Jazeman Jaafar secures first victory in Monaco

A hugely successful stint in the French Riviera saw the Fortec Motorsports team shine during the lone collective test in Monaco. While the Formula Renault 3.5 Series field had the chance to rediscover or readapt to the Monegasque circuit, the leader in the general classification, and Racing Steps Foundation protégé, Oliver Rowland led the way with a quickest time of 1:24.171, edging team-mate Jazeman Jaafar (Fortec Motorsports). Lotus F1 Junior Team driver, Matthieu Vaxiviere, was third on the same circuit where he suffered a broken vertebrae in 2014.

The British squad continued its show of force on the streets of Monaco during Saturday’s qualifying. After both dominated their group, Jazeman Jaafar and Oliver Rowland locked out row one ahead of Matthieu Vaxiviere. McLaren’s Development Programme driver and top rookie on the day, Nyck de Vries, completed row two, followed by his team-mate and Red Bull Junior Team protégé, Dean Stoneman (DAMS).

Top rookie in the Principality in 2013 and podium finisher last year, Jazeman Jaafar was victorious on Sunday in the streets of Monaco and received the winner’s trophy from Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Renault. The Malaysian native notched his first success in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series ahead of the highest placed rookie, Dean Stoneman, at the end of a wild race. Frenchman Tom Dillmann (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) completed the podium. With the win, the first for a Malay driver in Monaco, Jazeman Jaafar moves to the top of the general classification.

Provisional general classification: 1. J. Jaafar – 49 points, 2. O. Rowland – 48 points, 3. M. Vaxiviere – 37, 4. D. Stoneman – 33, 5. T. Dillmann – 27, …

Provisional general classification: 1. J. Jaafar – 49 points, 2. O. Rowland – 48 points, 3. M. Vaxiviere – 37, 4. D. Stoneman – 33, 5. T. Dillmann – 27, …