Here we go!
Here we go!
Eager to rejoin the battle, the drivers in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series head back to the circuits, starting with Hockenheim, as of the first weekend of September. On this track where World Series by Renault makes its first appearance, Mikhail Aleshin (Carlin) will be hoping to build on his lead over Daniel Ricciardo (Tech 1 Racing), which would allow the Russian driver to approach the last two meetings of the season, at Silverstone and Barcelona, from a clear position of strength. But Australian driver won’t be intending to let the Russian take the title without a fight …
Between the arrival of the last race in Budapest, won by Sten Pentus (Fortec Motorsport) and the start of the twelfth race of the season, on Saturday September 4, 2010 at Hockenheim, a full two months have elapsed. Everyone has put the summer to full advantage in their own way and all drivers come to Germany more motivated than ever.
For the first time, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series competitors get the chance to race on the fast German Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit, which promises lots of overtaking. This means the twenty-four drivers in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series resume their season on a level playing field, the first task being to adapt their cars to the circuit, both in light aero configuration, compulsory on Saturday, and in the normal aerodynamic configuration.
Mikhail Aleshin goes into the German leg with the mantle of championship leader. With three wins and three podiums to his credit, the Russian has proven consistent and has managed his championship perfectly up to now. He is gradually drawing nearer to the prize of an F1 test that falls to the champion. However, with a lead of just eleven points over Daniel Ricciardo, the Russian driver knows he can’t afford the slightest drop in pace. It’s at this point in the season that his experience may make all the difference.
As for Daniel Ricciardo, his goal is to equal Robert Kubica’s performance of 2005, when he won the title in his first year in the discipline. After winning in Monaco, then a few weeks later in Budapest, his mission is simple: to finish ahead of Mikhail Aleshin in every race. In this enterprise, the reserve F1 driver for Red Bull Racing will be able to count on his new teammate, Jean-Éric Vergne (Tech 1 Racing). Only recently crowned 2010 Champion of the British F3 International Series, the French driver is already moving up to the next level, taking Brendon Hartley’s seat. Tech 1 Racing is shaping up with a strong duo capable of going for both titles - the Drivers' title and also the Teams’ title, where the team of Simon and Sarah Abadie are twenty-six points ahead of Trevor Carlin’s.
Sten Pentus has already claimed two wins this season and Esteban Guerrieri (ISR) has a total three firsts to date to his name, and both these drives will be meaning business in the closing rounds of the 2010 season. Two men are hungry for victory, and they’re still in with a shot at the title, especially if the stakes start to get to Aleshin and Ricciardo.
For other drivers too, the six races remaining will provide opportunities to confirm their promising start to the season. Albert Costa (Epsilon Euskadi), winner of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 in 2009 ahead of Jean-Eric Vergne, will be out to claim his first win in Formula Renault 3.5 Series, after finishing third in Monaco and second in Budapest. Stefano Coletti (Comtec Racing), Filip Salaquarda (ISR), Daniele Zampieri (Pons Racing) and Anton Nebilitskiy (KMP Racing), all on the podium at least once this season, will also be looking to add a victory to their CVs before the final round.
Official Renault Sport Press Release