Formula Renault 2.0
Report of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0' first qualifying session.
Group A
Group A was first out and Robin Frijns immediately set the pace. But the session was interrupted by a long neutralization period due to the accidents of Meindert Van Buuren (KTR) and Denis Nagulin (Cram Competition). Finally, the drivers only had time for a single flying lap.
Javier Tarancon (Tech 1 Racing) set the fastest time in Group A in 1m 44.483s ahead of Yann Zimmer (Arta Engineering) and Frijns (Josef Kaufmann Racing). Timmy Hansen (Interwetten.com Junior Team) and Paul-Loup Chatin (Tech 1 Racing) got caught out in the confusion and will start from the back of the grid.
Group B
Javier Tarancon’s time was the one to beat from the Group B drivers. Will Stevens (Fortec Motorsport) was the first to improve, and took provisional pole in 1m 44.523s just before the red flag was hung out after Richard Gonda’s (Krenek Motorsport) off.
When the all-clear was given Carlos Sainz Jr., Will Stevens, Stoffel Vandoorne, Oscar Andres Tunjo and Norman Nato went at it hammer and tongs to bag pole. The final lap proved decisive, and Sainz emerged on top with a lap in 1m 43.299s, his fourth pole of the season.
Carlos Sainz Jr: “It was vital to have a fault-free last lap. I spoke a lot with my engineer to find the right window. Today, I think I drove my best lap ever in a single-seater. I’m happy with this result and now I have win again as I haven’t scored a victory since Spa-Francorchamps. I’ve made mistakes and luck hasn’t always been on my side. I want to put all that behind me and win this race!”
Norma Nato: “I’m both happy and disappointed with this result as my car was quick enough to set pole. It was all decided on the last lap on which I lost a little time in the traffic. Not a lot but enough to put me back to second. I want to finish the year on a high note – with a victory!”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.