World Series by Renault - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps preview

The second meeting of the World Series by Renault will be held this coming 31 May and 1 June at Spa-Francorchamps, one of the most liked tracks of the drivers. Still one of the headliner events offered by Renault Sport, the Belgian round will host the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, as well as a multitude of attractions, including the F1 demonstration from the four-time World Championship winning Infiniti Red Bull Racing. Free of charge invitations can be downloaded at www.worldseriesbyrenault.com.

In 2005, Belgium welcomed the first-ever World Series by Renault meeting at the Zolder circuit. Since 2008, Spa-Francorchamps has hosted one of the most spectacular rounds on the calendar in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The Formula Renault 3.5 Series and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 races will share the billing with a multitude of attractions, including the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show. Behind the wheel will be Jean-Eric Vergne who finished runner-up in the 2009 Formula Renault 2.0 and second in the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series.

In the heart of the circuit, spectators will have the chance to check out the entire Renault range of automobiles and delve into the carmaker’s history through the different sites in the Renault Village. There will also be plenty of entertainment activities from driving simulators to the Pit Stop Challenge, while the younger visitors can take advantage of the inflatable castles and workshops in the Children’s Village.

The on track action will be completed with the Formula Renault 1.6 NEC Junior championship, which is the first level of the F1 access academy put in place by Renault Sport. The national Renault Clio Cup, Jean Ragnotti Renault Classic Show accompanied by the Renault Sport Show Mégane R.S. and collector parade, which will wrap up the Belgian weekend in style, will all be part of the programme.

Formula Renault 3.5 Series : the title race takes shape

After five races, the contenders for the title in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series are becoming clear. Absent from the podium at Monaco, Carlos Sainz (DAMS) did manage to increase his lead, which now stands at 15 points. The two best rookies, Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports) and Pierre Gasly (Arden Motorsport), will look to reduce the gap. The Belgian round will also allow the two drivers to return to the track that was the venue of their first duel in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 last year.

Several outsiders are trying to catch up to the leaders. Following a difficult start to the season, Norman Nato (DAMS), Marco Sørensen (Tech 1 Racing) and Jazeman Jaafar (ISR) reacted in monopolizing the Monaco podium. They will try to keep the momentum going. Winner at Monza, Will Stevens (Strakka Racing), will be looking to repeat his 2013 performance when he finished second. Luca Ghiotto (International Draco Racing) will too be out to build on prior Spa success, after having won in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 last year.

Roberto Merhi (Zeta Corse), Zoël Amberg (AVF), Marlon Stöckinger (Lotus) and Sergey Sirotkin (Fortec Motorsports) are in the top ten in the championship and will to try to score precious points to stay in contention. Returning to the World Series by Renault, Oscar Tunjo will make his Formula Renault 3.5 Series debut with the Pons Racing team. The Columbian took a podium result in Belgium during his final season in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0.

Race 1 : Saturday 31 May at 15h20 Race 2 : Sunday 1 June at 15h05

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 : in pursuit of Nyck de Vries

At the conclusion of the Motorland Aragón meeting, Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP) led the way in the general classification. Also leading the ALPS championship, the McLaren Young Driver Development Programme driver would like to confirm his excellent start to the season to pull away from his pursuers.

Among his closest rivals, he’ll have to contend with Bruno Bonifacio (Prema Powerteam), who finished twice on the podium in Spain and third last year at Spa-Francorchamps. Andrea Pizzitola (Manor MP Motorsport) will be another to watch. After his maiden win at Motorland, the French driver returns to a track where he has enjoyed success in the past when he scored his first pole position in 2012.

Other drivers will also hope to standout. Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Egor Orudzhev (Tech 1 Racing) both scored a podium result at Alcañiz but left Spain with a few regrets. The Spa-Francorchamps will be the occasion to bounce back. It will be the same story for the 2013 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC champion and winner of the Belgian round Matt Parry (Fortec Motorsports), as well as Ignazio D’Agosto (Koiranen GP).

In the points in the first two races, Alexander Albon (KTR), Simon Gachet (ARTA Engineering) and Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing) will try to confirm their good starts. After having shown their speed, Levin Amweg (ART Junior Team), Aurélien Panis (ART Junior Team), Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing) and Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam) will also be in the mix during a meeting where 43 cars will be entered. Among the 13 wild card entries will be 16-year old and winner of two races in the ALPS at the Red Bull Ring last weekend, Matevos Isaakyan (JD Motorsport).

Race 1 : Saturday 31 May at 14h05 Race 2 : Sunday 1 June at 12h25

The Formula Renault 3.5 Series races and Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 will be aired live on the Eurosport Player as well as on a delayed basis on Eurosport International and Eurosport 2 France.

”The Spa-Francorchamps circuit is a proper challenge for both the drivers and the machines”, says Christophe Chapelain, Renault Sport Technologies Competition Technical Director. ”The Hairpin at ‘La Source’ determines the speed for the ‘Radillon’ after that it is flat out until the braking zone at “Combes”. Using the draft and DRS will be very strategic, as will the long “Blanchimont” corner. Between these two sectors there is a very technical section from “Malmedy” to “Stavelot” with fast combos, blind corners and an elevation change requiring very precise set-up in order to put in the fastest lap time possible.”

The Driver’s Eye Sergey Sirotkin (Fortec Motorsports) : ”Spa is a historic track in motor racing. It is the longest circuit on the calendar, which makes things more difficult to put in a perfect lap. The challenge Spa-Francorchamps proposes is exactly what makes it one of my favourite tracks. The trickier it is the drivers have more of an opportunity to shine !”

Media Renault Sport