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ART Grand Prix and Leclerc retain WSK Euro Series lead

The WSK Euro Series lined-up at the French Val D’Argenton circuit last weekend for the second round of 2012 season. The ART Grand Prix rounded out the event with some great results in the KF2 and KF3 categories.

In KF2, Charles Leclerc and Ben Barnicoat put together a spectacular performance in the Pre-Final as they ended up respectively in first and second place. Unfortunately, the ART Grand Prix drivers suffered from an excessive tire wear in the Final due to the fast pace kept in the previous heats. Despite the issues, Leclerc captured an extremely valuable fourth place finish, which allowed him to maintain a bold lead in the KF2 standings. The Frenchman has now 122 points while his closest rivals, Felice Tiene and Max Verstappen, stand with 59 and 50.

Three ART Grand Prix drivers made their way into the top-10: Niclas Nylund, fielded by ART Grand Prix Finland, cruised to a sixth place finish and was followed, two spots back, by Britain’s Ricky Collard. Supported by the Racing Steps Foundation program like his team-mate Ben Barnicoat, Collard is constantly improving. Ben finished in 13th, and is now laying in 9th place in standings.

More good results came to ART Grand Prix from the KF3 class, as the Team’s young drivers, like Yifan Xia, are showing a positive trend of growth. Young Japanese Takuya Okada ended up the Final into the top-10 as he deservedly cruised to his first great result of his pretty new international career. Olli Peltola, running for team ART Grand Prix Finland, ended up 25th in the Final.

ART Grand Prix also welcomed rookie Sérgio Sette Câmara in France: despite being at his first European race and at his maid_claneken international experience with a KF engine, the 13-year-old Brazilian positively impressed all the Factory Team with his capability in adapting to a new situation, as he captured a sensational fourth place in the Pre-Final. Unfortunately, he was later penalized by the Stewards due to cutting and moved back to the 16th position. Despite starting from the back of the pack, Sérgio drove a fantastic Final race as he recovered up to the 14th position. The good results scored have been a decisive push in the definition of Sette Câmara 2012 program: he will be back with the Team for the two remaining rounds of the WSK Euro Series.

In KZ, Ben Hanley suffered from a tough break due to an engine problem that forced him to retire from the Final after just three laps.

ART - G.P. - Press

icon ART-GP / V.O. icon 14.5.2012, 18:33 icon 774x icon 0x