30.10.2009 - F2 Barcelona qualification race 2 and Race 1

Summary

F2 FIA Championship: Points for Natacha Gachnang at Barcelona

First Free Practice
Second Free Practice - 1.41.451 P22
Qualifying 1 - 1.39.660 P9
Qualifying 2 - 1.38.916 - P15
Race 1 7th

Saturday, October 31, 2009 Natacha Gachnang capitalized on her strong qualifying performance to claim her first points of the season in today's 20-lap race one at Barcelona. The young Swiss driver put in her best drive of the season to take seventh after starting the race from ninth. Andy Soucek, the new F2 champion took his sixth win of the season.

Natacha had a good start from the ninth on the grid making up a position, and climbing to seventh after a rival dropped off ahead of her. Natacha resisted pressure from other drivers to maintained her pace all through the race at the Montmelo circuit that she knows well. Tomorrow race 2 will be shorter and she will started from 15th place.

Natacha commented, "I am very pleased with my race at Barcelona today, and at the same time I am glad that I was at least able to earn my two first points of the season. It isalways nice to finish on a high given all the incidents this season. Overall I was not too pleased with my first practice sessions, but I had good hopes to do well from a ninth place on the grid for race one. This race result is a good one, although it was not easy. However, I never took any unnecessary risks.

It was not a busy race for the spectators, but I had one objective only: a good finish and points and I did not want to ruin my chances today. I fought as much as I could and I am very pleased about the result for my mechanics and engineers who helped all season. The second qualifying was not as strong as I wished for the second race tomorrow. But I will do my best again in a shorter race which also means less opportunities for climbing up the order."

30.10.2009 - F2 Barcelona qualification race 1

Summary

Natacha Gachnang in good form at Barcelona

Qualifications Race 1
P9 1'39.660

Friday, October 30, 2009 - 21-year-old Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang put in her second-best qualifying performance of the season earlier today at Barcelona with her second top ten grid position in F2.

Natacha Gachnang commented, "Today everything worked well. I have proved I am only 0.6s away from the pole time. The car feels good. The session was not easy because of the red flag at the start after Jason Clark went off. I was fast right from the start though, ranking in the top five which was encouraging. With new tyres, I improved my time, until a yellow flag meant I couldn't improve any further. I ended up ninth which is as good as my Brands Hatch qualifying in July. We still have a lot of work to do to prepare the second qualifying session and also our penultimate race. It is always difficult when we are so close to each other in the session. But I feel comfortable for tomorrow."

The penultimate race of the FIA Formula Two Championship will commence tomorrow at 14.00. Natacha will be looking to collect her first points score of the 2009 season.

29.10.2009 - F2 Preview of the 8th meeting in Barcelona

Summary

F2 - Natacha Gachnang ready for season finale}

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - The new F2 championship, which features 25 identical cars, designed by the Williams F1 team draws to a close at Barcelona. The affordable series was revived to become the ultimate feeder category for aspiring F1 young drivers.

The final round of the season takes place this weekend at Barcelona, Spain bringing to an end a season that has featured sixteen races at eight circuits across Europe, 25 years since the F2 last season.

This year, Switzerland's Aigle-born 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang is part of the line-up and hopes to have a successful finale. Natacha is the only female driver in the re-launched Formula Two championship. She also hopes to score her maiden points finish in Formula Two. An official test session preceded the last Barcelona round.

Natacha comments: "For sure, the race will be very competitive as we've seen all season, and from the test results where we finished in the top ten. The difference between drivers was minimal and the top ten times were all within a second! I learned a lot this year through a difficult season. Let's work on getting my experience to be fruitful on this track for the last two races of our first season."

29.10.2009 - F2 Provisional Schedule of the 8th meeting in Barcelona

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Thursday 29.10.2009

16:50 - 17:20 Official free practice session 1

Friday 30.10.2009

09:40 - 10:10 Official free practice session 2
14:05 - 14:35 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 31.10.2009

10:10 - 10:40 Qualifications race 2
14:00 - 14:40 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

Sunday 01.11.2009

12:05 - 12:45 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

20.09.2009 - F2 Imola (I) Race 2

Summary

Disappointing second race at Imola for Natacha Gachnang

First Free Practice - 1.41.513 - P15
Second Free Practice - 1.41.328 - P17
Qualifying 1 1.39.939 - P13
Qualifying 2 - 4 laps - P25
Race 1 - 15th (21 laps)
Race 2 DNF

Natacha Gachnang found herself starting from the last row of the grid for the 15-lap second race after a qualifying session that, for her, stopped in the gravel after just 4 laps. Natacha Gachnang's second race at the Imola circuit was over almost before it had really begun this afternoon. After a strong start, the young Swiss female driver was ranking at 18th as the safety car came out. But then, the 21 year old driver was involved in a collision with Italian Pietro Gangolfi. Pietro Gangolfi most probably did not see that the cars were slowing down because of the pace car and hit her from behind. This put Natacha out of the race. It was an unfortunate accident that also took with it her chances of a good showing from the weekend.

Natacha had qualified for a frustrating 25th gid position after a mistake at Minerali. She made a fantastic start from her grid slot and was fighting hard. "What can I say about the poor qualifying result? It was my fault. I can admit that my session ended in the gravel in the first few moments at Minerali,"

Natacha said. "But for the race, even if I started last in the second race there is not much to do when another driver does not realize why you are slowing down and hits you from behind at full speed. So that was it. My race was over after one lap. It's a shame, but after qualifying this morning, the day finished with another annoying and frustrating disappointment. Anyway, I am looking towards Barcelona's final two races of the championship. I know the Montmelo circuit well and I had good results there in F3. Today's race showed that I should have done better here, so you never know how things end. As I did not race, I was pleased to see our new FIA F2 Champion, Andy Soucek on the podium and win this race. Congratulations Andy!"

Natacha hit by Gandolfi as the race was under Safety Car !!!!

19.09.2009 - F2 Imola (I) Race 1

Summary

Natacha Gachnang comes in 15th in round 1 of the FIA F2 at Imola

Free practice session 1 : 1.41.513 - P15
Free practice session 2 : 1.41.328 - P17
Qualifying 1 1.39.939 - P13
Race 1 - 15th (21 laps)

The 45-minute, 21-lap race one at Imola began in sunny conditions after dark morning clouds cleared. Kazim Vasiliauskas took his first F2 victory in the race while Mirko Bortollotti was also on the podium meaning Natacha Gachnang's two team mates were both on the rostrum at the end of the race. Andy Soucek completed the podium in third, the new F2 champion.

Natacha finished the race in 15th. She had a good start from the sixth row of the grid in 13th and was up to 11th position. She then worked her way up to seventh before the safety car was deployed when two other drivers collided. When the race resumed Natacha was chasing down the leaders but put a wheel on the verge and went off losing several positions before she could rejoin in 13th. As she got back into a good rhythm, Jack Clarke went off at the chicane and forced Natacha to lose ground which saw her passed by two cars and drop to 15th.

Natacha commented, "I am disappointed with my race at Imola today, but at the same time I am glad that I was at least able to make it to the finish given all the incidents. When I noticed that my steering column had been damaged and the steering wheel was to the right after the safety car, I thought for a moment that I'd be lucky to finish the race. This incident really ruined my chances today. But at least I fought well and my mechanics and engineer assured me that the damage was repairable in time for the second qualifying and the second race tomorrow. The only positive thing was that I finished the race 39 seconds behind the new F2 world champion, Andy Soucek, who is a good friend. Congratulations Andy!"

18.09.2009 - F2 Imola (I) Qualification race 1

Summary

F2: Positive qualifying for Natacha at Imola

First practice - 1.41.513 - P15
Second practice - 1.41.328 - P17
Qualifying 1 - 1.39.939 P13

Friday, September 18, 2009 - Natacha Gachnang adapted well to the Imola circuit in first and second free practice, improving her times throughout (1.41.513 and 1.41.328). As she never used her boost and push buttons, she had a clear vision about her progression and where the car is. These sessions led to a positive first qualifying in thirteenth with an improved time of 1.39.939 ahead of tomorrow's penultimate race of the inaugural Formula Two Championship on the newly rebuilt Imola track.

The only Swiss driver of the series, and the only female, Natacha Gachnang explains her day: "I am pleased with this 13th position even if I would have preferred to be in the top ten. The two morning sessions were interesting to evaluate my progression and get accustomed to the circuit. I was careful because I wanted to learn the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari lay out quickly but I did not want to make any mistakes. I also never used my boosts. So I exactly know where I am. Overall, we worked well today and I have a fair idea of how the car will handle tomorrow on the track.

A pity there was so much traffic. I was able to do a free flying lap, but unfortunately, never two in a row. And you definitely need two laps if you want to push correctly. So in a way, I could never quite find my rhythm even with fresh tyres. In any case, it was hard to progress towards the end as the track was much slower between the temperatures and the yellow flags that slowed us down and stopped our progression. But with a good start and a good strategy, I should be ok starting the first race from 13th and hope to follow the strong performance of my team-mates Vasiliauskas on pole and Bortolotti in second."

18.09.2009 - F2 Preview of the 7th meeting in Imola (I)

Summary

F2: Natacha Gachnang heads to Imola for the first time

Thursday, September 17, 2009 - This weekend, 18-20 September, the inaugural Formula Two Championship arrives in Italy on the newly rebuilt Imola track.

The only Swiss driver of the the series, and the only female, Natacha Gachnang is ready to take on the final four races of the 2009 season.

Today was busy for Natacha Gachnang who walked around the track with her engineer to prepare for her first outing at Imola behind the wheel of the n°18 car.

Natacha Gachnang commented, "It's really a nice track. I have never raced yet at this circuit. I read that Michael Schumacher holds the lap record since 2004 with 1:20.411 in a Ferrari F1 car. I am sure I will learn quickly how to react everywhere at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

The track looks interesting and fast. I will need to drive enough laps tomorrow during the morning first practice to learn it properly. I find it interesting too that the track is one of the few major international circuits to run in an anti-clockwise direction. Additionally, I am eager to discuss the details tomorrow when I meet my team-mates Mirko Bortolotti and Kazim Vasiliauskas. Their comments will help me a lot. I have a good feeling to be behind the wheel of an F2 again. We worked well today on paper and around the track. This week-end the timetable is interesting because we will complete the second qualifying on Sunday after Saturday's race 1. This schedule will give us a good advantage to debrief properly. For now, I want to see how the car will handle tomorrow on the track before saying anything else."

The 21-year-old young Swiss driver will keep very busy for the rest of September after the Imola race. She will leave for a European tour to prepare the launch this October on Xbox 360,"Forza Motorsport 3" a game Developed by Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios, that unites the racing game genre making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic cars on over 100 different tracks.

15.09.2009 - F2 Provisional Schedule of the 7th meeting in Imola (I)

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Friday 18.09.2009

09:00 - 09:30 Official free practice session 1
12:00 - 12:30 Official free practice session 2
16:30 - 17:00 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 19.09.2009

12:05 - 12:50 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

Sunday 20.09.2009

09:30 - 10:00 Qualifications race 2

13:50 - 14:20 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

13.09.2009 - FLM Silverstone - Summary of the weekend

Summary

Natacha Gachnang let down by differential at the Formula Le Mans - Silverstone

Qualifying 1 - 7th
Qualifying 2 - 5th 11 laps
Race 1 - 8th
Race 2 - 6th

Saturday 12 September 2009 - Natacha Gachnang had a busy and difficult day with a program of two qualifying sessions and two races for the Formula Le Mans Cup which resumed this weekend at Silverstone.

The young Swiss driver's team finished in the top eight and in the top six in the second race. It was not enough though in the eyes of Natacha who was aiming for two podiums this weekend. Unfortunately for Natacha a problem with the differential prevented her from achieving her goal.

Natacha said, "To finish twice in the points in the same day isn't as great as it appears. I had good qualifying sessions. During the session, I was preoccupied with vibrations coming from the car, from yesterday's free practice. In truth if I had a few more laps I could have had pole. In the first race I lost time with a drive-thru penalty for going too fast in the pits. In the second race I was third and was passed because the car was sliding around a lot. I stabilised in fourth position when I handed the car over to my team mate Christophe. He then had a good battle on the track. Unfortunately we only finished sixth in the second race. The mechanics saw that the differential was damaged. At least I helped the team remain second in the championship. I will not be racing Formula Le Mans next weekend because the F2 series is back in action at Imola."

06.09.2009 - F2 Oschersleben - Summary of the weekend

Summary

Encouraging F2 weekend for Natacha Gachnang at Ochsersleben

Free practice 1 - 1.23.811 (22nd - 18laps)
Free practice 2 - 1.21.717 (14th - 16laps)
Qualifying 1 - 1.21.498 (12th - 15laps)
Qualifying 2 - 1.24.349 (12th - 13laps)
Race 1 - 11th (24laps)
Race 2 - 12th (18laps)

Sunday, September 06, 2009 - A good weekend for 21-year-old Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang, the only female competing in the F2 series. Yesterday in race one the track was virtually dry as Natacha started from 12th and finished 11th, one of her best results in 2009.

On Sunday she started again from 12th on the grid and finishes 12th. The young driver from Vevey explained: "I am happy with my performance this weekend, this 12th F2 race. I regard my race yesterday as one of my better memories of the season finishing 11th. Today's race was difficult as 22 of 25 cars finished. I would like to thank my engineers and mechanics for their help in getting this good weekend result. Thanks to them I was able to run consistently in the top 12. It was a positive weekend."

"In race 2, I made a couple of places at the start down the inside but Iaconelli and Piscopo got past me again and I was back in 12th. I was lapping quickly but not fast enough to get back past. I resisted Ebrahim who pressured me throughout. I hope the spectators weren't bored. It's quite a defensive circuit and may have been a bit boring for them. I can't wait for Imola in two weeks. From here I'm back behind the wheel in Formula Le Mans at Silverstone next weekend. After the penultimate weekend of Formula 2 at Imola I will be helping the promotion of the launch of the video game Forza Motorsport 3 on Xbox 360. Keen fans won't be disappointed and you can race on more than 100 different tracks around the world."

05.09.2009 - F2 Oschersleben - Race 1 & Qualifications Race 2

Summary

FIA F2 Natacha Gachnang: Encouraged by one of better races finishing 11th

Qualifying 1 - 1.21.498 (12th 15 laps)
Qualifying 2 - 1.24.349 (12th 13 laps)
Race 1 11th (24 laps)

The day began with the second qualifying session on the Ochsersleben circuit. Conditions were tricky and Natacha remained prudent at the wheel. Several red flags interrupted the session. In the end Natacha was 12th. For the first race the track had mostly dried out. Natacha, who started the race in 12th finished the race in 11th, one of her best finishes in 2009.

Very satisfied with the day, the young Swiss driver, the only female in the F2 Series explained, "In qualifying I was responsible for one of the red flags. During the session I was pushing quite hard and as I slid on an unexpected patch of standing water and the car went off into the gravel. Unfortunately I therefore lost crucial preparation time in qualifying. The drivers behind me profited and were able to get ahead as a result."

"I was very focused at the start of the race. I had a good start but it was very hectic and I ended up not making the optimal decision and was blocked in the middle of the field. In front there was an accident though and I lost time avoiding it. That cost me a position. But I got back in a rhythm and was very competitive. De Marco was behind me used his boost to attack me on the seventh lap. The car was overall handling well, but nevertheless was sliding around a lot. I had to avoid Wickens at one point. I also resisted pressure from Piscopo and closed in on Hancock. In the end Hohental retired ahead of me which meant I finished eleventh overall, just
like in Brno. It's one of my better memories of the season so far!"

04.09.2009 - F2 Oschersleben - Free practice and qualifications for race 1

Summary

Good start for Natacha Gachnang at Oschersleben

Friday 4 September - Natacha Gachnang stated her weekend well at the Motorsport Arena of Oschersleben. She improved her lap times with each attempt. She set a time of 1m23.811s after 18 laps in practice in the morning. In the second free practice the hard work began to pay off and after 16 laps Natacha Gachnang had improved to 14th place and her best lap was 1m21.717s and she hadn't used her boost apart from one time during the session.

The first qualifying session followed at 5pm and a best lap of 1.21.498 put the 21-year-old Swiss driver twelfth place for the first race of the weekend, behind Soucek who was on pole (1.20.402).

Natacha Gachnang commented, "The day went very quickly and I learned a lot during the 49 laps I covered over the three sessions. I tried my hardest in each session and improved throughout. Looking at the results today I'm happy I insisted to my engineer and the organisation that my car should get a fresh engine and turbo after the trouble at Donington. The results have shown clearly that the engine I was using was down some 30hp on power which put me at a great disadvantage. Today it's without comparison. I was careful in the sessions not to make any mistakes. 12th place is satisfying for the first race of the weekend. I just need to get a great start and stay out of trouble on the first lap and stay focused on this very technical circuit. Beyond that we still need to take care of the second qualifying session. Today we worked well and found a good set up for qualifying. I am very encouraged and our performance today is a good sign."

Renseignements:
Jean-Marc Piaget
[email protected]

Agnes Carlier
[email protected]

04.09.2009 - F2 Oschersleben - Preview

Preview

Natacha Gachnang back on track in Germany with fresh engine and new turbo

Thursday, September 03, 2009 Two weeks after her podium at the Nuerburgring with Formula Le Mans, Swiss female driver Natacha Gachnang returns to Germany and the Oschersleben round of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship, this weekend September 5-6, 2009. In a few hours, Natacha Gachnang will once again take her place behind the wheel of the n°18 car.

Natacha Gachnang commented, "It's really a good feeling to be getting behind the wheel again. We received a fresh new engine and a new turbo on my car since my last race in Donington where I was clocked coming in and out of the curves quicker than my team-mate Kazim Vasiliauskas, (the fastest man in test session 3) but I was losing some 5 km/h on top speed. My car even lost oil on the track! Therefore, now with the fresh equipment, our troubles losing speed on straights should decline and I'll see how we match Jamie Green's Lap Record of 1:23.869 with a Mercedes DTM in 2007. But I have not driven here yet. So I want to see how the new car will handle tomorrow on the track before saying anything."

"However, I have already worked a lot since I arrived in Germany on Thursday at the Motorsport Arena in Oschersleben. We worked around the car and the track configuration. I now have a fair idea of how to start my early 9am practice tomorrow and we had a long and fruitful debrief session with my engineers. The circuit is not easy. Only a few straight lines and it is very twisty which requires a full attention and the smallest mistake can make you lose many positions because the race pace will automatically be close and traffic make it busy. I drove here in Formula BMW and F3. I have a fair idea how to benefit from this smooth and fast circuit. That's what makes the race weekend appealing for us drivers. For now, the weather is a bit cool and it may be windy which could destabilise the cars as well. In any case, today we prepared well for our weekend. I hope to be finishing in a good position."

The 21-year-old young Swiss driver will keep very busy in September with a Formula Le Mans race following weekend in Silverstone on September 13. The penultimate FIA Formula Le Mans race on 18-20 September at Imola and a European tour of Europe to prepare the launch this October on Xbox 360, "Forza Motorsport 3" a game Developed by Turn 10 and Microsoft Studios, that unites the racing game genre making it possible for everyone to experience the thrill of the world's most exotic cars on over 100 different
tracks.

For more information contact:

Jean-Marc Piaget
[email protected]

Agnes Carlier
[email protected]

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

30.08.2009 - F2 Provisional Schedule of the 6th meeting in Oschersleben

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Saturday 04.09.2009

09:00 - 09:30 Official free practice session 1
12:15 - 12:45 Official free practice session 2
17:00 - 17:30 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 05.09.2009

09:30 - 10:00 Qualifications for Race 2

14:15 - 15:00 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

Sunday 06.09.2009

13:50 - 14:20 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

23.08.2009 - Formula Le Mans Nürburgring - Podium

Summary

Natacha Gachnang on the Nuerburgring takes pole and a podium for HopePoleVision Racing in the Formula Le Mans Cup competition

Saturday 22 August 2009 - 20 days after racing at Portimao in the Algarve, the Formula Le Mans Cup competition resumed at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany. This time Natacha Gachnag did not have to split her time like in Portugal between the Radical programme and the Formula Le Mans race. The young Swiss driver nevertheless set the best times in testing for Hope Pole Vision.

Natacha finished fifth in the first Formula Le Mans race and climbed onto the podium for the second race of the fourth round of the season on the 5.4 km German circuit. The Hope PoleVision Racing team, which has 19 points in the general classification with four podiums in five races was hoping for victory in Germany.

After the first tests which had been disrupted by rain, the track had dried for the start of qualifying. Mathias Beche and Christophe Pillon put the two PoleVision Racing cars on the second row. In the second session the track conditions were even more interesting with the sun now shining strongly. Wolfgang Kaufmann set the best time in 1m 52.430s and Cronje completed the front row when Natacha got up to pole for Hope PoleVision Racing! For the first time in the history of Formula Le Mans there was a female driver in pole for the second race which she finished with a brilliant podium.

Natacha Gachnang: "For the first race my team mate took the start and had a good getaway. When I took the wheel I was competitive and careful with my moves to avoid any incidents or damage. We actually had some problems with the brakes and the front wheels locked. In preparing for the second race I wasn't thinking of making the pole! I love the Nuerburgring where I have lots of good memories. The engineers have worked hard to improve the car and I had to remain prudent while the track was slippery. At the start I attacked too hard and the car was sliding around. I then quickly found my rhythm. I would have loved to win, but finishing on the podium is pretty satisfying too. I took a good start from the lead and resisted attacks from behind. The two Hope PoleVision cars were in the lead after the first lap and I worked hard to build our lead and a gap. My codriver Christophe Pillon took over in the lead of the race ahead of Verdonck, Beche, Moro and Toulemonde. But twenty minutes before the finish his pace fell off little by little and was passed by Nico Verdonck. This plus penalties handicapped our eventual classification."

For more information log onto
Live timing - www.ris-timing.be
HopePoleVision racing drivers' and team's results - http://www.hpvracing.ch

16.08.2009 - F2 Donington Park Race 1 and 2

Summary

Natacha Gachnang: Anything can happen, and it did at Donington FIA F2 contest

Free practice - 1.24.821 (20th)
Qualif race 1 - 1.24.472 (19th)
Qualif race 2 - 1.25.324 (22th)
Race 1 (25 laps) - 13th
Race 2 (25 laps) - 17th

Donington Park, Sunday 16 August, 2009 - For today's races the weather was good at Donington. On a dry track, all cars were on slick tyres. Natacha Gachnang left from the clean side of the grid in 19th position for race 1 and finished the first race in 13th with a car intact for the 2nd race of the weekend. The start of Race 2 was quite another story as the car would not start on the grid and stalled. When Natacha Gachnang was pushed back to the pit lane the engine was stopped and would not restart. The other cars started though while Natacha Gachnang could not shift and her car was in reverse. Finally at the end of the pit lane her car started and Natacha got away, although at this stage was already two laps down on her rivals. She didn't give up and went on to finish the race 17th.

Natacha had a fantastic start for the 25 lap first race when key competitors were eliminated at once following a lap one collision: Nicola Di Marco crashed, Jens Hoing had a puncture and Vasiliauskas went off on the formation lap. Then for no reason when she got down to turn 4, Natacha Gachnang spun. Luckily she managed to stay in the race and get back on track and recovered in 21st place even if she lost time despite a best lap (1'26'237). Natacha Gachnang then clocked consistent lap times within two tenths of each other. Later, on lap 17, Jolyon Palmer, Henri Karjalainen and Carlos Iaconelli collided, damaging all three cars. Natacha Gachnang was catching Pietro Gandolfi who was blocking, but then in trying to get past she damaged the nose of her car. Nevertheless she pushed on and after a strong battle, overtook Gandolfi.

Ahead of Natacha there was more action with Alex Brundle recovering from a spin after a close moment with Henri Karjalainen at Coppice, whilst Pietro Gandolfi retired following a double spin at the Fogerty Esses and Goddards. By then, with six laps to go, Natacha Gachnang was ranking 14th. Pavlovic retired and Natacha moved up to 13th.

Natacha explains: "I wished this race one had been longer as I clocked my fastest laps towards the end of the race with 1m26.021s. In race one I did not make any mistakes and still do not know why I spun at the start. I want to see the video of the race because I imagine that someone pushed me and I want to find out. In all that, I am certain that my engine has not functioned well all weekend. As a consequence, I was losing out in the turns and when I was braking. I would like to have a normal car for the next race because I do not like the idea of being over one minute away from the winner Andy Soucek! For race 2 I was prepared for another good start from 22nd on the grid, but the car behaved in a strange way and I stalled. The marshals soon found out that there was nothing to do. I am relieved to hear from the technicians I experienced a rare electrical problem that stalled the car at the start. In the race, the car was behaving fine. I was even faster than in my first race, 0.6s faster a lap than in race one. I spun twice on lap 8 and four laps to the end on lap 21. Again the technicians have no explanations. It is the first time that their data recorded such behavior for an F2 car. I am happy for Julien Jousse's first win in F2, the sixth of his career.

The next event in F2, will be 4-6 Sep 2009 at Oschersleben. But do not think that I will be off next week - I will be at the Nueburgring for a new marathon, jumping from the wheel of my Formula Le Mans to the wheel of my Radical SR5 for the Swiss based team Hope PoleVision Racing. Watch me race there again!"

16.08.2009 - F2 Donington Park Qualifications Race 1 and 2

Summary

Lack of power leads to difficult day at Donington

Free Practice - 1.24.821 (20th)
Qualifying 1 - 1.24.472 (19th)
Qualifying 2 - 1.25.324 (22nd)

Saturday, August 15, 2009 - It was a busy day that kicked off the fifth round of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship at Donington Park, this weekend August 15-16. During the free practice Natacha Gachnang completed 13 laps and clocked a time of 1.24.821 (20th). In first qualifying after 14 laps she qualified in 19th position and in the second qualifying her time
was 1.25.324 and she finished 22nd.

Switzerland's Aigle-born 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, complained about the power of her engine since the test earlier this week and was not able to find a good set-up for the car. However, Natacha Gachnang is confident for the two races tomorrow. Natacha Gachang said: "The day did not go as well as I hoped. The car was very nervous all day and did not improve. I had a lot of oversteer and I was fighting the car in the corners. We have had problems with the engine since our arrival here but I do hope that we can improve. I am working on getting the management to approve the change of the engine before the race, but I am not sure it will work out. There not a lot of time left before our two races tomorrow.

Whatever happens, my aim is to finish with a good result."

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

15.07.2009 - F2 Preview Donington Park

Summary

Natacha Gachnang targets F2 top ten at Donington

Thursday, August 13, 2009 - After a four-week mid-season break, the second British round of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship takes place at Donington Park, this weekend August 15-16. During the break, Natacha Gachnang kept busy by competing in both the Radical and Formula Le Mans races in the Algarve last weekend at the Portimao Circuit (Portugal).

Natacha Gachnang did not know the Donington Park circuit when she arrived early this week for the Tuesday official test session ahead of this weekends races. She enjoyed nearly four hours of scheduled running. By regulation, each driver could only run a maximum of 300 km during the test and completing 76 laps in the last 90-minute session at the 2.5mile circuit, Natacha Gachnang feels ready for races 9 and 10 of the FIA Formula Two Championship, fifth round of the Formula 2 series which returns for the first season in 25 years.

The Swiss female driver was clocked coming in and out of the curves quicker than her team-mate Kazim Vasiliauskas, (the fastest man in test session 3) but was losing some 5 km/h on top speed. The team suspected an engine problem when Natacha Gachnang's car lost oil on the track, which confirmed the problem.

For the first time this season, both races for the 24 drivers will take place on the Sunday as F2 headlines the event. The main race day will also include a special tribute to Henry Surtees, who tragically died after an accident during the second F2 race at Brands Hatch in July.

Natacha Gachnang commented, "Donington is new to me which again makes it an exciting weekend. Overall, the track is not easy and many turns are blind so I needed a bit of time during the test session to feel relaxed and acclimatise to the track. But I feel good now. The track is fast and rewarding even if I find it's 2.5km a bit of a short lap. In any case after a good day of work in testing. I hope to be finishing in the top ten. It's a pity that a mechanical part broke on the car and that led to an oil leak that most probably damaged the engine. With the F2 engineers we are currently evaluating if they will change the engine ahead of the races."

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

15.07.2009 - F2 Provisional Schedule of the 5th meeting in Donington Park

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Saturday 15.08.2009

09:50 - 10:20 Official free practice session

13:00 - 13:30 Qualifications for Race 1
17:00 - 17:30 Qualifications for Race 2

Sunday 16.08.2009

10:50 - 11:35 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)
15:45 - 16:15 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

02.08.2009 - Formula Le Mans /Radical European Master Algarve Portugal

Summary

Natacha Gachnang's weekend of juggling steering wheels at Portimao

Sunday 2 August 2009 - Sunday, a day of two races and the marathon of action continued for Natacha Gachnang with only a few minutes in between her Radical race and the Formula Le Mans race.

The young Swiss driver put in good performances all weekend in Formula Le Mans and in the Radical SR5 of the Hope PoleVision team.

Having set the second best time in the first qualifying of Formula Le Mans, Natacha succeeded in returning to the points with a strong eighth place overall, despite Christophe Pillon losing time with a spin and a faulty gear box.

In the second race, Christophe Pillon who started touched with a competitor and got a stop-and-go penalty. But Natacha, who rejoined in tenth place succeeded in making up ground and finished the race in seventh.

In Radical SR5, Natacha Gachnang was 20th and 12th in the two qualifying sessions before a great performance to finish second in her category. In the second Radical SR5 things started well but the race ended after only 17 laps with Natacha third in her category.

Natacha Gachnang commented, "The weekend has been particularly long and busy ever since we arrived in Portugal on Wednesday and the first tests began on Thursday. We literally didn't stop for a moment but for me it has been a great experience to be able to adapt quickly each time we changed between the two cars."

"My engineers complimented me," she added. "They found that I was very quick with the Radical and appreciated my regular progress with each lap. Personally my second place was a real high point. The Sunday race was more difficult because of an accident in the first lap and my car lost a bit of performance. I suppose that of all the drivers here this weekend I covered the most kilometres.

"In both categories the level of driver skill is very high and the heat made conditions even tougher. It's important to train specifically for this to be able to keep your concentration with such a demanding weekend. I particularly enjoyed driving corner number seven which goes down and to the right - it was very challenging."

"In Formula Le Mans I didn't have the best start in the first race and was right away in fifth place, but I was soon in a good rhythm and one of the fastest drivers on the track. With my team mate we had a bit of bad luck after the pit stop when he had a gearbox problem. In the second Formula Le Mans race I finished seventh and was happy even though we had good starts, but all in all it was a good weekend, apart from John, the truck driver for Hope PoleVision who broke his foot in the paddock. We all worked together though and I even washed my own tyres with Andy my engineer! This weekend was a real marathon in the Portuguese sunshine and not just at the wheel! Now I will rest for two weeks in Ibiza and train hard to ensure I'm ready for the end of the season. I'll be back in action at Donington Park on 15/16 August. I don't know the circuit, but will try to finish the season well."
Log on to sites

Live timing - www.ris-timing.be

http://www.hpvracing.ch to keep up to date with HopePoleVision racing drivers' and team's results

Formula Le Mans and Radical SR5 at Portimao - Natacha Gachnang Races 1:
2nd today
Formula Le Mans, Free Practice 1 (car nr 18) - 3rd place 1.41.716
Formula Le Mans, Free Practice 2 (car nr 18) -5th place 1.41.088
Formula Le Mans, Qualifying practice 1 (car nr 18) -2nd place 1.43.408
Formula Le Mans, Race 1 - Finish Position 8 (car nr 18) with a best time of 1.40.850
Formula Le Mans, Qualifying practice 2 (car nr 18) -9th place 1-41.194
Formula Le Mans, Race 2 - Finish Position 7 (car nr 18) with a best time of 1.42.304

Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Free practice General - 11th place 1.51.408
Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Qualifying practice 1 - 20th place 1.54.302
Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Race 1 - General Finish Position 13 - Best time 1.48.910
Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Race 1 - Finish 2nd category SR5
Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Qualifying practice 2 - 12th Best time 1.51.180
Radical SR5 (car nr 60) Race2- General Finish Position 21 - Best time 1.50.272 - 17 laps only - Natacha Gachnang third of her category.

19.07.2009 - F2 Brands Hatch Race 2

Summary

Natacha Gachnang hopes dashed by red flags

Qualifying Race 2 ­ P9
Race 2 ­ P15

Qualifying Race 1 - P21
Race 1 - P14

Sunday, July 19, 2009 ­ Brands Hatch hosted this weekend's the fourth round of the Formula 2 series which returns for the first season in 25 years where 25 drivers compete in identical cars running Avon tyres. Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss female driver from Aigle finished the first race of the weekend on Saturday at in 14th having started the race 17th on the grid after penalties for a number of her rivals moved her up from 21st in qualifying.
Natacha started the 19-lap race two from ninth, her best qualifying of the season and finished in 15th after the race was stopped four times.

Natacha had a good start to race two, initially climbing up two positions.
But then as the rain fell she dropped a few positions and the race was declared wet and the safety car was out after an accident after some and some of Natacha's rivals spinning off. The race was stopped and declared wet. On the grid, it was difficult to know how much rain would fall over the remaining race or if it was necessary to change the tyres right away for the second start, or better to wait for the suspended race procedure.

Natacha had a slight problem after the restart and put a wheel on the wet grass and got back but before she found her pace again, a second safety car disturbed the race after an accident behind her with Sanchez flying off on the sixth lap. The race resumed with 12 laps to go.
But the Brands Hatch race had a hard time getting going again as Henry Surtees had an accident on the first restart lap. So the rescue crews were on duty again and the race was suspended and neutralised behind the safety car as the red flag was out and a few minutes later, we were again lined up for a restart if there was time. In the end a fourth red flag stopped the race.

Natacha Gachngang commented, "Races are all different and anything can happen. But I am not happy to have finished race two in 15th position, after the good qualifying. But somewhere these few drops of rain spoilt the conditions because of the rain delay and the various accidents. We didn't get to drive all 19 laps and instead had to contend with three restarts.
With my team we have been working hard over the entire weekend and had high hopes for the second race. It is hard on the cars to restart three times and we could not make the most of our competitive package. Now, I will be off to Algarve (Portugal) with Hope Pole Vision, the team with whom I completed my first ever Le Mans podium. It will be a good way to get some excellent training under my belt for our next session in Donington Park mid-August."

http://www.mstworld.com/live/LiveTimingF2.html
http://www.mstworld.com
http://www.formulatwo.com/news/race-1.aspx

Live results on http://www.mstworld.com

Photos on http://natacha-gachnang.ch
And ftp://www.insightf1.com for more information contact

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park

18.07.2009 - F2 Brands Hatch Race 1 and Qualifications Race 2

Summary

FIA Formula Two Championship - Natacha Gachnang (18) - "A promising fourteenth place in race one"

Qualifying for race 2 - P9 ­ 1.17.476
Race 1 - P14

Saturday, July 18, 2009 - 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang put in her best qualifying performance of the season so far for Q2, taking her first top ten grid position in F2. Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss driver from Vevey also finished the first race of the Formula 2 Weekend at Brands Hatch in 14th having qualified 21st but started 17th on the grid following penalties given to some of her rivals.

Brands Hatch hosts fourth round of the Formula 2 series which returns for the first season in 25 years where 25 drivers compete in identical cars running Avon tyres. On this track, World Champion F1 Ayrton Senna won his first ever car race and World Champion Nigel Mansell claimed his first Formula One victory.

In the morning, Natacha Gachnang's result for the second race qualifying left her satisfied after 19 laps. She had clocked her fastest lap on the 15th lap 0.529 off pole in 9th place, her best result this season, in 1:17.476. Again, like yesterday the cars qualified on a dry track despite changeable weather conditions.

In the 28-lap race Natacha Gachnang, who started 17th following penalties to five drivers after yesterday's qualifying had a bad start and dropped to 25th. Natacha Gachnang finished in 14th place after a very competitive race where there was plenty of overtaking and drama throughout the field as she carved her way back up the order. Natacha was back up to 21st after seven laps, 20th after 11 laps and by the time the pace car was out she had moved up to 18th.

"With five laps to go I was in 15th," said Natacha Gachnang. "I was still pushing, but there was not much I could do as Eng, Soucek and Surtees went on the podium. Evidently I am happy to have qualified 9th in the morning.

This is my best qualifying position. I have been getting closer and closer all season and in this qualifying session I have proved I am only five tenths slower than the pole time. The car feels good and I can take more risks than before - it is the first time this season that I have felt so comfortable. The track was much faster than yesterday and I had again a lot of pleasure. Of course I am pleased with the result even if I am frustrated as I know where I could have gone stronger and I did not. But at least I have discovered how to improve. The day was good overall and I also brought my car in race 1 to a 14th place finish. Half-way through the season I can see the progress we have made. It was a tough race. I found my pace and when the safety car was out I was able to progress some more. Because of the start incident I could not get into the points as I hoped. This track fits my driving style and I liked all the difficulties and all corners here. I have a lot of confidence now so I'll be targeting a points finish tomorrow. I got a good finish considering where we started, although without points. I'm looking forward to building on this in the second race tomorrow starting with my highest qualifying position of the season."

http://www.mstworld.com/live/LiveTimingF2.html
http://www.mstworld.com
http://www.formulatwo.com/news/race-1.aspx

Live results on http://www.mstworld.com

Photos on http://natacha-gachnang.ch
And ftp://www.insightf1.com for more information contact

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

18.07.2009 - F2 Brands Hatch Qualifications Race 2

Summary

9th best time during qualifications Race 2

17.07.2009 - F2 Brands Hatch Free Practice and Qualifications Race 1

Summary

Natacha Gachnang getting to grips with Brands Hatch

First free practice 1.20.684 (16th) - 14 laps Second free practice, 1.20.110 (24th) - 20 laps Qualifying 1 - 1.19.006 (21st)

Friday, July 17, 2009 - Switzerland's 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang got to grips with the Brands Hatch circuit for the first time today as she prepared for Saturday's first race of the weekend. She did not know what to expect from the weather that was threatening the whole time and wet in session two, but in the end, she kept her cool and built her confidence and knowledge of the track.

The weather was not stable during the first day of the fourth leg of the new F2 Championship. Natacha, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, clocked a best lap of 1.20.684 in the first free practice where she finished in 16th position after 14 laps. Then in the second free practice her time improved to 1.20.110 and she covered 20 laps.

Natacha Gachnang finished her qualifying 21 after 19 additional laps with an improved time of 1.19.006 in 21st position.

Natacha Gachang said: "Friday is always a full working day discovering the track. Today was no different and it was important for me to drive as much as possible. With 53 laps under my belt I may have driven the most laps of all the drovers and I am happy about it. We changed the set-up several times during the three sessions. At least I learned the track. It looked good this morning with bright sunshine that dried the track following heavy rain and storms overnight and this morning. Our work was hampered by a number of red flags and I had a hard time finding my pace. But I was reasonably happy even if I spun into the gravel on the run up to Sheene Curve, but I did not damage the car. In the second practice, the circuit was damp and I could not improve more at the end of the session as again it rained in the final five minutes. In qualifying we changed the set up a bit. Again there was a lot of traffic and I could not find the rhythm for a better position. I enjoy driving here a lot. It is interesting and difficult with a lot of different turns. I had a great day driving.

Tomorrow, the target is a good second qualifying session. I hope for a good start for race 1."

http://www.mstworld.com
http://www.formulatwo.com/

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

16.07.2009 - F2 Preview Brands Hatch

Summary

Formula Two Championship Natacha Gachnang ready to discover Brands Hatch

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang is back in action
25 years after Brands Hatch hosted the last ever European Formula Two
Championship race. This weekend (17/18/19 July), in Brands Hatch (UK) the
F1 feeder series returns to the Kent circuit for rounds seven and eight of
the 16-race
season across eight different circuits in Europe. The new F2 championship
features 24 identical cars designed by Williams, running on Avon Tyres.

Switzerland's 21 year old Natacha Gachnang does not know the Brands Hatch
track yet except for a session with a hire car: "I've only driven round
Brands Hatch once before. I did not know what to expect but it looks very
interesting. I realized that the track shares a few similarities with Brno
not least the sharp elevation changes and few straights. I had a lot of
pleasure discovering the "Paddock Hill Bend". It looks like one of the most
challenging turns of the entire championship. Between Brands Hatch and
Donington Park, I wonder if you should not be British and raised on these
tracks like Alex Brundle, Henry Surtees, Jack Clarke, Tom Gladdis, Jolyon
Palmer or Jason Moore to succeed in front of the UK fans. The competition
will be spectacular for sure. Imagine, some of the competitors have even be
winning the Formula Palmer Audi Championship in 2008 in Brands Hatch and
almost all of them taken podiums on these tracks!"

"But again it is a different and technical track and I am not the only one
not to have driven here. Championship leader Andy Soucek has never raced at
Brands Hatch either. I hope that I will be able to make the most out of the
sessions to prepare a good set-up with my engineer and to improve on every outing. It
is mid-season, I am fit for the race weekend. I want good weather and a
good result here in order to make the most out of our potential."

Photos on
http://natacha-gachnang.ch and ftp://www.insightf1.com

For more information contact:

Jean-Marc Piaget
[email protected] +41798215678

Agnes Carlier
[email protected] +41794554422

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

15.07.2009 - F2 Provosional Schedule of the 4th meeting in Brands Hatch

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Friday 17.07.2009

10:10 - 10:50 1st Official free practice session
12:50 - 13:20 2nd Official free practice session
16:30 - 17:00 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 18.07.2009

09:45 - 10:15 Qualifications for Race 2
14:00 - 14:45 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

Sunday 19.07.2009

12:45 - 13:20 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

28.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps Race 2

Formula 2 - Spa- Francorchamps - Natacha Gachnang (18): "Improved pace in competitive race two"

Qualifying Race 2 - P20 -2.11.387
Race 2 - P13

Qualifying Race1 - P20 - 2.12.913
Race 1 - P11

Sunday, June 28, 2009 - Spa-Francorchamps hosted this weekend's the third round of the Formula 2 series which returns for the first season in 25 years where 25 drivers compete in identical cars running Avon tyres.
Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss driver from Aigle finished the first race of the Formula 2 Weekend at Spa Francorchamps in 11th having started the race from 20th on the grid. In race 2, the young girl started race two from 20th and finished in 13th.

Natacha had a strong start in race 1 after an accident ahead of her in the first few laps eliminated a number of competitors, slowed down her progress and caused Andy Soucek to be given a ten-second penalty by the FIA stewards following the incident at Les Combes on lap three of Saturday's Formula Two race 1. In race two there were no such incidents although the race was fiercely competitive with Natacha Gachnang taking a good start and brilliantly defending her position from Italian Edoardo Piscopo's as of the ninth lap of the race where the times of the top 10 drivers were all extremely tight.

Natacha Gachngang: "Evidently I am happy to have finished the race 1 in 11th position, after the difficult qualifying. But somewhere I am even more proud to have finished race two in good conditions because there was no incident at the start and my times were better than in the first race. It was very tight and really competitive. I could not make a lot of progress at the start of the race because there was no slot anywhere and I was a bit stuck. So I had to bide my time. It was a good idea because I did not take any risks and waited before overtaking a number of other cars. Towards the end, Piscopo was very threatening behind me, but I was able to control him.
I feel I am getting the job done in a much better way and it pays off to have been working hard. There is a testing session on July 7 ahead of our fourth round in Brands Hatch. It's a positive thing to plan for me as I have never raced in Brands Hatch and all the British competitors are at home there. I'm looking forward to racing on this spectacular track.
This week, I will be off to Paul Ricard to test with the Formula Le Mans cars on Tuesday June 30 with Hope Pole Vision, the team with whom I completed my first ever Le Mans podium two weeks ago, on June 14. I want to familiarise more with their car which is different to this one."

http://www.formulatwo.com/news/race-1.aspx

Live results on http://www.mstworld.com

Photos on http://natacha-gachnang.ch
And ftp://www.insightf1.com for more information contact

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

27.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps Race 1

Summary

Natacha Gachnang (18)- Qualifying P20 - 2.11.387 Race 1 ­ P11

"Climbing to eleventh shows improvement in race one"

Saturday 27 June 2009 - Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss driver from Aigle finished the first race of the Formula 2 Weekend at Spa Francorchamps in 11th having started the race from 20th on the grid.

Spa hosts the third round of the Formula 2 series which returns for the first season in 25 years where 25 drivers compete in identical cars running Avon tyres.

Natacha had a strong start after changeable weather conditions in qualifying meant she started the race from 20th. An accident ahead of her in the first few laps slowed her progress when the safety car was deployed, but Natacha soon found her groove and climbed up to eleventh by the chequered flag, 43.088s off Thomas Hegewald, the race winner.

Natacha Gachngang: "Evidently I am happy to have finished the race and climbed up through the field. It's my second best finish this season and that's a reason to be happy after the difficult qualifying. I got a good start and was making progress right away. There was a lot of action ahead of me and I felt like everyone was crashing so I had to be careful not to get caught up in it and take advantage. When the safety car was out I was up to fifteenth and after it went in I found a good pace and rhythm. The car isn't very easy to drive here but I fought hard and got a good finish considering where we started, although without points. I'm looking forward to building on this in the second race tomorrow."

Photos on http://natacha-gachnang.ch
And ftp://www.insightf1.com for more information contact


2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

26.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps Summary of Friday

Summary

A Long day of preparation for Natacha Gachnang

First free practice, 2.13.425 (21)
Second free practice, 2.14.711 (22)
Qualifying last, 2.19.193 (20)

Friday, June 26, 2009 - Natacha Gachnang was very pleased to be back at Spa for the first day of third round of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship this weekend (26-28 June). It was a busy day for Natacha Gachnang with two free practices and the qualifying session for Saturday's race one.

The weather was typically inconsistent at Spa. Switzerland's Aigle-born 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the re-launched Formula Two championship, clocked 2.13.425 (21st) in the first practice session, 2.14.711 (22nd) in the second session and 2.19.193 (20th) in qualifying.

Natacha Gachang said: "Today was a full working day and we made several changes to the car during the sessions. It has improved but I feel I am a long way off the pace with work to do still. There are a few corners that I have identified and where I'll be able to improve during the race even if I am struggling a bit with understeer. Now it is down to me to see if I have understood that I must do a fast lap in qualifying and that it is not the same style than in F3 where you can push the car regularly until you get the time you want. Here the tyres degrade very quickly. Luckily I had no mechanical problems today, but there was rain when I did not expect it and then the rain stopped too early and I was not in the right place to take advantage of the conditions. Tomorrow I do not know what the weather will be like for our first race, so we need to prepare a good strategy for our race. I will concentrate on having a good start and keeping out of trouble to make progress through the race."

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

26.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps Qualification Race 1

Summary

20th place on the grid for Race 1. Natacha is very dissapointed. Her car is still unstable and she slower of 5 km/h in regard of the best drivers. She makes her maximum, but it looks that her car is not well setup.

The qualification for Race 2 will be held tomorrow at 09:40, and we hope that by them, her engineer will find the miracle setup !

26.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps 2nd free practice session

Summary

This 2nd session was interrupt during almost 10 minutes by the accident of Aleshin.

Natacha ended 22nd with again big problems of stability.

We hope that the setup changes will be efficient.

The qualification session will be held at 16:50

26.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps 1st free practice session

Summary

Natacha ended this 1st free practice session at the 21st place with a 2:13.425 (Best is Hegewald with 2:10.110). Her car was oversteering a lot. She must find at least 1.5s to be competitive.

The next free practice session will be at 13:40.

26.06.2009 - F2 Spa-Francorchamps Preview

Summary

Formula Two Championship ­ Spa Francorchamps

Natacha Gachnang confident for third round

Thursday, June 25, 2009 ­ Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang is back in action this weekend at Spa Francorchamps for the third round of the new F2 championship which features identical cars running on Avon Tyres designed by the Williams F1 Team and has been created as the ultimate feeder category for Formula One.

The third round of the season takes place at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium, a venue that combines 320 km/h straights with 70 km/h hairpins and of course, the unique challenge of Eau Rouge. The series returns 25 years after the F2 last season in a 16-race season across eight different European circuits.

From Aigle, Switzerland's 21 year old Natacha Gachnang is the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship. She is also hoping to follow her cousin Sebastien Buemi into Formula 1.

Natacha Gachnang said, "Spa is so different throughout the 7km circuit: it is the longest track of our season. Eau Rouge, Stavelot, Blanchimont, La Source, Les Combes, Pouhon, make this a fantastic circuit and on top of that we will have to contend with the unpredictable weather in the Ardennes, which can see the circuit wet at one end and dry at the other. I will need to find a good set-up and downforce in order to maximise grip in the corners and to find the solution to ensure good aerodynamic performance in the quicker corners, and a good change of direction in the quick chicanes. At least the two, long flat-out 'straights' on the circuit provide overtaking opportunities. But this means having a perfect car with good top-speed. This has been a critical factor since the start of my season. I hope to find the key to success here and it won't be easy as Spa is also one the most demanding circuits of the season for the tyres."

http://www.race-rally.be/2009/ser2009/default.aspx
http://www.meteobelgique.be

Photos on
http://natacha-gachnang.ch and ftp://www.insightf1.com

For more information contact:

Jean-Marc Piaget
[email protected] +41798215678

Agnes Carlier
[email protected]

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

24.06.2009 - F2 Provosional Schedule of the 3rd meeting in Spa-Francorchamps

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Friday 26.06.2009

11:25 - 11:55 1st Official free practice session
13:40 - 14:10 2nd Official free practice session
16:50 - 17:20 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 27.06.2009

09:47 - 10:17 Qualifications for Race 2
13:10 - 13:50 Race 1 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

Sunday 28.06.2009

15:15 - 16:00 Race 2 (Live on www.formulaTwo.com)

22.06.2009 - Brno Race 2

Summary

Free practice 1 12th, 2.13.641
Free practice 2 16th, 2.22.689
Qualifying 1 final row 2.13.784 7 laps following gearbox failure which cut her qualifying short Qualifying 2 -21st Race 1 P14 Race 2 DNF

Natacha Gachnang: Brno failed to live up to expectations

Sunday 21 June 2009 The rain had finally spared Brno after having washed out the first part of the weekend. A 14th place finish for Natacha in race one had given the Swiss driver from Vevey hope of a better second race in her second weekend of Formula 2. But Natachas efforts for the second race didn't bear fruit and as in Valencia and her fuel pump failed three laps before the finish, forcing her car to a standstill.

Natacha Gachnang explained her weekend: "What a weekend. Yesterday at the start of the race I managed escape an accident and after a second start I got into a good rhythm and didnt make any mistakes. That was the most important thing starting from 25th position and I finished in 14th. I was disappointed though as I wanted to finish in the top eight. We studied the data all evening to improve the car but it didn't bear fruit in the second qualifying. The weather improved, but the red flags disrupted the session.

After 15 minutes I hadn't managed to cover more than five laps and in the end, at the moment that we were going to go again, another red flag stopped the session and left me in 21st on the grid. At the start of the second race the sun was finally shining strongly at Brno. I had a good start and avoided another big accident. After that the safety car was out and I was up to eleventh. I was pushing hard but three laps before the finish my fuel-pump broked down. Like in Valencia, there was nothing else I could do.

We now head to Spa-Francorchamps at the end of the month for my third race which I hope will bring better luck!

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

20.06.2009 - Brno Race 1

Summary

Free practice 1 ­ 12th, 2.13.641
Free practice 2 ­ 16th, 2.22.689

Qualifying ­ final row ­ 2.13.784 ­ 7 laps following gearbox failure which cut her qualifying short Race 1 ­ P14

Natacha Gachnang: "Fortunately the weather forecast was right for the race"

Saturday 20 June 2009 ­ Rain clouds spare Brno today and enabled Natacha Gachnang to climb a long way up the field to finish race one in fourteenth position. The young Swiss driver had started from the back row after a gearbox problem forced her out of qualifying yesterday before the track dried up and her rivals were able to improve their times.

The race took place in dry conditions and Natacha started on slick tyres.
It was a frantic start and Natacha managed to avoid the accident and a wheel that flew above her while several drivers collided in the midfield.

The race was restarted and Natacha was up to fifteenth after four laps and running with a good rhythm. She regularly improved her lap times and progressed through the field.

Natacha commented, "I had a very good start and didn't make any mistakes during the race. That was the most important thing. Starting from 25th position, I'm still disappointed because I was hoping to be in the top eight and would have been given my lap times and had it not been for the gearbox problem in qualifying. At the start I struggled a bit to find my rhythm but that's something we'll study with my engineer to improve the car for tomorrow. I hope that I will have better luck for Sunday and a good omen is that the weather will improve again which is already something"

19.06.2009 - BRNO Qualification Race1

Summary

First free practice, 12th, 2.13.641
Second free practice, 16th, 2.22.689
Qualifying, 25th, 2.13.784, 7 laps only

Natacha Gachnang hoping for change of fortune

Friday, June 19, 2009 ­ Round two of the 2009 FIA Formula Two Championship began today at Brno, Czech Republic, and it was a very busy for Natacha Gachnang with two free practice sessions and the qualifying for Saturday's race one. The weather was very wet over the day with all cars running wet Avon Tyres.

Switzerland's Aigle-born 21-year-old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, went twelfth fastest in the first practice and sixteenth in the second practice. However, a problem with the gearbox struck in qualifying meaning that she will be forced to start from the back of the grid in tomorrow's first race.

Rain continued to fall throughout qualifying, though not as heavily as during today's free practice sessions.

Natacha Gachang said: "Today was a full day and our chance to work on the car again since our race in Valencia but the rain made it difficult all through the day. The first free practice session was really wet and it was easy to go off aquaplaning and there were lots of red flags. In the second free practice things did not go any better and I never found the perfect lap. With Mike Rowe, my engineer we tried to fix the understeer after a few laps in qualifying and we used the red flag interruption to change the set up. The car was working better.

But then I had some trouble with the gearbox and had to stop. At that moment the rain stopped and the drivers still on the track were able to make a good time. Tomorrow I do not know what the weather will be like so we need to prepare different strategy for our race. Even with a good start and strong overtaking, I hope that we can finish somewhere reasonable and have a better position to start race two."

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2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

19.06.2009 - BRNO Singing under the Rain

SUmmary

Singing under the rain .....

The weather is horrible! The 1st test session was not one, so no significant times.

The 2nd session will start in a few minutes and the conditions are the same as for the 1st session.

17.06.2009 - Natacha Gachnang Brno Preview

Preview

Formula Two Championship - Natacha Gachnang ready for round two in Brno

Wednesday, June 17, 2009 - After an exceptional weekend at Le Mans, on June 13-14, Natacha Gachnang is ready for round two of the Formula 2 championship at Brno. Le Mans was a big weekend for Natacha, as she reached the Formula Le Mans podium, finishing the race third for Hope Pole Vision Racing team and achieving a better result than her grandfather Georges did when he was racing in Le Mans(1960).

Natacha Gachnang is back in action now for the new F2 championship featuring 24 identical cars running on Avon Tyres designed by the Williams team and created as the ultimate feeder category for Formula One.

A second weekend in the series for aspiring young drivers takes place this week-end at Brno, CZ in the 16-race season across eight different circuits across Europe. The series returns 25 years after the F2 last season.

From Aigle, Switzerland's 21 year old Natacha Gachnang is the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship - she also hopes to follow her cousin Sebastien Buemi into Formula 1.

She said, - The announcement that Adrian Campos will enter F1 as early as 2010 is wonderful, and that I. will be appointed a test driver is amazing. But I'm keeping my feet on the ground and will be doing everything I can to show great results for the rest of the 2009 season.

The second weekend of the season starts here in Brno. I am optimistic. I know the track because I was the rookie for A1 Team Switzerland in 2006 here and I have been racing in Formula BMW since then and finished in fourth place on both occasions. In our first race in Valencia, I found that the championship is very tight with no real set order and minimal differences between the other drivers. Last week, 21 of us were on the same lap on some of the result sheets! I am also eager to experiment the set-up solutions prepared for race 2, but could not experiment as I was pushed off the track in my very first lap.

17.06.2009 - Q&A- Natacha Gachnang

Q & A

Q&A ? Natacha Gachnang ?
Q - What have you done since the Le Mans race on June 14?
Answer Natacha Gachnang - After the race, the podium and the interviews and photoshoot I came back to the team?s garage and thanked everyone at Hope PoleVision Racing for their wonderful help over the weekend. Then we drove back home with my father Olivier. West to East across France back to Switzerland, is quite a long drive and I wanted to come home early to be fit on Monday when I had a physical training day planned. Yesterday I relaxed which is quite important and then we are off to Brno for F2. I have the impression that I never stop!

Q - What have you learned in Le Mans?
Answer Natacha Gachnang - The Le Mans race is quite different, but it is important to get some experience. There is a rolling start, there is refuelling, there is a change of driver. It is all about team-work. In F2, it is quite different and drivers are more independent. But it is very important for a driver to learn different tracks.

Q What is your experience like in Brno?
Answer Natacha Gachnang - I have been here in A1 in 2006 and Formula BMW race later on. On the two occasions I finished fourth fastest. The track is great in Brno. It is one of the best circuits that I have driven. It is very technical, a lot of esses, chicanes, very fast turns, very long downhill straights. For drivers who have never seen the track before, it will be quite an exercise and possibly a difficult track to learn.

Q What is your take away memory from the first F2 race?
Answer Natacha Gachnang - In Valencia, I learned how to handle the car and work in the F2 championship. Everything goes fast and you do not have a lot of time to think about what to do. It is a race against time. We need to get closer to the organisation race set up to get a good result.

Q What is your goal?
Answer Natacha Gachnang - Finish in the points will be realistic goal.

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

17.06.2009 - F2 Provosional Schedule of the 2nd meeting in Brno

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Friday 19.06.2009

10:00 - 10:30 1st Official free practice session
14:00 - 14:30 2nd Official free practice session
17:00 - 17:30 Qualifications for Race 1

Saturday 20.06.2009

12:05 - 12:50 Race 1 (Eurosport)

Sunday 21.06.2009

09:00 - 09:30 Qualifications for Race 2
13:50 - 14:20 Race 2 (Eurosport)