The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 collective tests at Circuit Bugatti Le Mans went the way of Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing). The Swiss title contender posted the best time of 1:33.667 on Friday. Jack Aitken (Koiranen GP) and leader in the general classification, Louis Delétraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) followed, while earlier in the day, Croatia’s Martin Kodri? (Fortec Motorsports) clocked the fastest lap. Harrison Scott (AVF) was quickest among the rookies.
Kodri? strong early pace
Jake Hughes (Koiranen GP) and Dennis Olsen (Manor MP Motorsport) traded the top spot before Darius Oskoui (ART Junior Team) and Ukyo Sasahara (ART Junior Team) interrupted their duel. Ignazio D’Agosto (Manor MP Motorsport), Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing) and Jack Aitken all lowered the best time before a stoppage provoked by Bruno Baptista (Manor MP Motorsport). The final sprint got underway with nine minutes remaining. Martin Kodri? set a session best time of 1:36.021 ahead of Jack Aitken, Anthoine Hubert, Ignazio D’Agosto and Ukyo Sasahara.
Advantage Jörg
In the afternoon session Ukyo Sasahara was the first to beat the morning’s best time. Harrison Scott (AVF), Anthoine Hubert then Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) all went better, but the Japanese driver answered. Jack Aitken then took over before there were two short red flag periods. The final sprint went the way of Kevin Jörg with a time of 1:33.667. Jack Aitken, Louis Delétraz, Ignazio D’Agosto and Ben Barnicoat (Fortec Motorsports) completed the top five. The highest placed rookie was Harrison Scott who slotted in sixth overall.
Quotes
Kevin Jörg : “It was a good day. The track was still a bit damp in many places this morning. It was a bit tricky, but everything was back to normal in the afternoon. It was a bit of a last minute rush following two straight red flags, but I was able to put in a good lap. My plan is to score as many points as possible and to be consistent in the five last races. That will be the key to finishing on top.”
Jack Aitken : “It was a pretty decent day. We were quite strong here during pre-season testing. We were a bit unlucky with the red flags that prevented us from getting the most out of the new tyres, but we still managed to set the second best time. Not making mistakes, doing good testing, good qualifying and good races will probably be the key to winning the title.”
Louis Delétraz : “There was no reason to take any risks this morning because the track was still wet. In the afternoon, the times were really close and putting in a good lap tomorrow will be important. Putting in the perfect lap in qualifying will be needed to start up front. The last two weekends were somewhat complicated where we had the speed but couldn’t bring it all together. Consistency will be primordial just until the last race.”
