The third race meeting of 2023 will feature a head-to-head between the Clio Cup España and Clio Cup France drivers, who are ready to defend their colours on the undulating circuit, which has hosted several French Formula 1 Grands Prix.

The battle resumes in Clio Cup France

While Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) and David Pouget (GPA Racing) share the points lead in the Clio Cup Series, it’s a different story in Clio Cup France. Ill-rewarded despite his pace earning him two pole positions at Nogaro, David Pouget is only fourth in the standings, while rival Nicolas Milan made the most of the circumstances to score maximum points. Meanwhile, Alexandre Albouy (GPA Racing) and Alexandre Finkelstein (GPA Racing) slotted between the two leading contenders, promising an exhilarating battle for the lead of the championship.

In addition to this tremendously tight battle, Alexandre Finkelstein will try to extend his lead over his fellow competitors in the Challengers Cup after his double win in the Gers. Led by Aurélien Renet (JSB Compétition), his pursuers will try to reverse the trend, including Mickaël Carrée (T2CM), who will be aiming for a first win close to home soil. The same goes for Florian Venturi (GM Sport) and his teammate Florian Coruble (GM Sport), determined to make up some ground after retiring from race two at Nogaro.

The action will also be intense in the Racers Cup, where Fabien Julia (LR Performance) and Jérémy Bordagaray (Milan Compétition) should resume their duel after sharing the spoils at Nogaro. However, they must watch out for Laurent Dziadus (Team Lucas) and Cédric Delcroix (GPA Racing), who have already finished on the podium. Meanwhile, Samuel Chaligne (T2CM) and Raphaël Cuadrado (GM Sport) will look to return to the front while Veenesh Shunker (T2CM) will aim for a better performance to make up for his deficit to the leaders.

Clio Cup España clashes on multiple fronts

The proceedings should also be exciting in Clio Cup España, where the title and Challengers Cup battles are extraordinarily close.

Nogaro winners Adrian Schimpf (AST Competition) and Mathieu Lannepoudenx (Milan Compétition) head to Magny-Cours targeting more success. The Spaniard has a three-point lead over the Frenchman in the general classification, but they are equal on points among the Challengers. However, they will have to be ready for a reply from Alejandro Schimpf (AST Competition), who is in lying in wait, or from Jordi Palomeras (Milan Compétition), Javier Cicuendez (Team VRT) and Lydia Sempere (AST Competition), all ready to give it their all.

Nogaro Racers Cup winners Jérémy Bordagaray (Milan Compétition) and Sergio Casalins (GPA Racing) will also continue their duel, but they need to be wary of Joaquin Rodrigo (Team VRT) and Alejandro Romero (Team VRT), both determined to take a step forward to regain the upper hand this week.

Three outsiders at Magny-Cours

Three drivers ready to upset the pecking order complete the field in the Clio Cup Series. Currently 13th in the Clio Cup Series, Guillaume Maio (GM Sport) will be on hand to regain places in the classification while preparing for future challenges. It is the same story for Benjamin Cauvas (GPA Racing), one of the most prominent racers of the early season. Meanwhile, "Horn" (GPA Racing) will make his first appearance of the year.

The field of 27 Clio Cups will assemble on Friday at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours. The races, scheduled for Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 5:35 pm, will be streamed live on the Renault Clio Series Facebook page and YouTube Renault Clio Series YouTube channel.

PROGRAMME

Friday 5 May
10:40-11:10 am : Collective test 1
6:15-6:45 pm : Collective test 2

Saturday 6 May
8:30-8:50 pm : Qualifying 1
5:00-5:30 pm : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Sunday 7 May
10:15-10:35 am : Qualifying 2
5:35-6:05 pm : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap) | Facebook | YouTube

Entry list