It has taken more than two years, but two weekends ago at Monza, things finally came right for Will Stevens.
For a driver with such pedigree, so heavily touted for World Series success, the Monza curtain raiser was Stevens’ first Formula Renault 3.5 victory.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Stevens commented. “It is the best way to begin the championship, as opposed to last year. I have worked a lot on the starts and today it paid off. We now have to work on our single lap pace.”
Driving for Strakka Racing, the 22-year-old has played the game of consistency very well since his entry into the category, although the machinery at his disposal was, at times, less than agreeable.
Podiums and runs points helped Stevens’ secure 4th in the standings, behind champion Kevin Magnussen and rivals Stoffel Vandoorne and Antonio Felix da Costa.
But those names have since departed for pastures anew and now the game is on for Stevens. A leading member of the Caterham driver development programme, this is his third year in FR3.5 – if he is to deliver, it must be now.
