to the outcome of the second race and from the last spot of the grid I knew it would be a struggle on Sunday. Still, I had some good fights and gained many positions. I’m looking forward to beating this bad luck in Monza.”

Frédéric Vasseur: “There were too many discordant factors in Spa to make this weekend a successful one. Jules just came back from a serious injury and needs time to find his confidence again, Sam was unlucky once again when he was hit by another car at the start of the first race and the weather did not help them handle a qualifying session which was more a lottery than anything else. The most important thing is that these factors are not down to ART Grand Prix and that the team is working well and is always competitive.”