11 July 2014
Gustav Malja on top at the Nürburgring
Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing) was fastest in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 collective practice sessions at the Nürburgring. The Swedish driver stopped the clock in 1:57.359 to edge out Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam), who had posted best time during the morning session. Steijn Schothorst (Manor MP Motorsport) was third quickest on the day. Championship leader, Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) set the fifth best time on Friday.
Thick fog in the Eifel region forced organizers to delay and shorten the sessions. The first collective test for the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 began at mid-day. The early minutes of the session where very competitive. Alexander Albon (KTR) was first to break the two-minute barrier before being dislodged by Manor MP Motorsport’s Andrea Pizzitola and Steijn Schothorst.
First Nyck de Vries then Dennis Olsen led the way before Victor Franzoni (China BRT by JCS) moved to the top. With four minutes remaining, Andrea Pizzitola was first on track in the final sprint that turned to Dennis Olsen’s advantage. With a lap of 1:57.552, the Norwegian led the session ahead of Nyck de Vries, Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing), Victor Franzoni and Nick Cassidy (Koiranen GP).
In the afternoon, Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam) quickly went to the top of the time sheet. The Brazilian driver spent the majority of the session on P1, but in the final 15 minutes, he was bettered by countryman Victor Franzoni.
Eight minutes from the end, Dennis Olsen took over, but his time was then beaten by team-mate Bruno Bonifacio. The entire field improved their times in the waning minutes before a premature stoppage caused by Ignazio d’Agosto (Koiranen GP). Gustav Malja occupied the top spot with a lap time of 1:57.359 ahead of Dennis Olsen, Steijn Schothorst, Levin Amweg (ART Junior Team) and Nyck de Vries at the end of a session where less than a quarter of a second separated the top six.
Quotes
Gustav Malja: ”The delay caused by the fog was very long, but it was a good day. I quickly felt comfortable in the car and I could do my thing. We were fast and I am looking forward to do the same tomorrow, whatever the conditions. It will be the same for everyone so we have to keep on.”
Dennis Olsen: ”It was an interesting day with the conditions, but at least the skies cleared in the afternoon. Bruno and I were strong, and Hans improved, so it was a good day for the team. I was very fast in the both sessions, although I did have to abort my final lap because of a yellow flag. Everything seems to be in place for tomorrow and I just hope it stays dry!”
Steijn Schothorst: ”It is a shame there was a yellow flag. We only had one lap on new tyres to see where we were. It was a good lap, but we must now fine-tune the set-ups to be in it tomorrow! The start of the season was difficult, but this gives me more reason to push!”
