The Eurocup comes to Budapest!
After a break of over two months, the
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 drivers are due to meet up again at the
Hungaroring for the third round of the season. Six drivers have already
moved clear at the top of the overall standings, but there is little
between them. Who from Hartley, Pic, Turvey, Waldschmidt, Kechele and
Mäki will end the summer as leader?
Raikkonen, Massa and Hamilton: just
as in Bahrain, the podium at the recent French GP was dominated by
three drivers who cut their teeth in Formula Renault 2.0 before moving
up to F1! Clearly, the Eurocup is more than ever the top category for
young talented drivers from throughout the world.
With four races gone, the top seven drivers are separated by just 14 points. To put it another way, fewer points than can be scored with a win! We can exclude Tristan Vautier, who was a guest at Zolder, from the list of the top seven and focus on the six title contenders.
After a faultless performance in Belgium, Brendon Hartley (Epsilon Red Bull) was off the pace at the Nürburgring, managing a modest 8th place. Having also fallen back in the Italian championship, the New Zealander needs to return to form at the Hungaroring. He is ready to do just that, as he demonstrated when setting the fastest time in collective testing at Magny-Cours (May 31 – June 1).
Second spot is currently held by a rookie, French driver Charles Pic (SG Formula). Impressive at Zolder, he hit top form at the Nürburgring where he took his first race win. That put him within six points of Hartley and into the frame as a potential title winner. If he can continue his good form this weekend at Val de Vienne in the French championship, he’ll head for Hungary full of confidence...
Having racked up the points finishes in the first two meetings, Oliver Turvey (Jenzer Motorsport) lies third in the overall standings. The British driver, voted McLaren Autosport BRDC young driver of the year, has so far only finished in the top three once, following the disqualification of Waldschmidt. He will now have to raise his level if he wants to be in the running to win races!
Tied for third, Henki Waldschmidt has unquestionably been the quickest
driver so far this season. But two disqualifications for technical
non-compliance have cost the Dutchman no fewer than 22 points. Instead
of being well ahead of the rest, he now has to push hard to get back to
the top.
Behind these four, Frank Kechele (Motopark Academy) has yet to make it onto the podium. But the German’s confidence was given a boost by his double win at the opening round of the NEC (North European Cup) at Zandvoort!
Third and second at the Nürburgring, Mika Mäki (Red Bull Epsilon) is also improving fast. A win at Valencia in the Italian championship provided further proof that the Finnish rookie is continuing to make great strides.
Obviously, these six men will not be the only ones fighting for victory. After hitting form – and taking the overall lead in the process – in the Italian championship at Waldschmidt, Jaime Alguersuari is ready to add his name to the list of Eurocup winners. An ambition shared by the likes of rookie Roberto Merhi (Jenzer Motorsport), Mihai Marinescu (District Racing) and Oliver Oakes (Motopark Academy).
With four races gone, the top seven drivers are separated by just 14 points. To put it another way, fewer points than can be scored with a win! We can exclude Tristan Vautier, who was a guest at Zolder, from the list of the top seven and focus on the six title contenders.
After a faultless performance in Belgium, Brendon Hartley (Epsilon Red Bull) was off the pace at the Nürburgring, managing a modest 8th place. Having also fallen back in the Italian championship, the New Zealander needs to return to form at the Hungaroring. He is ready to do just that, as he demonstrated when setting the fastest time in collective testing at Magny-Cours (May 31 – June 1).
Second spot is currently held by a rookie, French driver Charles Pic (SG Formula). Impressive at Zolder, he hit top form at the Nürburgring where he took his first race win. That put him within six points of Hartley and into the frame as a potential title winner. If he can continue his good form this weekend at Val de Vienne in the French championship, he’ll head for Hungary full of confidence...
Having racked up the points finishes in the first two meetings, Oliver Turvey (Jenzer Motorsport) lies third in the overall standings. The British driver, voted McLaren Autosport BRDC young driver of the year, has so far only finished in the top three once, following the disqualification of Waldschmidt. He will now have to raise his level if he wants to be in the running to win races!
Behind these four, Frank Kechele (Motopark Academy) has yet to make it onto the podium. But the German’s confidence was given a boost by his double win at the opening round of the NEC (North European Cup) at Zandvoort!
Third and second at the Nürburgring, Mika Mäki (Red Bull Epsilon) is also improving fast. A win at Valencia in the Italian championship provided further proof that the Finnish rookie is continuing to make great strides.
Obviously, these six men will not be the only ones fighting for victory. After hitting form – and taking the overall lead in the process – in the Italian championship at Waldschmidt, Jaime Alguersuari is ready to add his name to the list of Eurocup winners. An ambition shared by the likes of rookie Roberto Merhi (Jenzer Motorsport), Mihai Marinescu (District Racing) and Oliver Oakes (Motopark Academy).