Title races blown wide open

The inclement Hungarian weather did not stop 130,000 race fans from enjoying themselves at Round Four of the World Series by Renault. Grabbing the headlines on the track were Jean-Eric Vergne, who produced two flawless drives to snatch the lead in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, while Robin Frijns had a hugely productive weekend in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Stefano Comini continued his domination of the Eurocup Megane Trophy. Also keeping the fans entertained were a host of events organised in conjunction with Renault Hungary, not to mention Robert Wickens’ first few laps in the Lotus Renault R30, one of the highlights of the season so far.

Renault Sport Technology’s Competition Director Jean-Pascal Dauce: “World Series by Renault has been coming to Budapest for four years now and once again we’ve had a fantastic event. It warms your heart to have 130,000 fans here this weekend and to see them having a great time and being knocked out by all the action, especially by the Lotus Renault GP demonstrations. It was amazing to visit the stands, and the paddock has been packed all weekend. I’d just like to thank Renault Hungary for their involvement here. The events they’ve put on have gone down really well, like the Renault Trucks demonstration, and they’ve impressed some important partners. On the track, the championships really came alive and we should be in for three very exciting final rounds. It was also a high point for us to see Robert Wickens take a Formula One drive in the Lotus Renault GP demonstration. Things like that really make our drivers feel that with hard work and success they can reach the holy grail of F1. We’re all going to take a bit of a break now before meeting up again in England, and then in France and Spain. We’ve got three big meetings coming up and it should be quite a finale to the season.”

Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Jean-Eric Vergne hits back hard
After a weekend to forget at the Nürburgring, Jean-Eric Vergne bounced back in style in Hungary, recording a superb double to take over at the top of the standings from team-mate Robert Wickens, who could only manage fifth and seventh. “This is the best time to strike a big blow, just before the summer break,” said a delighted Vergne afterwards. “Everything went perfectly for me this weekend, and it’s a track I came back well on when I was fighting for the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 title. I don’t know if it’s a turning point in the championship but it’s 50 points from two races, and I can’t wait to get to Silverstone. It’s a second home for me and it’s where I clinched the British F3 title last season. It’s a track where I’ve always done pretty well and I hope that’s still the case after the holidays.”
With the news that Daniel Ricciardo will be racing for Hispania Racing Team at the Silverstone Grand Prix, and Robert Wickens completing his first laps in the Lotus Renault GP, Formula One were the words on most people’s lips in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series paddock. And the theme will continue after the Silverstone leg of the World Series by Renault season, when the drivers will head to Lotus Renault GP’s headquarters at Enstone for training.
Race 1: 1st – J.E. Vergne, FRA (Carlin); 2nd – A. Rossi, USA (Fortec Motorsports); 3rd – S. Canamasas, ESP (BVM Target)
Race 2: 1st – J.E. Vergne; 2nd – A. Costa, ESP (Epic); 3rd – A. Carroll, GBR (P1 Motorsport)
Overall standings: 1st – J.E. Vergne, 152 pts; 2nd – R. Wickens, 148 pts; 3rd – K. Korjus, 110 pts

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Frijns turns the tables
Boosted by his maiden win at the Nürburgring a few days ago, Dutchman Robin Frijns followed up with a first and a second in Hungary to top the standings at the expense of Carlos Sainz Junior, who had a weekend to forget. “It shouldn’t be forgotten that the team’s just starting out in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0,” said Frijns. “We’ve been growing in strength since the start of the season, and getting our first one-two on Saturday, with Oscar Andres Tunjo coming second, is a great reward for all of us. I needed the points on Sunday because I knew my rivals were a little off the pace. There’s still a long way to go but it should be an interesting end to the season.”
Sunday’s victor Timmy Hansen was the season’s fifth different race winner. The son of Kenneth Hansen, a multiple European rallycross champion and a star in his native Sweden, Timmy topped a podium completed by Frijns and Stoffel Vandoorne, all three of them hailing from the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
Race 1: 1st – R. Frijns, NED (Josef Kaufmann Racing); 2nd – O.A. Tunjo, COL (Josef Kaufmann Racing); 3rd – D. Kvyat, RUS (Koiranen Motorsport)
Race 2: 1st – T. Hansen, SWE (Interwetten.com Junior Team); 2nd – R. Frijns; 3rd – S. Vandoorne, BEL (KTR)
Overall standings: 1st – R. Frijns, 136 pts; 2nd – C. Sainz Jr, 93 pts; 3rd – D. Kvyat, 93 pts

Eurocup Megane Trophy: One-two for Oregon Team
For the first time this season, runaway championship leader Stefano Comini failed to win, losing out to team-mate Niccolo Nalio on Saturday, the Oregon Team driver becoming the first Italian to win a Eurocup Megane Trophy race. Comini returned to winning ways the following day, chalking up his seventh victory in eight races, although he had to be at his very best to stave off the challenge of Bas Schothorst. “I stalled at the start of race one, and I fought back from last to second, which was fun,” said Comini. “There was plenty going on in race two as well because Bas Schothorst showed a lot of spirit. In the end I got my seventh win and I’ve equalled the record number of victories in a season. I need to go on and beat it now and lift the title as quickly as I can.”
Race 1: 1st – N. Nalio, ITA (Oregon Team); 2nd – S. Comini, SWI (Oregon Team); 3rd – D. Dermont, BEL (TDS Racing)
Race 2: 1st – S. Comini; 2nd – B. Schothorst, NED (TDS Racing); 3rd – D. Dermont
Overall standings: 1st – S. Comini, 193 pts; 2nd – N. Nalio, 110 pts; 3rd – D. Dermont, 91 pts

Formula Renault ALPS: Tech 1 Racing at the double
Formula Renault ALPS appeared on the World Series by Renault schedule for the very first time this weekend, with Tech 1 Racing marking the occasion with two wins, one for Javier Tarancon in the dry and another for Paul-Loup Chatin in the wet. As well as his victory, Tarancon claimed both poles and a second place and now leads the standings. Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS will make its next appearance on the World Series by Renault card at Paul Ricard HTTT in France in September.
Race 1: 1st – J. Tarancon, ESP (Tech 1 Racing); 2nd – H. Martins, BRA (Cram Competition); 3rd – V. Ghirelli, ITA (One Racing)
Race 2: 1st – P.L. Chatin, FRA (Tech 1 Racing); 2nd – J. Tarancon; 3rd – M. McKee, GBR (ARTA Engineering)

Next meeting: Silverstone, UK, 20-21 August 2011.