Boschung Top Swiss In GP3 Series In Bahrain

Following a challenging weekend in Russia last month, Ralph Boschung bounced back to score points at the penultimate GP3 Series round in Bahrain (November 19-21). Clinching a strong 10th and ninth at the grand prix venue, the Swiss rookie remains in the mix for a top-10 finish in the Drivers’ standings.

Despite setting the second fastest time in Sochi free practice in early October, Boschung had not been able to convert his strong form into results at the previous GP3 event. However, the 18-year-old travelled to Sakhir, host to round seven of this year’s championship, eager to restore the momentum of his experience-gathering campaign.

Having never driven at Bahrain International Circuit, Ralph used Thursday’s free practice session to get to grips with the sandy 3.363-mile track. Although a small mistake left him just outside a top-10 position in qualifying, Boschung was still the highest-ranked JENZER MOTORSPORT driver on Friday’s Feature Race grid.

Lining up 12th, Ralph and his team went for a different strategy to that of his rivals, biding his time at lights out to prevent any premature tyre degradation. The gamble paid off for Boschung over the course of the 20-lap contest as he steadily worked his way through the field. Whilst worn-out tyres blighted the competition, an impressive drive from Ralph culminated in 10th position and first JENZER driver home.

Starting from the same grid slot on Saturday, Boschung delivered another mature performance during the 15-lap Sprint event. Following contact on the opening lap between Sandy Stuvik and Ralph’s team-mate, Matheo Tuscher, the Safety Car was out, but it wasn’t long before the race was red-flagged and all drivers made their way back to pit lane. In this time, Boschung managed to keep his tyres in the optimum temperature window, which allowed him to be on the move as soon as the race restarted.

Having climbed up to ninth, the Champery-based driver found himself right on Alfonso Celis Jr’s tail and attempting to steal the final point on offer in Race 2 from the Mexican. Despite repeated assaults, the JENZER ace would cross the line less than sixth tenths off the future Force India F1 development driver.

“I’m very happy with how we fared in Sakhir, especially after the frustration from Sochi,” Boschung declared afterwards. “Bahrain International Circuit is a pretty cool track with a nice variety of corners and a couple of heavy braking areas where you can really feel the lateral G-forces. The heat and sand also make it a challenging venue.

“I think we extracted the maximum performance from the car this weekend, except in qualifying where I made a small mistake that cost us three tenths. Otherwise, we would have been in the top-10. Ahead of the Feature Race, my engineer told me not to push like crazy over the opening laps, even if that meant allowing other cars through. Clever tyre management meant we were able to work our way through the order in the closing stages to finish in the points. We almost repeated it in the Sprint event.

“Consistency over the entire weekend has been essential”, he added. “Now, the aim is to ride that crest all the way to Abu Dhabi and finish my rookie year in the top-10, which would give me my first points towards a Super Licence. And what a great reward that would be for the whole team, who have done a fantastic job this year.

“In order to achieve this, I am delighted to benefit from the help of B63 or Valais-based construction company CP3, Champery-based AvanthayPartners real estate, Moderntimes Hotel and my new sponsor, Platinum Fighter Sales. The ‘Club 50’ members are also a tremendous support, as always.”

Ralph is quite familiar with Yas Marina Circuit, which will host the 2015 GP3 Series season finale next weekend (November 27-29). Indeed, the Swiss ace first sampled GP3 machinery in Abu Dhabi less than 12 months ago, where he first attracted the attention of JENZER MOTORSPORT.

Boschung currently sits 11th in the Drivers’ championship, only two points adrift of Alex Palou, and looks to overhaul the Spaniard ahead of the final F1 grand prix of the year.

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