Luciano Bacheta holds on tight to claim victory
No stranger to the points this season, Interwetten’s Luciano Bacheta enjoyed his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 win today. Despite a comeback by Tech 1 Racing’s Arthur Pic towards the end of the race, the Brit managed to hold off the Frenchman. Pic’s teammate Aaro Vainio completed the line-up for the podium, while the home crowd was delighted to watch local hero, Atech GP’s Tamas Pal Kiss fight his way from 26th to 10th place.
As with yesterday’s qualifying, Finland’s Aaro Vainio placed himself in pole ahead Luciano Bacheta. Nevertheless, all eyes were on the second row where Arthur Pic, second in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship, lined up alongside Korainen Bros Motorsport’s Kevin Korjus, leader.
As the lights changed, Aaro Vainio seemed plagued by old problems, and was passed by Luciano Bacheta and Arthur Pic. The most dramatic event of the race came when Krenek Adam Kout rolled his car after making contact with another driver. The Czech driver made it out of his car unscathed, but the safety car was called out to allow the stewards to clear the scene.
At the restart, the positions remained unchanged, Luciano Bacheta still leading Arthur Pic, Aaro Vainio, Kevin Korjus and Manor Competition’s Will Stevens. While Luciano Bacheta making a swift get away, Arthur Pic was busy holding off Aaro Vainio and Kevin Korjus. The scrap was exciting on every level, particularly between the Koiranen Bros Motorsport and Epsilon Euskadi cars. In this game of musical chairs, it was Kevin Korjus who came out best, jumping from 6th to 4th place.
The lead quartet, now composed of Luciano Bacheta, Arthur Pic, Aaro Vainio and Will Stevens, parted company with the rest of the field. In fifth, Korainen Bros Motorsport’s Bart Hylkema led teammates Kevin Korjus and Miki Weckstrom, followed by Epsilon Euskadi’s Genis Olivé and Giovanni Venturini, himself having overtaken Atech Grand Prix’s Marlon Stockinger for 9th place on lap 8.
While the leaders were keeping it businesslike, the Hungarian spectators were relishing the display from local hero Tamas Pal Kiss. Starting from 26th, and cheered on by an electric crowd to claim 10th place, at the same time claiming the fastest lap of the race.
In the end, even if Arthur Pic revient caught up with Luciano Bacheta, the Frenchman was unable to stop the British driver from cruising to his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 victory. Meanwhile, Aaro Vainio finished in third place for the second time this season. Arthur Pic claimed back some of the Kevin Korjus’ championship lead, sixth. The two drivers are now separated by just eleven points while Luciano Bacheto, third, lies ten points behind Pic.
Luciano Bacheta : “Since the start of the season, we were always up with the leaders, but we just needed a little success. We were really on form this weekend, but once again we had some bad luck with our gearboxes. This win didn’t come easy. It’s my first and the first for my team. It’s a great feeling!”
Arthur Pic : “In terms of points, it’s been a great weekend for me, as I finished in front of Kevin Korjus twice. There’s only 11 points between us now. I need to keep up the pace and finish a few more weekends like this.”
Aaro Vainio : “Two poles, two podiums; it’s a great result! I was very comfortable on the circuit, and I was keeping pace with the leaders. It’s my first season, so I’m here to learn. This weekend has taught me that I need to practice my starts.”
Official Renault Sport Press Release