Prema Powerteam had a rainy and challenging day at the Pau street course, home of the second round of the 2016 FIA F.3 European Championship. The Italian squad cruised to pole position with Lance Stroll in qualifying for race 1. Nick Cassidy also left a strong impression and will start from the second row. Maximilian Gunther proved consistent too and will line-up in row 3.

The Prema drivers did a good job in qualifying 2 starting from Stroll, who took second place of his group (due to the tight and twisty nature of the circuit, the drivers were divided in two). The Canadian will start race 2 from the second row while, thanks to his second fastest laptime, the best in the group, he clinched a front row position for race 3.

Cassidy will start behind him in both occasions. Due to a mistake, Gunther will start from the back while rookie Ralf Aron, running on a street track for the first time, put up a solid performance throughout the day.

# 1 - Lance Stroll:

“In the first qualifying session with a wet racetrack I’ve been quick straight away and then improved lap by lap to score the pole. I have to say that after practice things weren’t looking great because the guys were facing some unexpected troubles on the car. However, they have been brilliant in solving the issues so quickly so I could fight for the pole since the first few laps. The Q2 session has been challenging. At the beginning, the asphalt was a little more dry, then the clouds came and with them the rain. It was important to set early laptimes but it wasn’t easy on cold tires. Actually I didn’t manage to set a quick lap immediately and I was fearing the rain, but a little sun in the closing stages enabled me to make it up. I was on the limit and I almost crashed a couple of times, but it has been a positive day with a pole in Q1 and a second position in my group in Q2. We hope to complete the job on race day”.

# 2 - Nick Cassidy:

“Generally speaking it’s been a positive day as it was my first time at Pau. I was second in practice, a great result, and I did a good job in Q1 too. I’m satisfied with my position. We have been unlucky in Q2. The performance was good but it was jeopardized by the yellow and red flags. We could have done more, but it’s been a solid day anyway”.

# 16 - Ralf Aron:

“In Q1 I had a good pace compared to my rivals. Then I tried to push a little more but I made two mistakes and ruined the lap each time. I was left with two attempts but I was forced to slow down by the yellow flags and my last lap turned out to be the best and the only clean one I posted. Due to the mistakes I lost a little confident and I tried to end the lap without crashing. As a result, my position wasn’t the best. In Q2 it went better, I got some confidence back and at one point I was second. In the closing stages, two drivers got in front and I ended up fourth. I want to thank the team for the help they provided me throughout the weekend. It’s my first time on a street track and the car feels great”.

# 17 - Maximilian Gunther:

“In Q1 I suffered from a visor issue. I couldn’t see well and that created quite some issues. In the closing stages, things improved so I went for some quick laps. Sixth place overall is not what I hoped for, but it’s OK anyway. In Q2 I had a great feeling with the car straight away, but I lost it in a corner. Up to that point, the pace was great and it’s been a pity to crash: the asphalt was improving and staying on-track was key”.

Canadians In BOLD