Strong showing in Spain for Sandy

Starting from 14^th of the 38 car Formula Renault 2.0 grid, Sandy’s highest qualifying position this season, the young Thai racer knew he would have a tough challenge for the race, but one he was fully ready to take on. As the red lights went out and race 13 got underway down the long Catalunya straight, Sandy had an awesome start and immediately started challenging forward. Coming through turn 2 he was forced wide onto the gravel and lost some of the gained positions, but still kept the momentum going.

Over the next laps Sandy showed he could match the pace of the cars around him and held his position. By lap 5 he was running strongly in 18^th position, only 0.6 seconds per lap slower than race leader Carlos Sainz, when he was forced wide exiting turn 8 and launched his car up in the air on the high curbs. The ensuing damage to the car saw his lap times dropping radically and Sandy found himself sliding down the order until he finally took the checkered flag after 16 laps in 24^th position. The race was won by Spaniard Javier Tarancon, with fellow Spanish Carlos Sainz in second and Russian racer Danil Kvyat in third.

Although disappointed in losing out on such a good start to the race, Sandy was encouraged by his strongest race times and best qualifying position for the year. Sunday morning will see another qualifying session at the Catalunya Circuit in preparation for the season ending race 14. Sandy is again stoked and ready to push to the maximum for a good season ending performance.