Following the returns of Magny-Cours and Zandvoort to the calendar, the Formula Renault Eurocup makes its way to a more familiar venue as it will be in action for the fourth consecutive year at the home of the Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix.

The battle continues

Since the return following the summer break, an enthralling duel has animated the pointy end of the order between Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) and Caio Collet (R-ace GP). They even have monopolised the first two places in each of the last three races.

Separated by just two points at mid-season, the Frenchman and Brazilian will once again try to get both the psychological and points edge. Victor Martins, however, arrives in Catalunya full of confidence after taking one pole in 2018, then two clean sweeps in 2019 whereas Caio Collet just barely missed out on a podium result last year.

In their battle, both would also like to continue to pull away from their closest rival, David Vidales (JD Motorsport). With his seven Hankook Trophies and six podium finishes in eight races, the Spanish rookie would like to star on home soil, especially as he is about to get back in a car at one of the few circuits where he has already tested.

Several contenders for the win

Many drivers will try to take advantage of the growing tension between the main contenders to make the most of the slightest opportunity and keep their chances alive for the home stretch.

After returning to the podium at Zandvoort, Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport) returns to the track where he scored a triple win to clinch the Spanish F4 Championship last year. The Argentinean would like to capitalise on his track knowledge to close ground to the leaders, as do Alex Quinn (Arden Motorsport) and Petr Ptáček (R-ace GP), who won in the rookie category last year. The Czech will be one to watch as he seemed to take his racing to the next level in scoring his best result of the season in The Netherlands.

Third in Barcelona in 2018, Lorenzo Colombo (Bhaitech Racing) will be another to watch as well as William Alatalo (JD Motorsport), Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) and Paul Aron (ART Grand Prix), all determined to return to the podium.

Expected late charge

Amaury Cordeel (FA Racing) also returns to a circuit he knows well after scoring a pole and a podium result in his victorious campaign in the 2018 Spanish F4 Championship.

Following his fifth place at Zandvoort, the Belgian driver will try to continue his strong form while his countryman Ugo de Wilde (Arden Motorsport) would like to bounce back after leaving The Netherlands with no points. Tijmen van der Helm (FA Racing) will also rely on his speed to rejoin the top ten in the general classification while László Tóth (Bhaitech Racing) and Hadrien David (MP Motorsport) will want to convert their progress into strong results to gain some positions in the standings.

Nicola Marinangeli (Bhaitech Racing) and Reshad De Gerus (Arden Motorsport) have just one target: score their first points of the season before the final four race weekends in as many weeks while Kas Haverkort (MP Motorsport), who is leading the Spanish F4 Championship, will make his Formula Renault Eurocup debut in order to prepare for his entry into the category in 2021.

Both qualifying sessions and both races from Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will be aired live on the Renault Sport Series Facebook page and Renault Sport YouTube channel.

Timetable

Thursday October 8
9h00–13h00 Pre-event collective tests

Friday October 9
9h00–9h50 Collective tests 1
13h50–14h40 Collective tests 2

Saturday October 10
8h45–9h05 Qualifying 1
13h40–14h15 Race 1

Sunday October 11
10h00–10h20 Qualifying 2
14h55–15h30 Race 2

Entry list