30 June 2014
Russia and Renault: a recipe for success at Moscow Raceway!
A crowd of 78,000 attended the Moscow Raceway for round three of this year’s World Series by Renault. This third visit to Russia surpassed the expectations of the Russian fans with action packed races and numerous attractions for the public. In the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Sergey Sirotkin won on home soil, as did the Russian Zeta Corse team with driver Roberto Merhi. It was also a weekend of firsts in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 with Kevin Jörg and Aurélien Panis taking their maiden triumphs in the category. The public was also entertained by Daniil Kvyat in the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show, as well as the demonstrations put in by Jean Ragnotti and of the Renault Sport range.
Fabrice Cambolive, Commercial Director Renault Russia: “This is the third consecutive year that we have organized this World Series by Renault meeting at the Moscow Raceway. We were here when the circuit opened and we have accompanied the evolution of motor racing in Russia. It is a very important meeting for us. The Renault Russia Team with a major participation from the network has taken part in the preparation of this event, which is very popular and brings together all age groups. This Fast, but equally Free event allows all of our customers and our network an access to motor racing. Fast, Free and Fun! The 78,000 spectators here this weekend can also congratulate the Russian team and drivers who did so well, which is always a pleasure on home soil. The attractions set up for the youngsters and the not so young were also a big success. More than 1000 people we able to test drive the vehicles from the Renault range.”
Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Sirotkin and Zeta Corse win on home soil
Championship leader, Carlos Sainz (DAMS) said it: Moscow might be the most difficult weekend of the year! The Spaniard was right because after a disappointing qualifying session on Saturday, he stayed blocked on the grid. On Sunday, he finished sixth, scoring just eight points. The laurels went to Sergey Sirotkin (Fortec Motorsports) during the first race where the top three in the general classification were caught out even before the start! The next day, the Russian tendency continued with Roberto Merhi, who gave Zeta Corse its maiden victory on home soil, and got his campaign back on track. Carlos Sainz still leads the championship by 33 points from Pierre Gasly (Arden Motorsport
Race 1 : 1- S. Sirotkin, RUS (Fortec Motorsports), 2- Z. Amberg, SUI (AVF), 3- P. Fantin, BRA (International Draco Racing)…
Race 2: 1- R. Merhi, ESP (Zeta Corse), 2- P. Gasly, FRA (Arden Motorsport), 3- R. Stanaway, NZL (Lotus)…
General classification: 1- C. Sainz 132 pts, 2- P. Gasly 99 pts, 3- O. Rowland 84 pts…
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: firsts for Panis and Jörg
Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) and Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam) came to Russia tied in the general classification. Nevertheless both had an opening day to forget. The Dutchman retired on lap one, while the Brazilian finished outside the top 10 on Saturday when Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team) took both his first pole position and victory. On Sunday, Nyck de Vries returned to form, taking his fourth pole of the season, but Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) took the win, becoming the sixth victor in as many races this season. The member of the McLaren Young Driver Development Programme all the same did his title hopes a lot of good as he now sits alone atop the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship ahead of Bruno Bonifacio, who left Moscow without scoring a single point.
Race 1: 1- A. Panis, FRA (ART Junior Team), 2- A. Pizzitola, FRA (Manor MP Motorsport), 3- M. Parry, GBR (Fortec Motorsports)…
Race 2: 1- K. Jörg, SUI (Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2- N. de Vries, NED (Koiranen GP), 3- A. Albon, THA (KTR)…
General classification 1- N. de Vries 88 pts, 2- B. Bonifacio 70 pts, 3- D. Olsen 61 pts…
The Nürburgring is the next stop for this year’s World Series by Renault, which will also feature the return of the Eurocup Clio, this coming 12 and 13 July.
