26.05.09 TURVEY WINS ON DEBUT IN MONACO RSF driver Oliver Turvey claimed his maiden Formula Renault 3.5 victory with a faultless drive around the streets of Monaco this morning. Turvey - who had never visited the Principality until four days ago - held off determined South African Adrian Zaugg throughout the 25 lap race to take the lights to flag win. "It was the perfect end to a near perfect weekend," he said. "Apart from a brush with the barriers towards the end of free practice on Thursday, everything has gone according to plan. "I got a good start and opened up a gap that I was able to control as the race unfolded. Zaugg had the potential to pose a threat but never really got close enough to challenge for the lead. "To get my first Formula Renault 3.5 win here in Monaco on the F1 GP weekend is just fantastic. I couldn't have done it in a better place." Pole sitter Turvey made a strong start when the lights went out and was followed into Sainte Devote by Zaugg who jumped James Walker off the line. But before the leading trio could complete the first lap the safety car was called out following a collision between Mihai Marinescu and Daniil Move. When racing resumed at the end of lap two, Turvey quickly opened up a gap on Zaugg and Walker to lead comfortably by a margin of 1.577s at the start of lap four. Zaugg fought hard to narrow the gap, closing to within 0.679 of a second of Turvey on lap 13 but never really troubled the RSF man who controlled the race comfortably from the front. Turvey took the chequered flag just over six-tenths of a second ahead of the South African. The win moves him up from 10th in the championship to fourth. He also leads the rookie driver standings. << back to news