Robert Shwartzman, fastest of the day at Circuit Paul Ricard
After Will Palmer’s best time yesterday, R-ace GP kept the momentum going in the Formula Renault Eurocup collective tests at Circuit Paul Ricard with Robert Shwartzman leading the way with a lap of 2:06.359. The SMP Racing protégé was followed by Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés) and Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing). Renault Sport Academy member, Jarno Opmeer (MP Motorsport) was fourth and top rookie of the day. Red Bull Junior Team driver, Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport) was fastest in the morning in wet conditions.
Rain showers welcomed the drivers this morning for the first session that concluded with Zane Goddard (Arden Motorsport) on top. But the Australian lost the honour of best time for not respecting track limits. His team mate Daniel Ticktum inherited P1 with a time of 2:22.743 ahead of fellow Red Bull Junior Team driver Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport). Alex Peroni (Fortec Motorsports) was third followed by Yifei Ye (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Will Palmer.
After two hours of calm in the afternoon, the drivers shod slick tyres for the final hour. Robert Shwartzman took command with the best lap of the session in 2:06.359 ahead of Henrique Chaves and Sacha Fenestraz. Rookies Jarno Opmeer and Raúl Guzmán (R-ace GP) completed the top five.
The Formula Renault Eurocup drivers and teams finished the day with 25 minutes devoted to standing starts before they head to the Nürburgring on March 29 and 30.
Chaves, number 13 is ready
Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés): “Over the winter I worked both in the simulator and at home to be more competitive. I hope that our second time of the day shows that. There is more work to do at the Nürburgring to begin the season in attack mode, but I am confident. This will be my third campaign with the team, and the second in the Formula Renault Eurocup. We have practically become a family where I have the needed confidence to be quick. As for the number 13, it has been linked to my family for a long time. It’s a way of honouring them, and there are no superstitions, quite the opposite!”
Vartanyan comfortable in the rain
Alexander Vartanyan (JD Motorsport): “The day went well. I was more comfortable in the rainy conditions running among the leaders. In the dry, we didn’t go for new tyres, but our times were still solid. I feel I am progressing step by step with the team and my team mates. I am satisfied with that as my learning curve will determine the rest of my season!”
Double top ten for Goddard
Zane Goddard (Arden Motorsport): “I am satisfied with my pre-season testing so far. There’s still a bit of catch-up in terms of experience gap, but the team is competitive and we are improving in each session, no matter the track conditions. The Formula Renault 2.0 is a nice car and really fun to drive. It allows drivers to attack on every lap. This year, my main objective will be to continue to progress against a very competitive field. You have to take on the best to get the best out of yourself!”
Fortec Motorsports shows its confidence
Martin Young, Team Manager: “We were really satisfied at Magny-Cours in regularly putting two drivers in the top ten. The tests at Circuit Paul Ricard confirmed our form with Alexey in the top five as soon as he was on track. This shows our competitiveness while allowing us to work with our rookies. Everything is new or so for Frank and Najiy, but they are making progress while Alex continues to discover the Formula Renault Eurocup. There is still some work to do, but I am confident in our ability to be in the top ten at Monza.”
Testing, Paul Ricard – Day 1, Morning Session
1st – No. 33, Daniel Ticktum*, 2:22.743
2nd – No. 29, Richard Verschoor*, 2:22.879
3rd – No. 17, Alex Peroni, 2:23.164
4th – No. 1, Yifei Ye, 2:23.175
5th – No. 8, Will Palmer, 2:23.322
6th – No. 23, Alexander Vartanyan, 2:23.367
7th – No. 9, Max Defourny, 2:23.444
8th – No. 93, Zane Goddard, 2:23.587
9th – No. 13, Henrique Chaves, 2:23.688
10th – No. 4, Gabriel Aubry, 2:23.691
11th – No. 11, Sacha Fenestraz, 2:23.701
12th – No. 30, Jarno Opmeer*, 2:23.871
13th – No. 5, Thomas Maxwell*, 2:23.941
14th – No. 7, Max Fewtrell*, 2:23.968
15th – No. 12, Raul Guzman*, 2:24.169
16th – No. 6, Thomas Neubauer*, 2:24.362
17th – No. 14, Rodrigo Pflucker, 2:24.451
18th – No. 10, Robert Shwartzman*, 2:24.627
19th – No. 26, Presley Martono*, 2:24.836
20th – No. 2, Luis Leeds*, 2:24.885
21st – No. 31, Neil Verhagen*, 2:24.972
22nd – No. 15, Axel Matus, 2:25.136
23rd – No. 34, Ghislain Cordeel, 2:25.205
24th – No. 22, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer*, 2:25.700
25th – No. 21, Sun Yue Yang*, 2:25.770
26th – No. 19, Frank Bird*, 2:25.885
27th – No. 16, Gregoire Saucy, 2:26.159
28th – No. 20, Najiy Razak, 2:26.880
29th – No. 25, Julia Pankiewicz, 2:27.041
No Time Set
No. 18, Alexey Korneev
Testing, Paul Ricard – Day 1, Afternoon Session
1st – No. 10, Robert Shwartzman*, 2:06.359
2nd – No. 13, Henrique Chaves, 2:06.916
3rd – No. 11, Sacha Fenestraz, 2:06.974
4th – No. 30, Jarno Opmeer*, 2:07.354
5th – No. 12, Raul Guzman*, 2:07.470
6th – No. 8, Will Palmer, 2:07.771
7th – No. 7, Max Fewtrell*, 2:07.804
8th – No. 93, Zane Goddard, 2:07.964
9th – No. 31, Neil Verhagen*, 2:08.014
10th – No. 4, Gabriel Aubry, 2:08.127
11th – No. 2, Luis Leeds*, 2:08.146
12th – No. 23, Alexander Vartanyan, 2:08.183
13th – No. 15, Axel Matus, 2:08.224
14th – No. 16, Gregoire Saucy, 2:08.484
15th – No. 1, Yifei Ye, 2:08.502
16th – No. 22, Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer*, 2:08.534
17th – No. 5, Thomas Maxwell*, 2:08.535
18th – No. 33, Daniel Ticktum*, 2:08.562
19th – No. 14, Rodrigo Pflucker, 2:08.628
20th – No. 9, Max Defourny, 2:08.746
21st – No. 18, Alexey Korneev, 2:09.040
22nd – No. 34, Ghislain Cordeel, 2:09.064
23rd – No. 17, Alex Peroni, 2:09.148
24th – No. 29, Richard Verschoor*, 2:09.169
25th – No. 26, Presley Martono*, 2:09.196
26th – No. 6, Thomas Neubauer*, 2:09.778
27th – No. 21, Sun Yue Yang*, 2:09.874
28th – No. 19, Frank Bird*, 2:10.390
29th – No. 20, Najiy Razak, 2:10.456
30th – No. 25, Julia Pankiewicz, 2:10.840
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