Formula Renault 2.0
Britain’s Jake Dennis (Fortec Motorsports) has taken pole for Saturday’s Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race at Spa-Francorchamps. Joining him on the front row is Oscar Tunjo (Josef Kaufmann Racing), with France’s William Vermont (ARTA Engineering) and Pierre Gasly (Tech 1 Racing) sharing the second row.
Thick fog delayed qualifying for several hours and when the drivers in Group A finally got the session under way, Oscar Tunjo stamped his authority on proceedings. Responding to the challenges laid down by Pierre Gasly (Tech 1 Racing) and Ignazio D’Agosto (KTR), the Colombian recorded a time of 2:26.099 to seal a place on the front of the grid from Pierre Gasly, Andrea Pizzitola (ART Junior Team) and Benjamin Bailly (RC Formula).
“I’m assured a place on the front row now, which is great because it’s going to be tough to overtake out there,” said a delighted Oscar Tunjo. “This is an important race and the team deserves a good result for all its hard work.”
The lap times quickly began to fall when the drivers in Group B emerged on the track, with Esteban Ocon (ART Junior Team), William Vermont and Jake Dennis locked in an early battle for supremacy. The British driver had the final say with a lap of 2:20.303, outpacing William Vermont, Oliver Rowland (Manor MP Motorsport) and Luca Ghiotto (Prema Powerteam) to take pole for this afternoon’s race.
“The session went really well and we managed to avoid the traffic,” said the polesitter afterwards. “The team has done a fantastic job in setting the car up just right. This is my first pole of the year. I’m expecting a tough race, though, and I need to make a good start.”
The weekend’s opening Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race will start at 14:00.
Official Renault Sport Press Release.