Frijns records impressive first victory

On home soil, Josef Kaufmann Racing recorded their first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 victory this afternoon. The German team only joined the category at the start of the season. Robin Frijns brought home the glory having led from start to finish, and held off the relentless challenge of Carlos Sainz Junior (Koiranen Motorsport) and Norman Nato (R-Ace Grand Prix). With the win, Dutch driver Frijns is now finds himself back in the race for the title. But with five podium finishes out of five, Carlos Sainz Jr. remains comfortably seated at the top of the overall standings.

As the lights went out, Frijns got away the quickest to lead the race in the early stages. Carlos Sainz Jr. made a good start from the second row, as did Norman Nato. At the end of the first lap, Frijns led the race with Nato, Sainz Jr., Will Stevens and Timmy Hansen (Interwetten.com Junior) following close behind.

With Frijns gradually extending his advantage out in front, Sainz Jr. set about attacking Norman Nato. The Frenchman put up a bold fight, but he eventually succumbed to Sainz Jr. who overtook on lap four. The Spanish driver then upped the tempo and began to set his sights on race leader Frijns. Meanwhile, Nato was left to keep a wary eye on a chasing pack made up of Stevens, Hansen, Oscar Andrès Tunjo (Josef Kaufman Racing), Daniil Kvyat (Koiranen Motorsport), Paul-Loup Chatin (Tech 1 Racing) and Javier Tarancon (Tech 1 Racing).

Shortly after the half-way stage, Sainz Jr. launched his first assault on race leader Frijns. As the front pair battled it out, Nato was able to make up ground and the chasing pack also fought their way back into contention. It was wheel-to-wheel stuff as the first nine cars jostled for position in the last ten minutes of the race.

At this stage, Sainz Jr. and Nato really began to turn up the heat on Frijns, but the flying Dutchman managed to keep the door firmly shut. Frijns held strong to take his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 victory, with Sainz Jr. and Nato – enjoying his first podium finish – completing the top three. Sainz Jr. retains his place at the top of the overall standings and has an 18-point lead over Frijns, who moves up into second.