Season 10 of the World Series by Renault begins on 26 and 27 April at Motorland Aragón. The event that has hosted more than 5 million spectators since debuting in 2005, retains the same proven formula with races for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Eurocup Clio, along with a multititude of attractions, including the demonstration runs from the four-time world championship team, Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1. The free invitations can be downloaded onwww.worldseriesbyrenault.com.
Since 2010, the Herman Tilke designed circuit has hosted the opening weekend of the World Series by Renault season. Now a classic stop on the calendar, Motorland Aragon is the ideal venue for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Eurocup Clio.
Among the most anticipated attractions, the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show will star Antonio Félix da Costa, reserve driver of the 4-time F1 World Champions. The fans will have the unique opportunity to watch and approach a Formula 1 car in a free of charge setting. The Renault Sport Show and it’s Megane R.S.s, Jean Ragnotti’s Renault Classic Show and the parade of collectors will also headline the weekend activities.
The new Renault Village also promises to attract the curious and enthusiasts of fantastic automobiles. The exhibits in the heart of the paddock will allow visitors to discover the latest Renaults, as well as the sports car range. And the kids haven’t been left out thanks the Children Village with inflatable castles and a space to allow them to learn about road safety. And everyone of all ages can test their skills in the Pit Stop Chalenge and driving simulators.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series: it is still wide open!
Kicking off last week at Monza, the 2014 Formula Renault 3.5 Series saw Will Stevens (Strakka Racing) and Carlos Sainz Jr (DAMS) take victory. The Englishman and Spaniard are not the only drivers aiming for the title. On equal points, Pierre Gasly (Arden Motorsport) will aim for more podium finishes and his first success in the headliner category of the World Series by Renault.
Like the 2013 victor in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, Sergey Sirotkin (Fortec Motorsports), Roberto Merhi (Zeta Corse), Nikolay Martsenko (Comtec Racing) and Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports) all scored points in both races.
For the first time on the podium, Marlon Stöckinger (Lotus) would like to continue his progression, as would Luca Ghiotto (International Draco Racing) and William Buller (Arden Motorsport), both of whom took fourth place finishes at Monza. For the others Motorland Aragón will be the chance to rebound from disappointing results in Italy. At the sharp end of the time sheets during winter testing, Jazeman Jaafar (ISR) and Pietro Fantin (International Draco Racing) will try to make up their respective points deficits that separate them from the top of the classifications, as will Zoël Amberg (AVF), Meindert van Buuren (Pons Racing) and Matias Laine (Strakka Racing).
After dropping out twice at Monza, Marco Sørensen (Tech 1 Racing) wants to get back on form and score his maiden points of the season. A goal shared by Beitske Visser (AVF), Roman Mavlanov (Zeta Corse), as well as Frenchman Norman Nato (DAMS), the pole winner last year at Alcañiz, and Matthieu Vaxiviere (Lotus), who last year dominated the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 on the Spanish circuit.
Race 1: Saturday 26 April at 14h30
Race 2: Sunday 27 April at 14h00
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 : Searching for a new star
The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 category, which has produced many rising motor racing talents begins a new season with plenty of promise. Alongside the young drivers who have already shown their skills in the series, newcomers will come to make their mark on the European category that features more than 30 competitors.
After eight days of collective testing, no less than 11 drivers led the way in at least one session, which confirms just how competitive the level of competition is. Motorland Aragón is familiar to some. Egor Orudzhev (Tech 1 Racing) and Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) have already taken podium results. The latter, McLaren Young Driver Development Programme member, returns for a third season in the category with the title as his goal.
Among the contenders who already have Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 experience, Andrea Pizzitola (Manor MP Motorsport), Steijn Schothorst (Manor MP Motorsport), Ignazio D’Agosto (Koiranen GP), Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team), Levin Amweg (ART Junior Team), Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Alexander Albon (KTR) all want to live up to the confidence that has been put in them.
Standouts in collective testing, Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam), Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Champion in French Formula 4, Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing), will also be drivers to follow in Spain. As will Formula Renault 2.0 NEC title winner, Matt Parry (Fortec Motorsports) and his closest rivals in 2013 Jack Aitken (Fortec Motorsports) and Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam). Second in the Renault 1.6 NEC Junior and Nordic category last year, Martin Rump (Fortec Motorsports) will also be a contender. The battle is shaping up to be one to remember!
Race 1 : Saturday 26 April at13h05
Race 2 : Sunday 27 April at 12h35
Programmation
The two Formula Renault 3.5 Series races will be aired live on Eurosport International ad Eurosport 2 France. The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 will be aired on a delayed basis, as well as live on the Eurosport Player, as will the Eurocup Clio, which will also be shown on Motors TV.
“To kick off the World Series by Renault at Motorland Aragón has become a classic”, says Renault Sport Technologies Sporting Director, Benoît Dupont. “Since our first visit in 2009, the show has always been top notch on a track that offers a proper challenge to the drivers and teams. The first corner, known for heavy braking and delicate apex, sets up the up hill corners, as well as the downhill and its blind corner. To find good balance will be extremely important. The hairpin at the end of a masively long straight offers the best overtaking opportunities and of course the DRS plays a big role ahead of the heavy braking zones.”
The Driver’s Eye
Carlos Sainz Jr (DAMS) : “The fact that it is in a way my home race at home makes the weekend special I have fine memories on this very technical track that is Motorland Aragón, because I took my first win in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 here. I can’t wait to go there and see what kind of results we can achieve!”
2013 results
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
Qualifying 1: K. Magnussen (DEN) 1’54’’306.
Race 1: 1. K. Magnussen (DEN) – 2. W. Stevens (GBR) – 3 A. Pic (FRA)
Qualifying 2: N. Nato (FRA) 2’12’’303.
Race 2: 1. C. Huertas (COL) – 2 S. Sirotkin (RUS) – 3. S. Vandoorne (BEL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Qualifying 1: M. Vaxiviere (FRA) 2’10’’400.
Race 1: 1. M. Vaxiviere (FRA) – 2. E. Ocon (FRA) – 3 P. Gasly (FRA)
Qualifying 2: M. Vaxiviere (FRA) 2’11’’002.
Race 2: 1. M. Vaxiviere (FRA) – 2 E. Orudzhev (RUS) – 3. O. Rowland (GBR)
Renault Sport Press Release
