Alexander Rossi shines in World Series by Renault testing

Alexander Rossi joined the first post-2010 season World Series by Renault 3.5 test in Barcelona, Spain, October 12th and 13th returning to familiar and winning ISR Racing, for which he debuted in Monaco this past May qualifying fifth. Rossi, already a winner this year at the 4.655 Kilometer Catalunya Circuit while driving with ART Grand Prix and the GP3 Series serving support for the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix had high expectations of the test and was anxious to once again work with ISR whom he had driven for in the International Formula Masters Series in 2009 collecting three wins.

On Day 1 of the Barcelona test, Rossi had a comfortable gap mid-session with a 1:33.660. A lap time over a ½ second quicker than the pole time set last weekend for the WSR season finale at Circuit Catalunya. The American spent the major part of the test as the leader in varying wet and dry conditions.

″It was really good to be back with ISR. I felt right at home working with everyone,″ Rossi said afterwards. ″In my first WSR experience earlier this year in Monaco, we immediately had pace. Coming into this test with ISR my expectations were the same, and I was not disappointed. It was a fantastic result, only struggling with brake temperatures on day 2. We were able to show consistency and the pace that proves ISR can win many races in 2011. Everyone is so passionate and focused on the results, working together and improving.

Alexander, only running the afternoon on Day 2, wasted no time in showing his consistent and quick pace, finishing the test 2nd overall for both days with a personal best of at 1:33.100, just .28 off P1 Motorsports and World Series veteran, Brendon Hartley, placing a 1:32.820.

″It was great to have Alexander back with our team again,″ said Igor Salaquarda, ISR Racing owner. ″Alexander is a very quick, serious, and committed racer and as we expected he was immediately on top of the time sheets. Alexander and his management are currently reviewing 2011 plans and we’d love to have him with us in WSR next season. We'll have him back in car next week in Alcaniz, Spain for two more days of testing. He's never driven the circuit, but I'm confident he'll find is way.″

ISR Racing's winning form gave them seven World Series by Renault victories in 2010, just missing out on the title, which came down to a three way fight in the end. Rossi leveraged this performance, and after 98 laps it was obvious he was quite comfortable with his surroundings.

″Between Monaco, where I got my first taste of Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and the Barcelona circuit, there's really no comparison,″ Rossi said. ″I'm a little disappointed to have been knocked from the top spot at the end to finish 2nd. However, the main thing is to show that we were clearly quick and consistent in both the wet and the dry. I believe we were able to do that.″

Rossi with a 30% win percentage and Formula BMW Americas and World Champion. While racing in the inaugural year of the GP3 Series, 19-year-old Rossi finished 4th overall with two wins and three podiums helping ART secure the GP3 Team Championship.

Rossi also tested for the F1 Sauber BMW team at the end of 2009, qualifying for his F1 Super License and is determined to become the next American to race in F1.

Next up for Rossi and ISR, World Series by Renault Testing, Aragon Motorland, Spain, October 18 -19, 2010.