Arthur Pic is Ready for Action
Tech 1 Racing’s Arthur Pic gave the best performance in collective testing for the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 at Brno today, when he set the fast lap just as the chequered flag fell. Teammate Aaro Vainio also put on a good show, finishing the session in second place ahead of Interwetten's Luciano Bacheta.
The drivers in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 were the first in the World Series by Renault to take to the Brno circuit. Even though the sky was threatening rain throughout the morning, the track remained dry and the competitors wasted no time in getting down to business. For many of them, the main goal was to get a handle on the Czech circuit.
Nevertheless, certain among them had driven here last season, including current Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship leader Korainen Bros Motorsport’s Kevin Korjus, who won two races here in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC. The Estonian dominated the start of the session, setting the first fastest lap in 1’58”832 to lead local driver Krenek Motorsport’s Adam Kout.
As time passed, it was teammate Miki Weckstrom who was the first to better Kout’s flying lap, snatching pole position with a time of 1’58”324. MP Motorsport’s Daniel de Jong was the next to join the fight for first place, while Kout held on to second. But Kevin Korjus reclaimed control of the session with a time of 1’58”061. The session was interrupted towards the end as Cram Competition’s André Nagrao left the track. Kevin Korjus therefore finished the morning as leader, ahead of Daniel De Jong, Adam Kout, Miki Weckstrom and Korainen Bros Motorsport’s Bart Hykelma.
The conditions were perfect in the afternoon, as Arthur Pic proved when he set a time of 1’58”152 on his first flying lap. The Frenchman immediately went one better, smashing the time to beat, set during the morning by Kevin Korjus, with a lap of 1’57”529. Luciano Bacheta also set a time of under 1’58 to claim second.
Meanwhile, Epsilon Euskadi’s Antonio Riberas and Miguel Otegui each took their turn to hold first and second. Before long, the stakes were raised higher still as Daniel de Jong lapped in just 1'57"231 to snatch pole, but Miki Wekstrom's red flag took the wind out of everyone's sails. When the drivers returned to the track, it was the last lap of the session that proved decisive. Luciano Bacheta pushed harder than ever to reclaim the lead, but Aaro Vaino, followed by Arthur Pic went one better just as the chequered flag fell. With a final lap time of 1’56”326, it was Pic who finished the day with the fastest time safely under his belt. He starts Saturday's race ahead of Vainio, Bacheta and de Jong.
Arthur Pic : “I’ve already driven here in Formul’Academy two years ago.” This morning we had a bit of trouble finding the right rhythm, whereas the guys who've already raced here in NEC were right on the pace. Having said that, we did everything right in the second session. It’s a cracking circuit and the car works really well here.”
Official Renault Sport Press Release