19 October 2020
The final sprint begins now!
Eight races in four weeks. This is what awaits the Formula Renault Eurocup competitors to wrap up the 2020 season. More intense than ever, this final sprint promises to put the men and the machines to the test beginning with the round at Spa-Francorchamps this week.
One of motor racing’s true international monuments, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps hosts round seven of the Formula Renault Eurocup. The home of the Belgian Formula 1 Grand Prix often rewards smart use of the slipstream, race craft and the ability to adapt to weather conditions... So many qualities that could prove crucial just when the battle for the title intensifies!
Battles to the top
Thanks to his brace of wins at the previous meeting, Victor Martins (ART Grand Prix) comes in Belgium with eight consecutive podium results and six victories in the last eight races.
With a win in 2018 and a pole position in 2019 at Spa, the Frenchman will rely on his experience to keep the momentum going and continue to widen the gap to his closest rivals, led by Caio Collet (R-ace GP).
Although he trails by 16 points, the Brazilian driver from the Renault Sport Academy will be as always, a stout competitor and the Belgian track is where he scored his best result in his rookie campaign last year.
Slightly further back in the general classification, David Vidales (JD Motorsport) and Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport) will try to make up ground to the leaders.
The Spanish driver will aim to return to the podium that eluded him for the first time in Barcelona to take the first step towards the rookie title while the Argentinian will return to the track where he made his Formula Renault debut with the firm intention of winning again.
A determined chase group
Behind the leading quartet, the battle for fifth place is extremely close and it will be even more so at Spa-Francorchamps as the drivers in this fight need to gain ground to the leader to maintain their title chances.
Fifth in the order, Alex Quinn (Arden Motorsport) will aim for his first podium finish since the summer break to keep his hopes alive, but also pull away from Lorenzo Colombo (Bhaitech Racing) - a 2019 race-winner at Spa-, Grégoire Saucy (ART Grand Prix) and William Alatalo (JD Motorsport). After the first 12 races of the season, the four drivers are covered by just nine points!
Following his progress made and highlighted with a first Hankook Trophy in Barcelona, Hadrien David (MP Motorsport) will try to keep the momentum going to strengthen his place in the top ten. Ugo de Wilde (Arden Motorsport) will have the same target on his home track after having put an end to an 18-month long podium drought in Spain.
First-timers at Spa, Paul Aron (ART Grand Prix) and Tijmen van der Helm (FA Racing) should also be in the mix for a podium result as well as Petr Ptáček (R-ace GP), who will try to use his experience there to score points after leaving Catalunya empty-handed.
A last stand?
Although they are out of title contention, other drivers would love to impress and create a surprise to get noticed before season’s end.
This will be most notably the case of Belgium’s Amaury Cordeel (FA Racing), but also Hungary’s László Tóth (Bhaitech Racing), who is more motivated than ever after returning to the top ten in Barcelona.
After scoring his first points of the season at the previous round, Reshad De Gerus (Arden Motorsport) will aspire for more points at a track he won last year in the French F4 Championship. Closer and closer to the top ten despite an injured leg, Nicola Marinangeli (Bhaitech Racing) will try to emulate his French rival to move up the general classification.
Both qualifying sessions and both races from Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps will be aired live on the Renault Sport Series Facebook page and Renault Sport YouTube channel.
Timetable
Wednesday October 21
9h00–12h00 Pre-event collective tests
13h30–16h00 Pre-event collective tests
16h10–17h00 Collective tests 1
Thursday October 22
9h00–9h50 Collective tests 2
16h25–16h45 Qualifying 1 (for race 2)
Friday October 23
10h40–11h00 Qualifying 2 (for race 1)
14h25–15h00 Race 1
Saturday October 24
10h45–11h20 Race 2