Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Norris 2 – Defourny 1

Max Defourny (R-ace GP) confirmed his status as the quickest driver in the collective tests taking the two pole positions up for grabs on Saturday morning. While the Belgian driver won race 1, Lando Norris (Josef Kaufmann Racing) triumphed in race 2 that featured light rain. The duel continued on Sunday with Lando Norris getting the upper hand for a second time.

Before heading to Monte-Carlo for a single race weekend as the curtain raiser for the F1 Monaco Grand Prix, the two drivers lead the general classification ahead of Harrison Scott (AVF by Adrián Vallés). The 2015 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 rookie of the year scored a pair of podium finishes. Dorian Boccolacci (Tech 1 Racing) and Sahara Force India Academy protégé, Jehan Daruvala (Josef Kaufmann Racing) also tasted champagne over the week-end.

Race 1: 1- M. Defourny, BEL (R-ace GP), 2- L. Norris, GBR (Josef Kaufmann Racing), 3- J. Daruvala, IND (Josef Kaufmann Racing) …
Race 2: 1- L. Norris, GBR (Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2- D. Boccolacci, FRA (Tech 1 Racing), 3- H. Scott, GBR (AVF by Adrián Vallés) …
Race 3: 1- L. Norris, GBR (Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2- M. Defourny, BEL (R-ace GP), 3- H. Scott, GBR (AVF by Adrián Vallés) …
General classification: 1- L. Norris 68 pts, 2- M. Defourny 55 pts, 3- H. Scott 42 pts…

Renault Sport Trophy: newcomers start strong

While the 2015 Renault Sport Trophy Prestige champion, Dario Capitanio (Oregon Team) set the pace on Friday, two new teams were anything but slouches. Strakka Racing set best time in the morning with Lewis Williamson, while Team Marc VDS EG 0,0 saw its AM drivers Fabian Schiller and Fran Rueda share the honours.

On Saturday, the Endurance began with the Strakka Racing #42 of Lewis Williamson on pole. The Englishman scored maximum points in the intermediate classification before handing over to Tim Sugden, who succumbed to Fabian Schiller and Fredrik Blomstedt (R-ace GP). The duo of Markus Palttala and Fabian Schiller gave Team Marc VDS EG 0,0 their first victory in their debut race. The tandems of Kevin Korjus – Fredrik Blomstedt and Lewis Williamson – Tim Sugden completed the podium.

On Sunday, Fabian Schiller led the AM Sprint race from start to finish ahead of team mate Fran Rueda and Miguel Ramos (Equipe Verschuur), becoming the first leader in the category this year. In the PRO category, Kevin Korjus put in a perfect start to take the lead and go on for the win ahead of category leader, Lewis Williamson and Markus Palttala.

Endurance Race: 1- Palttala-Schiller, FIN-GER (Team Marc VDS EG 0,0), 2- Korjus-Blomstedt, EST-SWE (R-ace GP), 3- Williamson-Sugden, GBR (Strakka Racing) …
Sprint Race AM: 1- F. Schiller, GER (Team Marc VDS EG 0,0), 2- F. Rueda, ESP (Team Marc VDS EG 0,0), 3- M. Ramos, POR (Equipe Verschuur) …
Sprint Race PRO: 1- K. Korjus, EST (R-ace GP), 2- L. Williamson, GBR (Strakka Racing), 3- M. Palttala, FIN (Team Marc VDS EG 0,0) …
General classification PRO: 1- L. Williamson 43 pts, 2- K. Korjus 35 pts, 3- M. Palttala 27 pts…
General classification AM: 1- F. Schiller 25 pts, 2- F. Rueda 18 pts, 3. M. Ramos 15 pts…
General classification Endurance: 1- Palttala-Schiller 25 pts, 2- Korjus-Blomstedt 18 pts, 3- Williamson-Sugden 15 pts…

Also…

In addition to the two categories organised by Renault Sport Racing, the Formula V8 3.5 and Clio Cup España were in action. Renault Sport Academy driver Louis Delétraz won the opening race of the season in Formula V8 3.5 to leave Spain tied for the championship lead with Aurélien Panis, who also cut his motor racing teeth in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0.

Fifty years after the debut of the Gordini Cup, the Clio Cup also allowed the stand outs in the French cup, Olivier Jouffret and Eric Trémoulet, to put on two duels for the ages with Olivier Jouffret getting the nod.

Next meetings

Renault Sport Trophy: Imola (Italy) – 13-15 May
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Monaco – 27-29 May