Tech 1 Racing boss Simon Abadie has admitted that he is still coming to terms with the fact that his second-year World Series by Renault operation has broken its duck at the most glamorous race on the calendar.
The former racer may have had hopes of success this season after picking up 2006 frontrunner Alvaro Parente on the eve of the first race, but appears to have talking himself around, despite the Portuguese being a threat at every round so far and lying second in the championship.
Parente was on the pace from the word 'go', setting the second-fastest time of Thursday's practice session, but, having been the first cars out on a 'green' track, the field had to wait until Saturday morning for qualifying - when conditions proved to be mixed. While rookie team-mate Julien Jousse spun at Rascasse and Ste Devote in quick succession - just making the field for Sunday, Parente dominated the second qualifying group, going quickest after just ten of the allocated 25 minutes. Although
Sebastian Vettel bettered the mark, Parente retook top spot - only to spin out at the Swimming Pool while refusing to lift off. Thankfully, the yellow flags for his recovery prevented anyone from going faster, handing Tech 1 its first WSbR pole.
The Portuguese ace made a perfect getaway to Sunday's race, leading into the first corner from title rival Vettel. The pair soon pulled out an advantage over the rest of the field, although the gap between the two was never more than a couple of seconds,
“The car understeered a bit on the tight corners, but I had better traction,” Parente reported, "Sebastian was never really able to challenge me.”
With Monaco's tight streets precluding any realistic overtaking opportunity, the Portuguese driver soaked up the pressure to the end, giving Tech 1 Racing cause for huge celebration.
![Alvaro Parente - Tech 1 Racing [pic credit: Renault Sport]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/328990.jpg)
