The World Series by Renault championship took off in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 60,000 on the very technical track of Alcaniz in Spain.
Nelson Panciatici, comfortable with his new team KMP Racing managed by ex-driver Bruno Besson, started the weekend well with the best time in the first session of free practice on Friday. A good omen for the qualifiers for Race 1, during which Nelson made 6th time.
Feeling confident, the driver from Asnieres sur Seine did have a superb race and garnered the first podium of the season for the young team of KMP Racing. Nelson Panciatici overtook his opponents before prowling behind the Canadian, Robert Wickens, right up to the flag, to take second place.
During the second qualifiers, Nelson confirmed his level of performance with a 4th best time. Bruno Bessons instructions for Race 2 were to reach the podium and start collecting big points.
Right from the start, Nelson Panciatici followed the rhythm of the first three without a hitch until to a fuel pressure problem caused him to abandon in the 8th lap.
The KMP Racing teams disappointment was fortunately lessened by the appreciable progress of his co-driver, Anton Nebylitskiy who finished 6th.
Nelson Panciatici: We immediately found the right rhythm. I passed practically all the sessions at the top of the time sheet, we are getting results in the qualifiers and the race. Its good for morale! Even if our abandon costs us some precious points in the championship, I prefer to stay positive because we have a high-performance car which is important for what comes next. Mechanical breakdowns are part of the race, we have to accept that and theres nothing we can do about it anyway!
Bruno Besson, KMP Racing Team Manager, said: We worked well during free practice and found a good set-up for the qualifiers during which gaps are very small and the least error or
problem can lose a lot of places on the grid. Nelson had a very good first race, no faults and he moved up well. For the second race, as Nelson was holding 4thplace with ease, waiting for his pit stop, the fuel pump broke which led to his abandon. Nelson is nevertheless well placed in the championship and I cant wait to go to Spa Francorchamps to score big points in both races this time!
The next meeting in the World Series by Renault is indeed on the mythical track of Spa Francorchamps on the 29th, 30th April and 1st May.
For more information on Nelson Panciatici, please visit www.nelsonpancia.com.