Rookie Frijns Takes His First Win.

Silverstone, 20 June 2009. Reference source FBMW Europe - Official Press Release.The cheering British fans witnessed an incredibly exciting race as the Formula BMW Europe drivers battled for 13 laps round Silverstone circuit. It was Rookie driver, Robin Frijns (Josef Kaufmann Racing) who took the win followed closely by his team-mate, Kazeem Manzur, with Rupert Svensden-Cook (Raikkonen Robertson Racing) in third. For Frijns from the Netherlands it was his first win in the series, snatching the lead from Britain’s Manzur at Copse Corner on the very last lap.

Meanwhile fellow Brit, Svensden-Cook, had worked his way up the field from sixth on the grid and moved into the top three after overtaking Denmark’s Michael Christensen (Mü cke Motorsport) on lap 12. At several points during the race it looked as if Christensen could take the win and in the last corner of lap 11 he even got in front for a few metres, but as they went across the line Manzur was back in front with Frijns second, Christensen third and Svensden-Cook right behind and ready to take third. At the start it was pole sitter William Buller (GB/Fortec Motorsport) who lost out as his car bogged down on the line. Manzur took the lead from Christensen and Frijns as Buller dropped down to eighth.

These three made good starts but none of them had the work to do of Brazil’s Felipe Nasr (Eurointernational), who had been demoted from pole to the back of the grid due to reverse gear in his car not being connected. The Brazilian went from 23rd on the grid to 16th at the end of lap one, and by the time the chequered flag came out he was up to eighth, after some great overtaking moves, and had set the fastest lap.

1st - Round 5: Robin Frijns (NL/Josef Kaufmann Racing): The start was very good and I almost got Christensen in the first corner, but felt I should take it easy on the first lap to see what happens. I waited a couple of laps and Christensen was a lot faster than both of us. I don’t know what happened with him as I think he could have won the race. I had a chance to win, I saw a gap and took it.

2nd – Round 5: Kazeem Manzur (GB/Josef Kaufmann Racing): I had a very good start, but the problem was I just couldn’t find the pace so was holding everyone up. After defending for 12 laps and losing out on the last lap it is a shame. I was just trying to hang on for as long as possible, but it was a good race and I am happy wiht second and it is nice to do it at my home race.

3rd – Round 5: Rupert Svensden-Cook (GB/Raikkonen Robertson Racing): It is a dream come true. On the first lap I had some contact and I wasn’t sure if I had some damage, but I just kept pushing, pushing, pushing. There was a period in the race when I put my head down and was able to catch up with the leading group. They were racing with each other and made some mistakes so I was able to capitalise on them and get my first podium.

Provisional Results Race 1 1. Robin Frijns (NL/Josef Kaufmann Racing) R 25:09.185 2. Kazeem Mansur (GB/Josef Kaufmann Racing) 25:10.574 3. Rupert Svendsen-Cook (GB/Raikkonen Robertson Racing) 25:11.092 4. Michael Christensen(DK/Mü cke Motorsport) 25:11.180 5. Jack Harvey (GB/Fortec Motorsport) R 25:12.209 6. William Buller (GB/Fortec Motorsport) 25:14.289 7. Daniel Juncadella (Es/Eifelland Racing) 25:14.683 8. Felipe Nasr (BR/Eurointernational) 25:18.221 9. David Mengesdorf (DE/Eifelland Racing) 25:30.1752 10 Facu Regalia (FR/DAMS) 25:30.683 11. Ollie Millroy (GB/Motaworld Racing Europe Ltd) 25:30.894 12. Doru Sechelariu (RO/Fisichella Motor Sport International SPA) 5:35.170 13. Olivier Lombard (FR/Eurointernational) R 25:36.480 14. George Katsinis (GR/Eifelland Racing) R 25:37.047 15. Ramon Pineiro (ES/Fisichella Motor Sport International SPA) 25:41.594 16. Gregoire Demoustier (Fr/Raikkonen Robertson Racing) 25:44.049 17. Antonio Martinez (ES/Fortec Motorsport ) R 25:44.585 18. Gary Thompson (IR/Raikkonen Robertson Racing) G 25:45.595 19. Kevin Gilardoni (IT/Fisichella Motor Sport International SPA) 25:48.322 20. Timmy Hansen (SE/Mü cke Motorsport) R 25:48.821 21. Come Ledogar (FR/DAMS) 25:50.729 22. Mikkel Mac (DK/Motaworld Racing Europe Ltd) R 26:09.316 * 23. Javier Tarancon (ES/DAMS) 26:38.258 Not classified Jim Pla (FR/DAMS) 8 laps Jazeman Jaafar (MY/Eifelland Racing) 7 laps Jack Te Braak (NL/Mü cke Motorsport) R 4 laps

Fastest Lap: Felipe Nasr (BR/Eurointernational) 1:54.259

R – Rookie Driver G - Guest Driver * 25 second penalty for overtaking under yellow flags