Although reduced to a single machine for the opening round of the 2009 World Series by Renault, RC Motorsport still managed to open their account with an eighth place finish for Pasquale di Sabatino.

The Italian team arrived at the Circuit de Catalunya with just the ex-Comtec driver in tow after the decision was taken to enter just a single car for this year's curtain raiser.

Nonetheless, despite concluding his race deal later than most of his rivals, former podium winner di Sabatino acquitted himself well, just missing out on a Superpole placing to qualify 14th.

Running well in the first race, di Sabatino raced inside the top ten at one stage, but would eventually finish just outside the points 11th.

Race two proved to be more successful for di Sabatino, despite being caught out by a mid-race rain shower that forced him to pit for a second time. Nonetheless, di Sabatino pushed on to eventually finish eighth – the third highest driver to have been forced to stop twice.

"It was a difficult race, especially because of the rain. Half of the circuit was still dry and the other side was really wet. In fact I have waited before to fitting to the rain tyres so as not to have doubts about the choice. Then the conditions become worse and many drivers have had problems to stay on track.

“At the beginning of the safety car period, the group were compact but it was very difficult not to lose the grip without risking mistakes. Two laps before the end Hartley was behind me and I thought not to force any attempt to manoeuvre and to complete the race but ended under red flag so I kept the eighth position. I am very happy with the result.”