Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Paul Aron says Hitech GP did not run a higher downforce set-up than rivals in Formula 2 qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps after taking pole with a straightline speed deficit.
Spa is known for its long Kemmel Straight, which has a lengthy DRS zone and is where some of the highest speeds in F2 are achieved. It is preceded by the high-speed and high-downforce Eau Rouge corner.
Aron took pole by 0.168 seconds, with team-mate Amaury Cordeel [pictured] qualifying 11th. At the speed trap just after Eau Rouge, the pair were 18th and 19th fastest, more than 2.7mph (4.4kph) down on the fastest through. By the end of the Kemmel Straight, their recorded speeds were the 12th and 18th fastest, with a 2mph (3.3kph) deficit to the quickest cars.
At the end of sectors one and three, which are after corners where good traction is needed, Aron’s speed was seventh and eighth best respectively. But he set the quickest time through the sweeping corners of sector two, and was sixth fastest in sector three which has high downforce corners but where straightline speed and a slipstream can make a difference.
“The car felt very good,” Aron summarised. “Already on run one, I was very happy with the lap I did. But we still missed a bit, and I had perfect slipstream on that lap. So I was a bit worried. I was not sure how we’re going to do it. But we just managed to put it together in the second run. I had a very good track position again with good slipstream.
“Then I was enjoying it in sector two. The car basically did what I wanted. And on a long track like this, if the car is doing what you want, then there will be a big time delta because corner after corner, you’re winning time. But it was not as easy as I would’ve expected, because when I did start the lap I struggled a bit for grip, and I feel like the first part of the lap I just pushed through the car because I was not happy with what I had underneath me. But then from sector two, I had everything fell in place, and that’s when I started to make the difference.”
He admitted to “running higher gears” because of increased cornering speeds in repaved areas, but was coy about other set-up details when asked by Formula Scout.
“Everyone knows what everyone is doing. Especially after the session, because you see [their cars]. And we were not higher downforce than anyone else,” Aron claimed.
“I think tomorrow anyway if it’s wet, the DRS will be disabled. And it will come down to more pure pace you have in the car and in the driver. And on Sunday, we’ll just have to see how the race pans out. The DRS has been moved further away this year, so the effect is less strong. And I’d hope I have good top speed, but I’ll find out on Sunday.”