Two days of successful free practice for Team France (1/4)

Despite a still very high standard at the 19th edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in Brazil, many French drivers have a particularly positive balance during the first two days of free practice on Monday and Tuesday. Of course, not everyone is in the same boat and some know they can still improve for the official timed session.

Although no one can attempt to succeed Louis Iglesias on the list of the Micro Max, with a lack of French drivers entered in this category, there are no less than four Rotax Mini Max drivers. Let’s start with this overview of Team France…

Augustin Bernier
The youngest of the Bernier family was very impressive, finishing three out of six times in 2nd place overall. “I was less comfortable in the session we did on a slick wet track, and on another occasion we tested a different setting and could not do better than 7th in the session. Overall, everything is going well for the moment, I finished the last session on Tuesday only 4 thousandths from the fastest.”

Theophile Nael

The 2018 French Cadet Champion was not fully satisfied with his tests, despite some very good times. Théophile was 7th in the very first session on Monday morning, then 3rd and 5th on Tuesday morning, before finishing the day in 19th position. “I need to be able to better use the instructions my team gives me, and in sector 3, where the famous right-left uphill is, I know I can still improve.” For Nael for the moment, it’s a bit of a succession of ups and downs, as is the Brazilian circuit!

Evan Giltaire
The potential is there, as Evan was able to demonstrate by achieving the fastest time of the first session of Tuesday morning. “Yesterday it was hard enough, I had to make my mark and adapt to the circuit as well as the equipment. Today, we tried several settings with a 1st place, but also an 11th and 10th time. It is proof that we can do even better.”

Leo Poncel
The young Frenchman from team KPR started his two days well, positioning himself in the top third of the 36 Mini Max. But later on, the situation became complicated. “Between us, it’s very tight, the standard is very high. In the last session for example, I was only 20th, but only 4 tenths from the fastest. I like the circuit, but I’m not yet completely at ease. If we can find a tenth in each sector, from set-up or driving, it would be nice!”

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