Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF) takes first 2017 pole at Jerez
A smooth and trouble-free qualifying 1 session handed Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF) his first pole of the year in round 4 of the World Series Formula V8 3.5 at the Spanish venue. The Russian was the first to break the 1 minute 27 second barrier and then fended off the attack of his contenders. Ending up second, Israeli racer Roy Nissany (RP Motorsport) left a strong impression securing a positive front row start for Race 1 in Spain.
Pietro Fittipladi (Lotus) hit some traffic late and finished P3 in a good showing overall. Japanese Yu Kanamaru (RP Motorsport) took fourth place while the top-5 was rounded out by Force India Formula 1 third driver Alfonso Celis Jr. (Fortec Motorsports). Diego Menchaca (Fortec Motorsports) was the fastest rookie of the pack and will start race 1 from the fourth row.
After an unexpectedly foggy morning, sunshine quickly made its way over the track in time for qualifying 1 providing a perfect environment for further gains compared to yesterday. At the mid point, it was Nissany to lead from Matevos Isaakyan (SMP Racing by AVF). Orudzhev was third followed by Fittipaldi, Binder (Lotus), Celis Jr. and Menchaca.
Egor Orudzhev (SMP Racing by AVF)
“It was a good lap, and I still could improve a few tenths so that’s promising. Big thanks to SMP Racing and to the AVF guys who completely rebuilt the car after the last rounds, putting a new tub, new gearbox and also changed engine before so they did a great job and I hope I can repay them in the race.”
Roy Nissany (RP Motorsport)
“It all went good and it was a positive qualifying session. In the first run we felt even better and the car handled very very good. Then in the second run there was some fine tuning to be made but it’s still a great front row and we look forward to the race.”
Pietro Fittipaldi (Lotus)
“I’m not so happy because I struggled a little bit with traffic during the second run on new tires. In the first lap we were purple in sector 1 but we couldn’t put everything together in sector 2 and then in the second lap we got traffic. That’s the way it was though. For sure we will be quick in the race and with a good start we will push as hard as we can.”
Diego Menchaca (Fortec Motorsports)
“With the first set it was really bad, way off, then with the second set it was incredible, I was less than four tenths off in P8. I found something on the data and I gave it all, and a tenth an a half would have put me P3. Now we will look at the data again and try to improve. A little experience in this situation helps, I have to keep pushing and tomorrow, if we work properly, there is the chance to get pole.”
Source :http://www.worldseriesv8.com
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