Formula Renault 2.0
The Group A drivers including the current leader of the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, Stoffel Vandoorne, were the first out on the track on Saturday morning for qualifying for race 1. Although the circuit was damp in places all the drivers shod slicks.
The session was neutralized almost immediately as Ed Jones went off. At the restart Vandoorne was first out and took provisional pole. Oliver Rowland fought back but the Belgian driver put the issue beyond doubt and on his last lap he set the quickest time in Group A in 1m 46.571secs.
Daniil Kvyat set the pace in Group B. He led Oscar Tunjo and Roman Mavlanov when the drivers were obliged to lift off after Nyck de Vries’ (R-Ace GP) off-course excursion.
When the session restarted Paul-Loup Chatin and Kvyat battled for pole. The Frenchman was the first to beat Vandoorne’s time. The final lap proved decisive and Tunjo set his second pole of the season in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup in 1m 46.083secs. The Columbian dominated Alex Riveras and Kvyat, so the Russian will start from the third row.
Oscar Tunjo: “It’s the right moment to set pole. I like conditions like these. In the last lap my team kept me updated on my times, sector by sector. I knew I was on a good lap. My aim is to make a good start and let Stoffel and Daniil fight it out behind me!”
Stoffel Vandoorne: “The track was really slippery but the grip improved as the minutes passed. I was the first out so I had to push hard without making any mistakes on my final lap. I had to set the quickest time in my group but it wasn’t easy as Oliver Rowland was giving nothing away.”
Danill Kvyat: “I knew the final lap would be the clincher. I didn’t put in a perfect lap and the others took advantage of this. Starting from the third row isn’t exactly the best place to be but it’s not catastrophic. I’ll have to drive a good race and at least here you can overtake.”
Official Renault Sport Release.