Formula Renault: A weekend of mixed feelings

Macau owned Asia Racing Racing had a mixed feelings weekend at yesterday’s AFR Series Round 1 and 2 at the Zhuhai International Circuit. Championship contender Chi Cong Li battled a mysterious problem that appeared to be electronic related to finish 2nd on Race 2. Teammate Thomas Chow managed to complete his first ever race.

The nightmare started with Asia Racing Team enduring a terrible Qualifying session. Chi Cong Li set the pace during the two official Free Practice sessions but was to be betrayed in Qualifying by his engine, fading out of power. 55 years old Chow hadn’t better luck and was forced to park his car before the end due to a driveshaft failure. Chi Cong Li managed to qualify 3rd and Chow was 9th and last.

Replacing the Renault 2.0 liter unit on the car number 3 didn’t solve the fading power problem. Limited by his engine, Chi Cong Li quickly moved to second and he would stay there until the checkered flag. In the end of the race, the Chinese prodigy was penalized in 30 seconds for alleged jump-start, moving him back to 6th.

The Race 2 was far more straightforward. Chi Cong Li climbed three positions at the start. One lap later; he overtook the car in front. Knowing that the leader was going to be penalized for jump-start, Chi Cong Li tried to keep his position. Fighting with uncooperative car, the Guangzhou man wasn’t able to put valuable yards between himself and his chasers, and was demoted by an opponent with four laps to go, finishing 2nd. Despite all of the problems, Chi Cong Li conquered the Asian Drivers Trophy first position.

Sadly Chow didn’t take part of Race 1 after spinning on the warm up lap. Still inexperienced as a race driver, Chow calmly approached each corner of the Race 2 to finish on a clean 8th .

The next AFR Series race on the schedule is on May 28 and 29, once again at the Zhuhai International Circuit.

#3 Chi Cong Li (CHN)

Qualifying: 3rd

Race 1: 6th

Race 2: 2nd

“We struggled with lack of power all weekend. They say I slightly moved on Race 1 start and I respect the stewards’ decision. I did a very good start in Race 2 but my car was losing power lap after lap. I hold the black car (Juan Arenas) for a couple of laps but it was impossible to keep him behind forever. At the end of the day I know that my team did their best in every way possible to make sure that the problem was solved. I guess we’ve got to have had some bad luck at some point and unfortunately it was today.”

#20 Thomas Chow (HK)

Qualifying: 9th

Race 1: DNS

Race 2: 8th

“It was my first race weekend and it was all new to me. I was disappointed initially because of what happened in Race 1. Definitely I have to exercise my left foot braking. I managed to stay in the track in Race 2. I was not pushing, just avoiding doing any mistake. I know I have a lot to learn but hopefully I can build from here.”