6 September 2019
Piastri on a roll at Budapest
Following his brace of wins last weekend in Germany, Oscar Piastri (R-ace GP) continued to set the pace in the Formula Renault Eurocup at the Hungaroring with best time from the collective tests at 1:40.422s to lead from team mates, Renault Sport Academy rookie Caio Collet (R-ace GP) and SMP Racing’s Alexander Smolyar (R-ace GP).
The Formula Renault Eurocup was in action on Wednesday for four hours of testing. Oscar Piastri was quickest at 1:40.842s ahead of Caio Collet and Kush Maini (M2 Competition) while Victor Martins (MP Motorsport) and Brad Benavides (FA Racing by Drivex) followed close behind.
The action resumed on Friday and Alex Quinn (Arden Motorsport) went quickly atop the order in the morning session before Leonardo Lorandi (JD Motorsport) kicked-off the final sprint. Once again it was Oscar Piastri leading the way in 1:40.422s ahead, once more, of Caio Collet with Alexander Smolyar making it an R-ace GP lockout of the top three positions ahead of Frank Bird (Arden Motorsport) and Alex Quinn.
The times did not improve in the afternoon. Oscar Piastri was briefly overtaken by Victor Martins on the timing screen before answering back just before the midway point of the session. Ugo de Wilde (JD Motorsport) and Leonardo Lorandi each went best time in the final six minutes, but Caio Collet put in a late run of 1:41.132 to finish P1 ahead of Alexander Smolyar, Leonardo Lorandi and Ugo de Wilde. Alex Quinn once again completed the top five.
Tomorrow, the field will battle in the opening qualifying session at 10:00 before race one of the weekend scheduled for 13:55.
Collective tests 1 - Collective tests 2 - Collective tests 3
Quotes
Oscar Piastri (R-ace GP): “We were very quick on new tyres this morning and our race pace looked promising. We were once again among the leaders this afternoon even though we didn’t run on fresh rubber. I think we are in good shape for the rest of the weekend. This track rewards a smooth driving style because you have to string together the corners, particularly in the middle sector, and things will be very interesting tomorrow if you believe the weather forecast. I finished just outside the top three 12 months ago in similar conditions, so it shouldn’t be a problem for me!”
Kush Maini (M2 Competition): “I had a promising Wednesday with the third best time. Things were looking good, but I didn’t feel comfortable in the car today. We need to analyse what happened, but I am looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow. Whatever the conditions are, I will give it my all to finish at least in the top five!”
Frank Bird (Arden Motorsport): “We have been in top seven since the test Wednesday. The team is doing a great job, my driving is sharper and I hope we can keep the momentum going tomorrow. After Sebastián’s podium at Spa and Alex and Patrick’s at the Nürburgring, I am the only one in the team who has yet to get one! It would be perfect reward for the team’s hard work with the new car and it is gradually beginning to pay off.”
Leonardo Lorandi (JD Motorsport): “I love this track. There are a lot of corners, which makes it physically demanding, but the adrenaline rush is awesome when you have to carry so much speed in the corners. We’ve made good progress from one session to the next and I am pleased with third bet time this afternoon and the set-ups we found for qualifying. All that remains is to know the weather will be tomorrow, but I hope we return to form following a few difficult races.”