Adored by the motor racing world and spectators alike, the Nürburgring encounter is always a great success. After a one year absence, the World Series by Renault returns to a circuit that has hosted drama filled races over the years.

For the second time in 2014, the three categories of the 100% Renault event will share the billing and will be complemented with the traditional Renault Sport Show and Jean Ragnotti Renault Classic Show. The Benelux and Central Europe Clio Cups will also be in action as will the Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior, which is one of the entry level categories of the F1 access academy proposed by Renault Sport Technologies.

At the wheel of the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show will be Switzerland’s Sébastien Buemi. The official Red Bull and e.dams Renault driver will share the driving duties with Carlos Sainz, who will receive his reward for leading the Formula Renault 3.5 Series general classification at the mid-way point of the season.

The public will also be spoiled with numerous attractions and the activities centre in the new Renault Village, located in the heart of the paddock. Recreation, bouncy castles, road safety awareness stations, driving simulators and a Ferris wheel should enjoy be a big hit among visitors of all ages.

Formula Renault 3.5 Series: chasing Carlos Sainz

While Carlos Sainz (DAMS) limited the damage in salvaging eight points in Russia, there’s little doubt the Spaniard hopes to return to the top step of the podium as soon as possible and especially ahead of the summer break. The leader in the general classification will be busy in Germany because his current ranking will allow him the chance to put in a demonstration run in the Infiniti Red Bull Racing Renault!

With his deficit now at 33 points, Pierre Gasly (Arden Motorsport) is among the most serious rivals to his fellow Red Bull Junior Team driver. The Frenchman comes to the Nürburgring with the goal of scoring his first victory in the category. He must nevertheless deal with the ambitions of those behind him in the championship, the British duo of Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports) and Will Stevens (Strakka Racing) and the likes of Roberto Merhi (Zeta Corse) and Sergey Siroktin (Fortec Motorsports). After joining the winners’ circle in Russia, they both want the momentum to continue, especially the Spaniard who has already enjoyed success at the Ring in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 in 2008.

Jazeman Jaafar (ISR), Marlon Stockinger (Lotus) and Norman Nato (DAMS) will be out to close the gap and stay in contention for the title. The Frenchman has already stepped on to the Nürburgring podium during his 2012 Eurocup campaign.

There are several others in the field who would like to end the first half of the season with a bang. Following his competitive run in Russia, Zoel Amberg (AVF) wants a repeat performance to confirm his strong form, as does Pietro Fantin (International Draco Racing), who both now have the top ten in their sights. A target also shared by Matias Laine (Strakka Racing) and Marco Sørensen (Tech 1 Racing), who took a podium result at the in the Nürburgring in 2012.

For Luca Ghiotto (International Draco Racing), William Buller (Arden Motorsport), Meindert van Buuren (Pons Racing), Beitske Visser (AVF), Oscar Tunjo (Pons Racing) and Roman Mavlanov (Zeta Corse), the Nürburgring will be a terrific chance to show their talent on a track where bravery is rewarded. 17-year old Alfonso Celis from Mexico, who picked up a podium result last year in Formula Renault 2.0 NEC, will debut in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series with Tech 1 Racing while Matthieu Vaxiviere (Lotus) is set to come back on track if he’s cleared to drive.

Race 1: Saturday 12 July at 12h35
Race 2: Sunday 13 July at 12h35

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: the lead is in sight for nine drivers

The 2014 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season is a wide open affair so far with six different winners in as many races. Proving just how competitive the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is, the outsiders are many because nine drivers could leave on holiday as the leader in the general classification.

With his podium result in Moscow, Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) took sole ownership of the lead in the category, but the member of the McLaren Young Driver Development Programme would like to capitalize more often from his four pole positions from a possible six attained so far.

After his scoreless weekend in Russia, Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam) will have to bounce back to make up his deficit, and he’ll also have to keep an eye on those behind him in the points race, which includes team-mate Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam), Andrea Pizzitola (Manor MP Motorsport), as well as the two race winners at the Moscow Raceway, Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team).

Equal on points, Egor Orudzhev (Tech 1 Racing), Alexander Albon (KTR) and Levin Amweg (ART Junior Team) will have to push hard to try to close the gap, as will Matt Parry (Fortec Motorsports), who took his maiden top three result last weekend. The defending Formula Renault 2.0 NEC champion and Caterham Racing Academy driver won both races at the Nürburgring last year on his way to the title.

Just outside the top ten, there are others to watch closely. In constant progression, Lotus F1 Junior Team protégé, Callan O’Keeffe (ART Junior Team) and French F4 Champion, Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing) will both try to take a strong point tally. And it is the same story for Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing), who claimed his first podium in Formula Renault 2.0 at the Nürburgring in 2012.

Race 1: Saturday 12 July at 14h15
Race 2: Sunday 13 July at 15h25

Eurocup Clio: Oscar Nogues to confirm

Following a disappointing 2013 campaign, Oscar Nogues (Rangoni Corse) relied on his experience to win the two races at Motorland Aragón. For this second meeting of the year, the Spaniard comes to a circuit where he took a win and a podium result in his championship winning season in 2012.

This round will also mark the debut for the New Clio Cup at the Nürburgring. Oscar Nogues’ rivals, like Eric Trémoulet (Vic’Team), will try to take advantage. While the defending Clio Cup France champion has yet to win in the Eurocup, he is among the title contenders, as is podium finisher at Motorland, Mikel Azcona (Automovil Club Zaragoza).

Josh Files (Team Pyro) and Massimiliano Pedalà (Composit Motorsport) each picked up a top three finish in Spain but are more than a victory behind the leader in the general classification and would like to return to within striking distance before the summer break.

On the challenging Nürburgring circuit there will be a number of serious challengers present. Antonio Martinez (SMC Junior Motorsport), Olivier Jouffret (Vic’Team) and Nikolay Gryazin (Composit Motrosport) all scored points in both races in Spain and will be out for more. 2013 standouts, Salvatore Arcarese (Rangoni Corse), Ivan Pulic (Lema Racing Team) and runner-up in the UK Clio Cup, Alex Morgan (SV Racing) all have the same goal to race for the win, as do Facundo Della Motta (Pujolaracing) and defending Italian Clio Cup champion, Ronnie Marchetti (Composit Motorsport).

Race 1: Saturday 12 July at 15h40
Race 2: Sunday 13 July at 14h05

All the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Eurocup Clio races will be aired live on the Eurosport Player. The Formula Renault 3.5 Series will be broadcast live on Eurosport International, Eurosport UK and Eurosport France 2. Eurosport France 2 will also show the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 on a delayed basis. Motors TV will have live coverage of the two Eurocup Clio races. Free of charge invitations can be downloaded on www.worldseriesbyrenault.com.

”We are genuinely thrilled to return to the Nürburgring”, says Renault Sport Technologies Competition Director, Jean-Pascal Dauce. “This circuit makes drivers prove their worth as well as being full of history. The Eifel region’s particular weather should also increase the challenges on the track. You have to attack hard to be competitive, while also being smooth out of the corners on this undulating circuit where compromise is essential, between hard breaking turns and high-speed bends. DRS strategy will also play an important role as the laps tick off. We promise there will be tactical and spectacular races!”

The Driver’s Eye
Roberto Merhi (Zeta Corse): ”I am really excited to go to the Nürburgring. It is a technical track where the driving style can make an enormous difference. In 2008, I had my best weekend of the season in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 with a win ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo, who are probably among the best drivers currently in F1! After my first success at the Moscow Raceway, I have confidence in the team and my capabilities to be more often on the podium.”

Results 2012
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
Qualifying 1: J. Bianchi (FRA) 1’40’’537.
Race 1: 1. J. Bianchi (FRA) – 2. N. Müller (SUI) – 3. R. Frijns (NED)
Qualifying 2: R. Frijns (NED) 1’39’’991.
Race 2: 1. N. Yelloly (GBR) – 2. M. Sørensen (DEN) – 3. A. Negrão (BRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Qualifying 1: S. Vandoorne (BEL) 1’57’’955.
Race 1: 1. S. Vandoorne (BEL) – 2. N. Nato (FRA) – 3. P. L. Chatin (FRA)
Qualifying 2: S. Vandoorne (BEL) 1’56’’465.
Race 2: 1. S. Vandoorne (BEL) – 2. M. McKee (GBR) – 3. P. Gasly (FRA)
Eurocup Clio
Qualifying 1: M. Guillot (FRA) 2’22’’037.
Race 1: 1. O. Nogues (ESP) – 2. M. Verschuur (NED) – 3. S. di Luca (ITA)
Qualifying 2: M. Guillot (FRA) 2’22’’295.
Race 2: 1. M. Guillot (FRA) – 2. O. Nogues (ESP) – 3. M. Verschuur (NED)

Timetable