Formula Renault 2.0
Daniil Kvyat (Koiranen Motorsport) put his race one retirement behind him and responded superbly by recording his sixth victory of the season. It was far from an easy ride for the Russian, however, who had the tenacious Nyck de Vries (R-Ace GP) to contend with from start to finish. Norman Nato (RC Formula) came third to complete the podium. Stoffel Vandoorne (Josef Kaufmann Racing), meanwhile, finished fourth and retains his championship lead, with 11 points now separating him from Daniil Kvyat.
Daniil Kvyat powered through qualifying and set a new Formula Renault 2.0 lap record in the process, clocking a time of 1:42.261. The Red Bull Junior Team driver started on pole for the second time this season, with Nyck de Vries (R-Ace GP) alongside him in a repeat of the Motorland Aragón front row. Norman Nato (RC Formula) and Stoffel Vandoorne made up the second row.
Daniil Kvyat made the perfect start, while behind him, Nyck de Vries fought to contain Norman Nato. Stoffel Vandoorne tried to take advantage, but the Belgian ultimately decided not to take the risk and held on to fourth place instead. Just behind him in fifth place was Melville McKee (Interwetten.com Racing), followed by Oscar Tunjo (Tech 1 Racing) and Javier Tarancon (RC Formula). On lap two, Stefan Wackerbauer (Koiranen Motorsport) slipped past Pierre Gasly (R-Ace GP) to move up into tenth place.
As the minutes ticked by, Daniil Kvyat set best lap after best lap. Nyck de Vries, however, remained very much on the Russian’s tail. Just behind the front pair, Norman Nato sought to keep Stoffel Vandoorne at bay, with Vandoorne keen to overtake but aware of the need to score points. Melville McKee, Oliver Rowland and Oscar Tunjo used the pair’s duel to their advantage and kept pace with them, forming a compact five-car group.
The struggle between Daniil Kvyat and Nyck de Vries continued all the way to the chequered flag, but the Russian eventually came out on top to take his sixth victory of the season. Nyck de Vries and Norman Nato, second and third respectively, joined him on the podium. Stoffel Vandoorne finished fourth and lost a few points to Daniil Kvyat in the process, but he remains top of the championship standings and leaves Hungary with an 11-point lead.
What they said
Daniil Kvyat: “Yesterday, after my retirement, my team was fantastic. They picked me back up, and it’s thanks to them that I won today. We had no choice – I needed this victory. The gap between me and Stoffel is slim, and it’s impossible to call. We’ll have to fight to the end. I’m going to do everything I can to win the title.”
Nyck de Vries: “I’m pleased to be back on the podium in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. It’s my second podium; the first was at Motorland Aragón, which was quite some time ago. I’ve had ups and downs this season, but I’ve learned a great deal with every race. I’ve shown that this weekend by finishing fourth [on Saturday] and second today.
Norman Nato: “Things didn’t go too well in Russia, and yesterday was the same! So I’m really happy to be back among the frontrunners, just before my home race at Paul Ricard. Honestly, third was the best I could do today. We’ve now got work to do if we’re to win races and play a part in the championship.”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.