Eurocup Mégane Trophy
Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team) was fastest overall in collective testing at the Red Bull Ring on Friday. Gilardoni finished the day ahead of team-mates Mirko Bortolotti, who set the best time in the morning session, and Kelvin Snoeks. Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) and Steven Palette (Team Lompech Sport), meanwhile, were fourth and fifth respectively.
Weather conditions were ideal as the Eurocup Megane Trophy field took to the Red Bull Ring. Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) went fastest in the early stages of the morning session, before Oregon Team’s Mirko Bortolotti and Kevin Gilardoni replaced him at the top and traded the lead.
The pair picked up the pace further in the closing minutes. But it was Bortolotti, the championship leader, who finished the session fastest with a lap of 1:35.206. Kevin Gilardoni was second, followed by Mike Verschuur, Kelvin Snoeks and Steven Palette.
In the early afternoon, the drivers were faced with track temperatures of more than 50C. The highlight of the first half of the session was a battle between Kevin Gilardoni and Mirko Bortolotti, with the latter taking the upper hand.
Bortolotti improved his best effort five minutes from the end, before returning to the pits. Kevin Gilardoni, however, stayed out on track and regained top spot with a lap of 1:35.177, finishing ahead of Kelvin Snoeks and Bortolotti. Steven Palette and Mike Verschuur followed behind the Oregon Team trio.
What they said :
Kevin Gilardoni : "I didn’t have any luck at the previous meetings. I’m always quick but I haven’t been able to make it count when I’ve really needed to. I’ve put all of that out of my mind, though. Mirko is very fast, and competing with and against him is key for my future. I’m happy with how these testing sessions have gone. My aim is to perform well and take the 50 points."
Mirko Bortolotti : "I’m not focusing on the lap times, but rather on the work we’ve done. It’s always pleasing to finish first – especially here, as I live in Austria. The team and I need to keep going in this direction. Kevin is quick, too, and we push each other along."
Kelvin Snoeks : "It’s always good to finish in the top three on day one. This performance gives me hope ahead of qualifying tomorrow. Mirko and Kevin have done a great job today. But I wasn’t really pleased with the second session. I still need time. Let’s wait and see what tomorrow brings for us."
Official Renault Sport Press Release.