AIX Racing closes another weekend without points in Monaco. The team experienced three DNFs within the four races.
Monte Carlo Proves a Major Challenge for AIX Racing
AIX Racing leaves Monaco with plenty to reflect on after a difficult weekend in the Principality, marked by three retirements across four races. The team continues its struggle to score points, with the last coming from Joshua Dürksen’s tenth-place finish in the Bahrain Feature Race.
Monaco presented a real opportunity to move up in the standings and perhaps capitalise on the chaos that often unfolds on the tight street circuit. However, things did not go as planned, and both drivers faced significant challenges throughout the weekend.
Joshua Dürksen Suffers Two Retirements
After almost reaching the points in Imola, Dürksen aimed to redeem himself in Monte Carlo. The iconic circuit, beloved by drivers for its unique layout and rich history, was the next test.
Unfortunately, the weekend started on the back foot. Dürksen qualified sixth in his group, more than six-tenths off Victor Martins’ benchmark time. This left him starting 12th on the grid, once again, outside the Top 10.
In the Sprint Race, the AIX Racing driver managed to climb to P10, but pressure from Oliver Goethe behind led to disaster. Goethe attempted an overtake in a section of the track too narrow for two cars, resulting in contact. Dürksen’s car was too damaged to continue, forcing his retirement.
Sunday brought more misfortune. Despite starting from the back, Dürksen avoided the initial chaos and began making progress.
But as the race resumed, another incident unfolded at Turn 17. Battling Kush Maini for sixth place, Dürksen misjudged the braking point. As Maini slowed, Dürksen, too close behind, clipped his rear, damaging his car and ending his race prematurely for the second time in the weekend.
It was a weekend to forget for the Paraguayan, who failed to finish either race.
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Cian Shields Still Chasing First Points
The Monaco weekend was equally frustrating for Cian Shields. The Scottish-Irish driver qualified last in Group B, finishing three seconds off the pace set by Alex Dunne. This left him starting 19th for both races.
Saturday saw Shields drop to the back of the field. While trying to recover, he collided with Rafael Villagómez at Mirabeau, attempting an ambitious move around the outside. He closed the line too tightly, causing contact and forcing his retirement. His car was left in the hands of the stewards.
Sunday began more positively as Shields avoided the early-race chaos and restarted in tenth position, a potential points-scoring opportunity. However, he was unable to maintain pace and dropped to 13th by the checkered flag, once again finishing outside the points.
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A Weekend to Learn from for Aix Racing
While the Monaco round may be one AIX Racing would rather forget, there are always lessons to take forward. The team now shifts focus to the next race in Barcelona, a circuit familiar to all the drivers, thanks to extensive testing and prior experience there.
Last year, AIX Racing struggled at the Spanish track, but with hard work and better fortune, they will be hoping to return to the form they showed at the start of this season.
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Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
Recording Date: 22.05.2025
