In many respects, the 5th round of the 2015 FIA European F3 Championship marks the turning point of the season. For Dorian Boccolacci, the Spa-Francorchamps race remains the first race where he revealed the extent of his talent in F3 including a top five in race 2 and his first championship points.

"I now have the feeling of recovering much of my on-track deficit compared to my competitors," says Lotus F1 Junior Team driver. "Until then, I had always been one step behind. In race 2 I also no longer had a grid penalty for engine replacement. This changes everything and going forward it is all open. Everything is happening in order, I have more experience and the performance is there. My engine is now at the top and Team Signature has done an excellent job as demonstrated by Alexander Albon, 3rd in race 1."

Dorian completed top-level performances throughout the weekend on the dizzying 7km Spa-Francorchamps track which he learned on a dry track as in race 2 as well as with changing grip in the other two races. He made a superb start from the 31st position (because of the penalty) in race 1, with seven places gained by the second lap. Dorian then gradually climbed up to 18th position, a total gain of 13 seats.

His 9th fastest time in Q2 allowed him to start in the top 10 for the first time in race 2, a necessary condition to obtain a good result. Especially as the incidents and accidents happened at a frantic pace and caused a significant safety car intervention. Dorian took advantage of the disturbances to return to 5th place, while setting the sixth fastest lap of the race. "A top five, which is good for morale, especially as I was the top rookie! I feel liberated after a difficult start to the season, and I have scored my first points in the championship!"

Fought again on a slippery track, race 3 saw even more significant progression for the young driver from the FFSA Equipe de France Circuit. "I got a great start and I moved from 8th to 5th position, including on the outside of Charles Leclerc. I then attacked for 4th at les Combes, but he touched me after I had passed and I went 360. There was nothing I could do, and the driver was sanctioned. Afterwards, I thought about how to avoid such incidents which is necessary to keep performing at this level."

Left 17th, Dorian fought to regain places, and finally finished 13th overall this time setting the fifth fastest time of the race. The weekend in the Belgian Ardennes was more than positive for the French Team Signature driver, who is already preparing for the next stage in Germany at the Norisring.