Panciatici ready for the off
The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 drivers today completed the last two days of collective testing on the Bugatti circuit at Le Mans. Like in Barcelona, the best time went to Nelson Panciatici (SG Formula).
After snow conditions
at the
Nürburgring, the young Eurocup competitors enjoyed a taste of
spring in the West of France. With this the last opportunity to go head
to head before kicking off the 2007 Eurocup, this session confirmed
Nelson Panciatici’s pre-season domination.
The Renault Driver Development driver, who will be starting his season in ten days time when the curtain goes up on the French Championship in Nogaro, put in the fastest time: “Everything is going well within the team, I think we’re ready to go for it. This was the first outing for a brand new car. So Monday was a day devoted to putting the car through its paces before pushing a little harder today.”
Yesterday, it was Mihai Marinescu who caused a sensation as he put in the fastest lap time. Already remarked in Barcelona, the Romanian confirmed his form: “This weekend I will be competing in the first leg of the Italian championship in Vallelunga and it was important for me to prepare for the meeting as well as possible. I’m also aiming to be in with the leaders in the Eurocup. District Racing is a young team, in fact the fist ever Romanian team to compete in the circuit. After easing in for the first season we want to continue moving forward now.”
Several drivers made themselves noticed during the two days of testing. One to really stand out was Markus Niemela, who will be spearheading the BVM Minardi Team. Even if this is his first season in Formula Renault 2.0, the Fin is by no means short on experience, with a season in Formula Ford and two in Formula BMW under his belt. The same could be said of German driver Frank Kechele, who returns to Formula Renault 2.0 after a season in F3 and after taking a year out for health reasons: “Formula Renault is a great discipline: both economical and competitive. I’ve already driven for team Motopark Oschersleben and it was a real pleasure to take them up on their offer. Even if I don’t have the budget to compete in all the rounds of the Northern European Cup, I’ll be fighting to be on the final podium in the Eurocup.”
The newcomer to Eurocup, team Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing put in a strong finish in testing placing both drivers right behind Panciatici in the last session. Swiss champion Jonathan Hirschi, dogged by mechanical problems and almost unable to get on track on Monday, more than made up for it by finishing second just 2/10ths shy of ‘Pancia’. A great performance from Stéphane Richelmi too, finishing third despite never yet having competed in a single-seater race!
The Renault Driver Development driver, who will be starting his season in ten days time when the curtain goes up on the French Championship in Nogaro, put in the fastest time: “Everything is going well within the team, I think we’re ready to go for it. This was the first outing for a brand new car. So Monday was a day devoted to putting the car through its paces before pushing a little harder today.”
Yesterday, it was Mihai Marinescu who caused a sensation as he put in the fastest lap time. Already remarked in Barcelona, the Romanian confirmed his form: “This weekend I will be competing in the first leg of the Italian championship in Vallelunga and it was important for me to prepare for the meeting as well as possible. I’m also aiming to be in with the leaders in the Eurocup. District Racing is a young team, in fact the fist ever Romanian team to compete in the circuit. After easing in for the first season we want to continue moving forward now.”
Several drivers made themselves noticed during the two days of testing. One to really stand out was Markus Niemela, who will be spearheading the BVM Minardi Team. Even if this is his first season in Formula Renault 2.0, the Fin is by no means short on experience, with a season in Formula Ford and two in Formula BMW under his belt. The same could be said of German driver Frank Kechele, who returns to Formula Renault 2.0 after a season in F3 and after taking a year out for health reasons: “Formula Renault is a great discipline: both economical and competitive. I’ve already driven for team Motopark Oschersleben and it was a real pleasure to take them up on their offer. Even if I don’t have the budget to compete in all the rounds of the Northern European Cup, I’ll be fighting to be on the final podium in the Eurocup.”
The newcomer to Eurocup, team Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing put in a strong finish in testing placing both drivers right behind Panciatici in the last session. Swiss champion Jonathan Hirschi, dogged by mechanical problems and almost unable to get on track on Monday, more than made up for it by finishing second just 2/10ths shy of ‘Pancia’. A great performance from Stéphane Richelmi too, finishing third despite never yet having competed in a single-seater race!
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