Two weeks after racing at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is ready to head to another emblematic F1 circuit. While the Red Bull Ring has been off the calendar since 2013, several of the drivers have already raced there with diverse results. Everyone wants to catch up to the leader in the general classification, Lando Norris (Josef Kaufmann Racing) before the summer break.

Who will lead the way at the mid-way point of the season ?

After returning to his winning ways at Monza, Lando Norris is in good shape to hold on to the lead in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 going into the second half of the season. Only Max Defourny (R-ace GP), Dorian Boccolacci (Tech 1 Racing) and Harrison Scott (AVF by Adrián Vallés) can stand in his way.

Coming off their maiden victories in the category Dorian Boccolacci and Harrison Scott will try to confirm their recent form, although the latter will be making his debut at the Red Bull Ring, as he had to do at Monza. Lando Norris will also be making his debut at the Austrian circuit, while several contenders for the win will have the upper hand having already raced at the Red Bull Ring

Will a new contender arise ?

Behind the leading quartet, the battle is led by Robert Shwartzman (Josef Kaufmann Racing). The SMP Racing protégé will look to score his first podium on a track he raced on in the ADAC F4. Among his rivals, Sacha Fenestraz (Tech 1 Racing), Will Palmer (R-ace GP), Gabriel Aubry (Tech 1 Racing), Alexey Korneev (JD Motorsport) and Julien Falchero (R-ace GP) will all make their Red Bull Ring debut.

Leader of the Formula Renault 2.0 NEC and member of the Sahara Force India Academy Jehan Daruvala (Josef Kaufmann Racing) would like to return to the podium in a repeat showing of his drive in the NEC last year. Local driver, Ferdinand Habsburg (Fortec Motorsports) will try to forget his difficult weekend in Italy by coming up big on the track where he scored his personal best finish in Formula Renault 2.0 in 2015. A fact and objective that is shared by his team mate Bruno Baptista (Fortec Motorsports).

Coming ever so close to his first triumph in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 at Monza, Hugo de Sadeleer (Tech 1 Racing) will try to rely on his past Spielberg experience. Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés), Vasily Romanov (Fortec Motorsports) and James Allen (JD Motorsport) will try to do the same.

They will try to pull off a surprise

In Austria, Alex Perullo (Technorace) will aim to score his first points this season. If the Italian will make his Red Bull Ring debut, he’s ready to take any available opportunity to sneak into the top ten this weekend. Finally, wild-card entry Finlay Hutchison (Mark Burdett Motorsport) will make his first appearance of the season.

Jean-Pascal Dauce, Renault Sport Customer Racing Program : “Following the challenges at Monaco and Monza, we now head back to the Red Bull Ring, which is a circuit on the F1 calendar. We are thrilled to return to this high-altitude, ultra-fast track where there are many unknowns. As we saw two weeks ago in the Austrian Grand Prix, the track was repaved, modifying the behavior of the tyres. At the same, the curbs are more severe and penalize abuse more than before and we can’t overlook the character of the Red Bull Ring, which is known for being hard on brakes and the cars overall. The drivers must be fast and smart throughout the weekend in order to score maximum points !”

Programme and TV

The two races over the weekend will be available for streaming on the Renault Sport Youtube channel before being shown on a delayed basis on the Eurosport group channels.

The Renault range of cars will be on display in the Village. There will also be attractions for the spectators who will also have the chance to participate in the pit stop challenge.

Friday 15 July 2016
10h15 – 11h05 Collective tests 1
13h45 – 14h35 Collective tests 2

Saturday 16 July 2016
10h30 – 11h00 Qualifying1
14h01 – 14h28 Race 1

Sunday 17 July 2016
8h35 – 9h05 Qualifying 2
11h21 – 11h48 Race 2

Entry list - pdf

Timetable - pdf