EU 2000: SG Formuls's triple crown

Triple Crown!

Victories, pole positions and titles have rewarded the talent, dedication and determination of SG Formula staff and drivers since the month of April. Romain Grosjean became Formula Renault 2.0 French champion at the end of an exceptional series of 10 wins, 10 pole positions and 11 fastest laps. Yann Clairay, always at the leading edge of the contest, three times winner and five times poleman, made it to the final podium of Eurocup, an increasingly contested and international competition: it attracts very experienced teams, mostly also involved in top level motorsports. Some even enjoy the status and resources of a "Junior team" in partnership with the manufacturers involved in Formula 1 such as Red Bull or Toyota.

SG Formula also won two team titles in the two championships it competed in. This other exploit was by no means a matter of chance given that the 4 drivers involved in the French championship number among the first 6, whereas their Eurocup "colleagues" finished in 3rd and 4th place. The fact that the last two events in Magny-Cours and Monza both ended on a double is clearly a sign of things to come for the most typical of La Rochelle Formula Renault team!

Prizes at Every Event

Strangely, the first events of the two championships, Nogaro and Zolder, did not produce the results expected. But the best was yet to come with a memorable event at each stage of the French and European circuit. Lédenon saw a first win in motorsports for Franck Mailleux, a first win of the season for SG Formula and the first of a series of 13, uninterrupted up to the end of the French championship!

In Pau, the first win of the season for Romain Grosjean which was to be the first of his 3 "grand slams" with two pole positions, two wins that came with the fastest laps.

In Dijon, Romain Grosjean took the lead at the head of the French championship.

In Valencia, Romain Grosjean snapped up his two first European podiums. He reached second position in the overall placing before deciding wisely to concentrate on the national title.

At Val de Vienne, Johan Charpilienne obtained his first motorsport win.

At Le Mans, before 180,000 spectators, the team had 5 cars in Eurocup and 4 in the French championship and 3 out of 4 possible wins, including its first of the year at European level.

In Bilbao, Dutchman Carlo Van Dam climbed onto the podium for the first time in Eurocup.

At Oschersleben, for the first time this year, two SG Formula drivers finished on the same European podium.

At Albi, SG Formula obtained his first one-two. Romain Grosjean was crowned French champion as expected. Similarly, SG Formula was again awarded the "teams" title already won in 2004.

Yann Clairay faced double disappointment at Donington, unfortunately, with a "first" and a last!

At Estoril, for the first time, Yann Clairay and Carlo Van Dam put two SG Formula cars on the first row of the grid. Half an hour later, Yann brought the team its first win outside France.

At Magny-Cours, Julien Jousse had his first win in Formula Renault. 4 members of the "France" team were therefore race winners. A record in the history of the Formula Renault 2.0 French Championship.

At Monza, thanks to the first European double won by Yann Clairay and Carlo Van Dam, SG Formula won its third title of 2005, the first international title in its history, the Eurocup teams!

SG Formula 2005 drivers, seen by their team-manager Stéphane Guérin

Romain Grosjean
"Romain took control of this French Championship and winning the title was only natural. He has reaped the rewards of last year's work and corrected his weak points bringing us all up with him.

Johan Charpilienne
Regularly at the front, Johan reached a new level this year. With a little more success, he could have competed for the podium of the French championship.

Franck Mailleux
Franck showed good form, as he did at Lédenon or at his last event at Magny- Cours, although he has yet to advance in the qualification phases.

Julien Jousse
The year did not get off to a good start for Julien but it ended well and that is the main thing when considering the title for next season. He is rising talent, a driver who is making real progress and has an impeccable mindset.

Yann Clairay
At the beginning of the year I said that Yann had further to go and he has succeeded in this respect. He competed for the title and can leave Formula Renault with his head held high - even though he is a little sad that the season is over as we have very much enjoyed competing together. The whole team is sad to see its "warrior" leave!

Carlo Van Dam
Carlo was one of the least experienced of the leading bunch at Eurocup. He competed for his first real season in motorsport after several events in the Dutch Championship in 2004. The result was very satisfactory, he encountered almost no obstacles and regularly scored high points. If, like Yann or Romain this year, he succeeds in going a little further and is a little more daring on the track, he could win the championship."

-sg-