Formula Renault 3.5
Estonian Kevin Korjus, winner of the 2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, made a big impression in 2011 in his maiden season in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. The Gravity Academy driver finished second in the Rookie Classification, won three races and was rewarded for his achievements with an F1 test in the Lotus Renault R31. This year the 19-year-old youngster is gunning for the title. To win, though, he has to get to grips with a new car that is even more like an F1.
Korjus made people sit up and take notice by winning the 2010 Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup. Last season, in one of the Tech 1 Racing Formula Renault 3.5 Series cars, he confirmed that he is a potential F1 candidate. After being the youngest driver to win the Eurocup title, he set a new record by becoming the youngest driver to win a race in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series!
At the age of only nineteen, the Estonian who now lives in Oxford to be near the Gravity Academy base, the Lotus F1 GP team’s training school, now has to confirm his promise. “Kevin’s aim is very clear, it’s the title,” says Simon Abadie, the Tech 1 Racing team manager. “We’ve helped train Charles Pic, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Riccardo who have all been promoted to F1 this year. Although Kevin is much younger than them he’s clearly following in their footsteps. As he’s part of Gravity Academy he knows he’s stacked all the cards in his favour to move up into Formula 1. He’s got the potential.”
This year sees the arrival of a new car in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. It is more powerful, more modern and much closer to an F1 with the adoption of the DRS (Drag Reduction System). Tech 1 Racing and Kevin Korjus have to adapt quickly to this new machine to win. “We received one of our two new Formula Renault 3.5 a few days ago. It’s more modern, but the main aspects are still the same so we’re not starting from scratch. With our team’s experience in this championship it’s good to take up the challenge of working with a new car. The drivers will have to get used to the DRS and a bit more power. Kevin was lucky enough to drive an F1 this winter so he’ll find his marks pretty quickly.
“We’re expecting a championship with an exceptionally high level this year. The first names are begging to circulate and our rivals will be fully prepared and very tough, and the new teams that have arrived have helped raise the bar even higher. The drivers battling for the title will be logical contenders for a seat in F1. Kevin is part of a very good school and he’s going to do a lot of work preparing with Gravity Academy. We’re very happy that Gravity has renewed its confidence in us by giving us the opportunity to do another year with Kevin. Winning the Formula Renault 3.5 Series is a priority for Tech 1 Racing!”
Kevin Korjus’s team-mate will be announced in a few days.
Kevin Korjus (EST)
Born: 9th January 1993 (19)
2011 : Formula Renault 3.5 series, 6th, 3 victories, 4 podiums, 1 fastest lap
2010 : Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, 1st, 9 victories, 6 pole positions, 12 podiums, 3 fastest laps
Formula Renault NEC, 8th, 5 victories, 2 pole positions, 5 podiums, 3 fastest laps
2009 : Formula Renault NEC, 5th, 1 podium
2008 : Formula Renault 2.0 Finland, 2nd, 3 victories, 10 podiums, 4 fastest laps
Gravity Academy driver
Official Renault Sport Press Release.