Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Louis Delétraz looks to pull away

The 100% Renault meeting returns to the British circuit and the fans will be treated to a programme featuring eight races and several on track activities, including the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show and Renault Sport Show. Tickets are available on www.worldseriesbyrenault.com.

Venue for the first Grand Prix in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship, the legendary Silverstone circuit has been changed over the decades but it has retained its character. It offers the drivers of the three Renault categories one of the fastest challenges of the season.

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show, also making its return to the Northamptonshire circuit, will feature Antonio Felix da Costa and Oliver Rowland. The British driver’s participation is his reward as mid-season leader in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. The Renault Sport Show and collector parades will complete the list of on-track activities.

The public can take in the always impressive Renault Sport Show or stroll the pit lane and paddock to meet the stars of tomorrow. Over at the Renault Village, visitors can try out the Renault Kadjar, Twizy and Twingo and check out the Twin’Run, Captur and Renault Dézir Concept cars.

Simulators, the pit stop challenge, bouncy castle and road safety stand will be among the many activities on offer, as will the Freestyl’air show and Formula E show car.

Solid leader with a 34-point lead, Louis Delétraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) will head to Silverstone with the objective of widening the gap from his rivals. Following his debut in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series at the Red Bull Ring, the Swiss driver will compete in three races on the circuit where he took both ends of the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC meeting last May.

The Geneva resident will, all the same, have to keep an eye on Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS leader, Jake Hughes (Koiranen GP). The British driver currently leads a chase group, which includes Anthoine Hubert (Tech 1 Racing), Kevin Jörg (Josef Kaufmann Racing), Ben Barnicoat (Fortec Motorsports) and Matevos Isaakyan (JD Motorsport), all of whom are all gunning for their maiden victory. The goal for Dennis Olsen (Manor MP Motorsport), Ukyo Sasahara (ART Junior Team) and Jack Aitken (Koiranen GP) will be to score vital points in the race for the title.

Their adversaries refuse to admit defeat, especially Ignazio D’Agosto (Manor MP Motorsport) and Callan O’Keeffe (Fortec Motorsports). Darius Oskoui (ART Junior Team) and Harrison Scott each have 20 points as they continue their battle for top rookie honours.

Thiago Vivacqua (JD Motorsport), Martin Kodric (Fortec Motorsports), Anton De Pasquale (Koiranen GP) and Simon Gachet (Tech 1 Racing) will all try to continue the strong form they showed in Hungary. For his part, James Allen (ARTA Engineering) will try to re-enter the top ten.

Lasse Sørensen (Manor MP Motorsport), Hugo De Sadeleer (Tech 1 Racing), Charlie Eastwood (AVF), Amaury Richard (ARTA Engineering) and Valentin Hasse-Clot, now with Fortec Motorsports, will give it all they’ve got to score their first points.

Wild-card entries, Ferdinand Habsburg (Fortec Motorsports), Nikita Mazepin (Josef Kaufmann Racing), Matteo Ferrer (Cram Motorsport), Colin Noble (Mark Goldwin Racing), Matthew Graham (Mark Burdett Motorsport), Sahara Force India Academy protégé, Jehan Daruvala (Fortec Motorsports), as well as Will Palmer (ART Junior Team), current BRDC F4 leader and son of former F1 driver Jonathan Palmer will complete the field.

All the races from the weekend will be broadcast live on the Eurosport Player. The Formula Renault 3.5 Series will be televised live on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport 2 France. After the delayed showing of race 1, Eurosport 2 UK will air race 2 live. The Eurosport networks will broadcast the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 on a delayed basis, as will Motors TV for the Renault Sport Trophy.

Jean-Pascal Dauce, Renault Sport Technologies Director of Competition said: “Like the competitors, we all look forward to returning to the circuit following this long summer break.

“September will be extremely intense with three World Series by Renault meetings. The teams, the drivers and we are thrilled to return to action at Silverstone, a name that resounds in the hearts of all motor racing enthusiasts.

“With its string of high-speed corners and its layout that rewards brave and daring drivers, the races in the three categories promise to be exciting and a number of competitors will be racing on their home track.

“With weather that can be capricious, all the elements are coming together for a perfect start to the second half of the season that promises to be thrilling.”

Formula Renault 3.5 Series

Qualifying 1: K. Magnussen (DEN) 1:57.260.

Race 1: 1. J. Bianchi (FRA) – 2. R. Frijns (NED) – 3. N. Melker (NED)

Qualifying 2: J. Bianchi (FRA) 1:42.638.

Race 2: 1. S. Bird (GBR) – 2. A. F. da Costa (POR) – 3. J. Bianchi (FRA)

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2011)

Qualifying 1: C. Sainz (ESP) 1:58.705.

Race 1: 1. R. Frijns (NED) – 2. A. Riberas (ESP) – 3. W. Stevens (GBR)

Qualifying 2: A. Lynn (GBR) 1:58.964.

Race 2: 1. R. Frijns (NED) – 2. A. Lynn (GBR) – 3. P. L. Chatin (FRA)