Last year’s winner in the Principality, Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) set the pace in the one collective test for the Formula Renault Eurocup in the streets of Monaco. With a lap of 1:31.583, the Frenchman led the way ahead of Alex Peroni (Fortec Motorsports) and the leader in the general classification, Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP). Renault Sport Academy driver Jarno Opmeer (MP Motorsport) was eighth and the top rookie.
At 8:15, the Formula Renaults set off between the guard rails for 45 minutes of preparation before Friday qualifying.
First on track, Robert Shwartzman set the early pace, but the times continued to improve just until Sacha Fenestraz took over after the first 15 minutes. The French driver kept improving, while his rivals returned to the pits to change set-ups and switch to fresh Michelin tyres.
With eight minutes remaining, Will Palmer (R-ace GP) kicked-off the final sprint. Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés) and Robert Shwartzman fought for best time, but Sacha Fenestraz lowered the bar even further before the session came to a prematurely stopped by Presley Martono (Mark Burdett Motorsport), who stopped at Beau Rivage.
With his lap of 1:31.583, Sacha Fenestraz was 0.6s quicker than Alex Peroni and Robert Shwartzman. Will Palmer and Henrique Chaves complete the top five ahead of Max Defourny (R-ace GP), Gabriel Aubry (Tech 1 Racing) and rookies Jarno Opmeer, Yifei Ye (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport).
Friday qualifying for the Formula Renault Eurocup will get underway at 7:55.
Renault Sport Press Release