W Series: First podium for Fabienne 🎥
THIRD IN MISANO In the third race of the W Series as part of the DTM in Italy, Fabienne Wohlwend climbed onto the podium of the women's racing series for the first time. In qualifying, the Liechtensteiner was even the fastest. Fabienne Wohlwend traveled to Misano with very good memories: In 2016, she contested her first race in Formula 4 at the circuit on the Mediterranean, [...]
Fabienne Wohlwend traveled to Misano with very good memories: in 2016 she contested her first race in Formula 4 at the circuit on the Mediterranean, and last year she won both races in the Ferrari Challenge Europe. The fact that she set the fastest time in qualifying for the W Series came as a bit of a surprise to the 21-year-old semi-professional racer from Schellenberg.
Fabienne Wohlwend: "I managed a perfect lap and then waited in the pits. I was afraid that Jamie (Chadwick) and Beitske (Visser) would be even faster. The fact that I stayed in P1 was overwhelming. We really seemed to hit the best window for a fast lap."
Luck of the draw after the start
Her first pole position in formula racing also brought with it a certain amount of nervousness. She promptly failed to get off to a good start.
Fabienne Wohlwend: "I wanted to do particularly well because I knew I had three very experienced formula drivers behind me. I released the clutch too abruptly, which caused spinning wheels and unfortunately cost me two positions."
After that, the Liechtensteiner, who competes with an ASS license, found herself involved in a devastating accident. Before the first turn, Alice Powell shot past her on the left at excess speed, touched Wohlwend's front wheel and flew off spectacularly.
Fortunately, the Brit did not injure herself and Fabienne also escaped a puncture.
Fabienne Wolhlwend: "After the restart behind the safety car, my race pace was very good and I was able to build up pressure on the leaders over the entire race distance. At first I was worried that the front wing had taken some damage. Unfortunately, the lap times are so close together that an overtaking maneuver would only have been possible at high risk. The three of us were able to pull clear of the field, so I was able to drive home my third place safely."
Confidence before the Norisring
As at the premiere in Hockenheim, victory went to Jamie Chadwick ahead of Beitske Visser, who had won the second race in Zolder. After three podium finishes, the Briton now leads the championship by a clear 68 points ahead of the Dutchwoman (55) and Spain's Marta Garcia (35). Behind Alice Powell (33), Wohlwend is in fifth place with 29 points at the halfway point of the season. With three races left, third place overall is probably more realistic than the championship title.
With her first podium and a pole position, Fabienne Wohlwend has already achieved her first high goals of the season. She is all the more motivated for the next race in Nuremberg.
Fabienne Wohlwend: "I know the Norisring from the 2017 Audi TT Cup. It's a really interesting circuit. I'm confident that I'll be among the best there as well and maybe score the next podium."
