The Circuito de Jerez will host the World Series by Renault for the very first time. In Andalusia, this iconic circuit is best-known for its variety of high-speed corners where there is little room for error. This challenge makes it a benchmark and greatly respected by the drivers in all the categories.

While the driver’s championship in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 has already been wrapped-up, there are four more to be decided on the Spanish track. The title in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series will be won by a Spaniard, while another Iberian will come to Jerez as the overwhelming favourite in the Eurocup Clio. Lastly, all the teams entered will want to finish in style, especially as the team trophies are still up for grabs!

As always, the action will be non-stop because the French F4 Championship, Renault Classic Show and Jean Ragnotti Sport Show will all be present, as will Sébastien Buemi in the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show. Four-time Formula 1 World Champion, Alain Prost will put in the first public demonstration run of the Renault Sport R.S. 01. Finally, the Renault Village attractions and exhibitions will provide the opportunity for the spectators to experience the Renault universe during a weekend where the 2015 calendar will be announced.

Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Advantage Sainz and DAMS
For the first time, the title in the World Series by Renault’s premier class will be fought out between two Spanish drivers. Carlos Sainz (DAMS) will oppose Roberto Merhi (Zeta Corse), who returned to open-wheel racing after two years in the DTM. The two contenders will put in a preview of their duel during a media event at the Plaza España de Sevilla this coming Wednesday.

Returning to the top spot of the podium in both races at Circuit Paul Ricard, Carlos Sainz comes in with an ideal 44-point lead. After breaking the single-season race win record, the Red Bull Junior Team driver has his fate in his own hands to become the youngest champion in the history of the category.

To have any chance, Roberto Merhi will have no choice but to win on Saturday and Sunday and hope that Sainz makes two missteps. Additionally, the Spaniard’s second place position is under threat from Pierre Gasly (Arden Motorsport). The 2013 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 champion wants to end the season with his first victory to wrest away the rookie of the year honour from Merhi.

Fortec Motorsports drivers Oliver Rowland and Sergey Sirotkin will try to score big points to assure their positions in the top five. The challenge will be twofold for both men, who posted the best times during winter testing at Jerez, because their team still has a chance to beat DAMS in the Team classification.

After dropping out of the top five, Will Stevens (Strakka Racing) hopes to recuperate his place, while making sure to keep Norman Nato (DAMS), Jazeman Jaafar (ISR) and the Lotuses of Marlon Stockinger and Matthieu Vaxiviere in his rearview mirrors.

Other competitors will give it all they’ve got to obtain a meaningful result. Pietro Fantin (International Draco Racing) and Marco Sørensen (Tech 1 Racing) want to return to the podium, as does Zoel Amberg, whose AVF team will be racing on its home circuit. His team-mate, Beitske Visser, hopes to confirm her progress with another point scoring finish, against the likes of Matias Laine (Strakka Racing), Luca Ghiotto (International Draco Racing), William Buller (Arden Motorsport), Nicholas Latifi (Tech 1 Racing) and Cameron Twynham (Comtec Racing). Also competing on home soil, Pons Racing hopes its drivers, Oscar Tunjo and Meindert van Buuren end the season on a positive note.

Race 1: Saturday 18 October at 14:00
Race 2: Sunday 19 October at 13:45

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: another crown to award
While Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) clinched the title at Circuit Paul Ricard, there will still be plenty to race for at the Jerez finale! On one hand the member of the McLaren Young Driver Development Programme has the intention to continue his strong form and win more races, an on the other he wants to make sure Koiranen GP wins the team title against Prema Powerteam.

Behind him there will be an intense battle for the remaining top positions. Eight drivers are still in contention for the runner-up spot behind the Dutchman. Currently second in points, Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam) is only eight points ahead of Andrea Pizzitola (Manor MP Motorsports).

These two will also have to keep their eyes on, Alexander Albon (KTR) and Egor Orudhev (Tech 1 Racing), both of whom are still chasing their maiden success in the European category. Close behind them, Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam), Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team), Ignazio D’Agosto (Koiranen GP) and Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) all hope to shine to finish in the end of the season top three, which is rewarded with rookie tests in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.

Several other drivers will try to end the season on a positive note, like Fortec Motorsports entries; Jack Aitken and Matt Parry, Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Levin Amweg (ART Junior Team), who will battle for 10th place in the general classification. The winner of the 2014 North European Cup and Protyre Formula Renault, Ben Barnicoat (Fortec Motorsports) and grandson of two-time F1 World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, Pietro Fittipaldi (Koiranen GP) will make their debut in the Eurocup.

Race 1: Saturday 18 October at 12:35
Race 2: Sunday 19 October at 12:30

Eurocup Clio: match point for Oscar Nogués
After increasing his lead in the general classification, Oscar Nogués (Rangoni Corse) could become the first driver in the history of the category to win two titles. Winner in France, the 2012 champion comes to Jerez with the chance to clinch a second title with a podium finish on Saturday.

Three drivers can still prevent the Spaniard from triumphing at home. Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team) is the best placed, but the Frenchman will have to score his first ever win in the European category to keep his chances alive. Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) and Mikel Azcona (PCRSport) will too have to score a lot of points right from the opening race to hope to deny the leader from taking the title.

For the other drivers, the title is out of reach. Once again on the podium in France, Alex Morgan (Rangoni Corse) moved past 2013 Eurocup Clio champion, Josh Files (Team Pyro), who is back after missing the round at Circuit Paul Ricard. The British duo will have to pay close attention to their pursuers, which include Ivan Pulić (Lema Racing Team), third last time out, Facundo Della Motta (Pujolaracing), René Steenmetz (Pujolaracing) and Salvatore Arcarese (Rangoni Corse).

Among the outsiders for this explosive finale are the Composit Motorsport entries; Nikolay Gryazin and Ronnie Marchetti, Antonio Martinez and Pablo Martin from SMC Junior Motorsport, as well as Olivier Jouffret (Vic’Team) and Rafael Villanueva (Milan Compétition).

Race 1: Saturday 18 October at 15:40
Race 2: Sunday 19 October at 15:25

”For the very first time we are heading to the Circuito de Jerez”, explains Régis Fricotté, Renault Sport Technologies Marketing and Communications Director. “Andalusia is a dear region at Renault, which it has been implanted in since 1966 with one of the most important factories for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. We are completing the tenth season of the World Series by Renault, which is undecided just until the end, because several titles have yet to be won.”

The regard of a driver
Carlos Sainz (DAMS): The Circuito de Jerez is unique with its high-speed corners and its high abrasiveness on the tyres. The championship is still on the line, although we have taken a big step forwards. I’ll be racing at home and to win the title will be a way to prove myself and show what I can do. That would be very important for my career, because I could become the first Red Bull driver to win it, but also the youngest, while having already achieved the record for most wins in a season. "

Results: 2014 pre-season collective tests
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
1. O. Rowland (GBR, Fortec Motorsports) 1’25’’396
2. S. Sirotkin (RUS, Fortec Motorsports) 1’25’’491
3. P. Gasly (FRA, Arden Motorsport) 1’25’’527
4. J. Jaafar (MAS, ISR) 1’25’’544
5. C. Sainz (ESP, DAMS) 1’25’’701
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
1. B. Bonifacio (BRA, Prema Powerteam) 1’39’’708
2. K. Jörg (SUI, Josef Kaufmann Racing) 1’39’’715
3. A. Hubert (FRA, Tech 1 Racing) 1’39’’849
4. M. Isaakyan (RUS, JD Motorsport) 1’40’’026
5. A. Albon (THA, KTR) 1’40’’044

Schedule