Charles Pic hindered by traffic in the third sector
While on his flying lap, Charles Pic was hindered in sector 3, losing 8 tenths on his estimated time. Without this, the Frenchman might have been able to reach Q2, just like his teammate Giedo Van der Garde. Nevertheless, Charles Pic will start 18th, his best qualification this season.
In a press conference, Charles Pic seemed rather satisfied with his qualifying session, although he admits that without traffic, things could have been different: « We could have done better, that’s for sure. The car was well-balanced, it worked well with the intermediate tires. »
Pic was outpaced in qualifying for the second time this season by his teammate, Giedo Van der Garde. The Frenchman explains that he was particularly hindered by traffic: I only had one lap left to set a good time after putting on our second set of intermediates. The first and second sectors were very good, we were two-tenths ahead of Giedo [Van der Garde]’s time and then we got a bit of traffic in the last sector; I lost eight-tenths compared to him. It’s a shame because I could have done better. Now we are starting 18th so it’s not a bad qualification.
Pic would have liked to be opportunistic, however, by starting right at the first second of Q1 opening: « The idea was to take advantage of the track while it wasn’t too wet yet, so he lined up first in the pit lane. In case there was a heavy downpour, we could have turned it to our advantage… »
On his side, his teammate is pleased to have shown that he was capable of posting good times: « When you see that you have just posted the third fastest time, in rainy conditions, even if it’s provisional, you are proud of yourself. ».
He particularly thinks that working with the team and his teammate Charles Pic is a very good way to progress. We share our data, we try to see together how we progress, and it’s really a team effort.
From our special correspondent in Monaco.
