March 16, 2015

 

36 points in the first two races represent the team's best haul since the 2013 season, with the team showing renewed sharpness at the front.
It is safe to say Nordsjoen Racing did not enjoy a glorious 2014 season. The Superleague stalwarts completed last year with just one fourth place finish to their name, a promising start giving space to a disappointing string of under-par performances and DNFs.

Hampered by lack of support from its Martex engine customers, the team struggled to match the development efforts of its Potentia-Powered rivals and fell to seventh in the standings, its lowest position since its final season as EIRE in 2007.

Having opted to go alone in terms of engine development, the 2008, 2009 and 2010 World Constructors' Champions enjoyed somewhat of a revival, claiming a fine podium with Agustin Canapino in Australia and fourth place with Florian Geier in Bahrain, a race in which Canapino disconnected when in P2.

"It has surely been a big boost in terms of confidence" said Team Owner Will Ponissi about the first two races. "We always knew we had the facilities and capabilities to return to the sharp end of the grid, but things never seemed to click together in 2014 for one reason or the other."

With results coming regularly the way of the Kristiansand-based team, it is hard to point out the single reason for the upturn in fortunes.

"It is a combination of factors" says Ponissi. "You have a more balanced car, you do not need to focus on engine customers and you can concentrate on getting the best result for your own team. This, in turn, puts you farther up on the grid, which reduces your chances of ending up in some midfield scrap - those incidents that proved so costly last year."

The return to form of the team is mirrored by an increase in competitiveness by rivals like Hawkeye, Vod:Bul and the consistent form of CSG and Midnight. The crowded battle at the front may hide the true return to form of Nordsjoen, but Ponissi is not concerned.

"It is great to go into every race not knowing who is going to come out on top. There are six or seven drivers who can genuinely win every round and this is what is making the Superleague beautiful this year. We just know how competitive it is and know we need to keep working hard as our rivals will do just the same."