Spa-Francorchamps
More than 60,000 spectators flocked to the season’s second World Series by Renault meeting at Spa-Francorchamps. On the track there were victories for Kevin Magnussen and local hero Stoffel Vandoorne in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, while Oliver Rowland and Luca Ghiotto were the weekend’s winners in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Mike Verschuur and Mirko Bortolotti topped the podium in the Eurocup Megane Trophy races and Nicolas Milan registered a Eurocup Clio double. The Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show, featuring Sebastien Buemi, also kept the fans entertained, as did the demonstrations put on by the Renault Sport range and the Renault Captur.
Jean-Paul Renaux, Managing Director of Renault Belgique Luxembourg: “World Series by Renault has been a great success at Spa-Francorchamps this year, just as it is every year. This is an especially important event for Renault as it allows us to develop the marque’s sporting image in Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the surrounding countries. The standard of the racing is very high and the organisation is always perfect. With 60,000 spectators, the World Series by Renault has a very big impact.”
Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Wins for Magnussen and home boy Vandoorne
Spa-Francorchamps welcomed round four of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series season, and just as he did at the Belgian track last year, Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen seized pole for both races. A winner on Saturday, he had to be content with third in Sunday’s race, won by Stoffel Vandoorne in front of his home crowd. Nevertheless, the Dane remains firmly in command in the championship.
Race 1: 1. K. Magnussen, DEN (DAMS); 2. A. F. Da Costa, POR (Arden Caterham); 3. N. Melker, FRA (Tech 1 Racing)
Race 2: 1. S. Vandoorne, BEL (Fortec Motorsports); 2. W. Stevens, GBR (P1 by Strakka Racing); 3. K. Magnussen, DEN (DAMS)
Overall standings: 1. K. Magnussen 115 pts; 2. S. Vandoorne 86; 3. A. F. Da Costa 71
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Gasly the big winner as Rowland and Ghiotto triumph
It was all change in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 after Matthieu Vaxiviere’s dominant display in Spain a few weeks ago, as Oliver Rowland and Luca Ghiotto starred on the demanding Spa track to claim a win apiece. It was also a profitable two days for Pierre Gasly, who finished second on both occasions to move to the top of the points.
Race 1: 1. O. Rowland, GBR (Manor MP Motorsport); 2. P. Gasly, FRA (Tech 1 Racing); 3. O. Tunjo, COL (Josef Kaufmann Racing)
Race 2: 1. L. Ghiotto, ITA (Prema Powerteam); 2. P. Gasly, FRA (Tech 1 Racing); 3. B. Bonifacio, BRA (Prema Powerteam)
Overall standings: 1. P. Gasly 53; 2. M. Vaxiviere 51; 3. J. Dennis 42
Eurocup Megane Trophy: Mike Verschuur breaks Mirko Bortolotti’s run
The winner of the year’s opening two races, Mirko Bortolotti had his perfect start to the season ended on Saturday, when 2009 champion Mike Verschuur drove a flawless race, complete with a hitch-free refuelling stop, to win in his Megane Trophy V6. Twenty-four hours later the Italian was back on top of the podium as he consolidated his championship lead.
Race 1: 1. M. Verschuur, NED (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur); 2. K. Snoeks, NED (Oregon Team); 3. E. Janis, CZE (Gravity Charouz)
Race 2: 1. M. Bortolotti, ITA (Oregon Team); 2. M. Verschuur, NED (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur); 3. M. Braams, NED (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur)
Overall standings: 1. M. Bortolotti 87 pts; 2. M. Verschuur 53; 3. M. Braams 47
Eurocup Clio: Milan trumps Tremoulet not once but twice
France’s Nicolas Milan and Eric Tremoulet dominated the weekend’s events in Eurocup Clio, fighting out two intense duels at the head of the 38-car field. Nicolas Milan won both of them to take to the top of the championship standings ahead of Josh Files, who climbed on to the podium in race two.
Race 1: 1. N. Milan, FRA (Team LMV CL Brakes); 2. E. Tremoulet, FRA (Vic’ Team); 3. M. Pedala, ITA (Composit Motorsport)
Race 2: 1. N. Milan, FRA (Team LMV CL Brakes); 2. E. Tremoulet, FRA (Vic’ Team); 3. J. Files, GBR (Team Pyro)
Overall standings: 1. N. Milan 72 pts; 2. J. Files 62; 3. M. Pedala 56
The next WSR meeting will take place at Moscow Raceway in Russia on 22-23 June.
Official Renault Sport Press Release.