Barbadian driver Zane Maloney is on course for a successful weekend in Monaco, after securing his first pole position of the season in qualifying on Friday at the Monte Carlo Circuit.
Out of the two qualifying groups, Maloney registered the best overall lap time of 1:29.727 seconds and will start Race 2 on Grand Prix Sunday in first place on the grid.
His R-ace GP teammate Isack Hadjar, who was the fastest in the first group, will start first in Race 1 on Saturday, while Maloney will be second.
“It’s really difficult to overtake at Monaco so there’s no better position than where I am right now,” Maloney told NATIONSPORT.
“That is why it is the most important qualifier of the year and that is why the team is so pleased because most people know how tough it is to overtake when all the drivers are pushing hard.”
Maloney was also full of praise for his French teammates Hadjar and Hadrien David, as they go in search of a podium sweep on Saturday and Sunday.
“All of us were particularly good,” Maloney said. “In Race 1, we will be starting first, second and fourth, and in Race 2, we will be starting first, second and third.
“I think we can get the podium lock out. That is what we are aiming towards, but I am not really focused on that. I want to have good races and hopefully I can win both, especially on Sunday.”
In addition to his technique and experience, Maloney detailed exactly what he believes is required of him for a successful drive at Monte Carlo.
“You have to be confident with letting the car move around and getting close to the barriers and few people have that confidence,” Maloney said.
“I don’t fully know what to expect from a street track bit I have been really good at moving the car around and being confident when I get close to the barriers.”
He said: “I grazed the wall twice on my best lap and to me, that’s how good the lap was. When you are on the limit and pushing hard, a graze on the wall does not cost you time.
“All it did was startle me a bit, but it was still a good lap. I still have a job to do on Saturday and Sunday, but I am happy right now.”
Saturday’s race commences at 10:15 a.m. (Monaco Time) and Sunday’s race moves off from 11:15 a.m. (Monaco Time). They are being webcast “live” on the Formula Regional European Championship YouTube and Facebook pages.
(NM)
