Moscow Raceway
Russia staged an international track event for the first time in its history last weekend at the all new Moscow Raceway. Officially opened in the presence of Alain Prost and track architect Hermann Tilke, the track hosted the season’s latest World Series by Renault meeting, which attracted 85,000 race fans, entertained by some typically tough racing and a festive atmosphere. The event also had a Formula One feel to it thanks to the demonstration drives laid on by Red Bull Racing and Caterham F1 Team, with Daniel Ricciardo and Vitaly Petrov behind the wheel. All in all, WSR’s first visit to Russia proved to be a big hit with the spectators, the media and the drivers and teams competing in the three categories on show in Moscow.
Denis Le Vot, Assistant Managing Director Renault Russia: “It was an honour for us to be the first to organise such a large event in Russia at the new Moscow Raceway. I think this inaugural meeting will be an important milestone. It was a wonderful festival of a sport and a great event, with 85,000 people coming through the gates. Renault was the leading make of car in Russia in the first half of 2012, with 100,000 cars sold. Thanks to these figures and our commercial strategy, we can see that we represent a popular brand, a fact confirmed by this event. We mobilised our distribution networks, invited all our customers and our major partners such as Moscow City Council, and we have also been running a nationwide promotional and media plan over the last few months. As a result, the World Series by Renault has helped us project our image, one that combines sport and technology. This inaugural meeting has exceeded our expectations and the door to the future is now wide open.”
Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Frijns first across the line at the Moscow Raceway
Saturday 14 July 2012 will live long in the memory of Robin Frijns (Fortec Motorsports). After enjoying his first Formula One drive in the Red Bull-Renault RB6, the Dutchman became the first man to win an international track race in Russia, beating Jules Bianchi (Tech 1 Racing) and Sam Bird (ISR) to the chequered flag. “To win a race on a track that’s new to everyone is a great sign for me,” said the 2011 Eurocup Formula Renault champion. Twenty-four hours later it was Arthur Pic’s turn to take the limelight, the Frenchman securing his and Dams’ first Formula Renault 3.5 Series win, something that both driver and team had been waiting a long time for. Fittingly, Pic’s success came just a day after Bastille Day. Walter Grubmuller (P1 Motorsport) and Kevin Korjus (Tech 1 Racing) completed an unfamiliar podium featuring not one of the championship leaders. “I’ve had other opportunities since the start of the season, especially at Motorland Aragon, but I’ve had a bad start every time,” Pic explained. “Despite all the collisions going on, I had a good first lap, and then the car went perfectly. I’m very happy with this win and it’s also an important one for Dams.”
Race 1: 1. Robin Frijns, NED (Fortec Motorsports); 2. Jules Bianchi, FRA (Tech 1 Racing); 3. Sam Bird, GBR (ISR)
Race 2: 1. Arthur Pic, FRA (Dams); 2. Walter Grubmuller, AUT (P1 Motorsport); 3. Kevin Korjus, EST (Tech 1 Racing)
Overall standings: 1. Frijns, 111 pts; 2. Bird, 101; 3. Bianchi, 85
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Kvyat hits back hard on home soil
Daniil Kvyat gave his fans at the Moscow Raceway the perfect gift on Saturday, making a fast start and driving a commanding race to take first place from Stoffel Vandoorne and Oliver Rowland. “It was a tough race and a battle all the way through,” said the winner afterwards. The Russian produced a repeat performance on Sunday’s race, jumping into the lead at the start and then defying both the rain and championship rival Vandoorne to win again, with Rowland third once more. The victory was Kvyat’s fifth of the season and moves him ahead of the Belgian in the overall standings by a single point. “It still hasn’t sunk in what it means to win twice in Russia. I think the title is definitely between Stoffel and me. I’m in the lead by just one point, but I’ve won five races to his two so I think I’m pretty well placed,” added the Russian, who hails from the city of Ufa.
Race 1: 1. Daniil Kvyat, RUS (Koiranen Motorsport); 2. Stoffel Vandoorne, BEL, (Kaufmann Racing); 3. Oliver Rowland, GBR (Fortec Motorsports)
Race 2: 1. Kvyat; 2. Vandoorne; 3. Rowland
Overall standings: 1. Kvyat, 147 pts; 2. Vandoorne, 146; 3. Norman Nato, 72
Eurocup Megane Trophy: Costa closes the gap
Fabien Thuner’s race strategy paid dividends on Saturday as he pipped Stefano Comini and Niccolo Nalio to the line to claim his first Eurocup Megane Trophy triumph. “Though this win’s been a long time coming, I’ve kept on believing. It’s great to be the first winner in a saloon car here,” commented the Swiss driver. Albert Costa was the star of the show on Sunday, turning in an impressive drive to chalk up the second Eurocup Megane Trophy win of his career, the speedy Spaniard topping the podium from Nalio and Tom Coronel, helping him to close in on championship leader Bas Schothorst, who had a largely disappointing weekend. “The second half of the championship starts today. There’s a big gap between Bas Schothorst and I, but it’s not impossible for me to bridge it,” said Costa.
Race 1: 1. Fabien Thuner, SUI (Oregon Team); 2. Stefano Comini, SUI (Team Lompech Sport); 3. Kevin Gilardoni, ITA (Oregon Team)
Race 2: 1. Albert Costa, ESP (Oregon Team); 2. Niccolo Nalio, ITA (Oregon Team); 3. Tom Coronel, NED (TDS Racing)
Overall standings: 1. Bas Schothorst, 158 pts; 2. Costa, 126; 3. Nalio, 96
Official Renault Sport Press Release.