Speed, a top six finish but frustration for Frank Porte Ruiz at Spa

The Spa Francorchamps circuit, which has revealed so many great champions, confirmed Frank Porte Ruiz’s current outstanding form. Boosted by his first victory in the French F4 Championship at Nîmes-Lédenon, the Andorran driver immediately felt at home on the Ardennes track. “I had an excellent feeling right from the first practice session on Friday morning, which I finished in 6th position, before putting myself right at the top of the order in the following session with a perfectly set-up car,” admitted Frank. “I was really optimistic about my chances of fighting for pole position in Qualifying.”

But then the threatened rain began to fall in this region of Belgium, shuffling the cards as the FFSA Academy cars were fitted with rain tyres. “I wasn’t as confident as I’d been with slicks, but I pushed to the end and finally snatched 6th place on my very last lap.” On a track that was still soggy, Frank finished 6th in Race 1 after a steady performance. “The gaps between me and the two cars in front and behind me were quite large, so I wasn’t able to gain any positions. However, this race enabled me to see that I had made a lot of progress in the rain. My lap times were excellent.”

The rest of the Belgian weekend was marked by the return of much more favourable weather conditions. “I was happy to be back on a dry track and determined to get back up there, especially as the Spa Francorchamps circuit offers several places to overtake.” Unfortunately, two successive race incidents in Races 2 and 3 resulted in early retirements. “Of course, it’s disappointing not to have been able to build on my level of performance. I’m still in 8th place in the Championship, when I had the chance to move up the order. I hope to make up for this disappointment at the next round in July at the famous Nürburgring circuit in Germany.”

Info Kartcom / Photo KSP – Guillaume Veuve