Twenty-four competitors will compete in Budapest to defend their chances in the Clio Cup Europe but also in Groups A and C, which will respectively contest their third and second meetings of the year.

Breaking point in the Clio Cup Europe ?

For the first time in 2021, neither David Pouget (GPA Racing) nor Nicolas Milan (Milan Compétition) scored a race win at the previous meeting in Le Castellet. Both are eager to reassert their supremacy in Hungary before the second half of the season. Separated by only five points, the main title contenders are ready to give it their all at this round, where they will be able to focus on the Clio Cup Europe, unlike their closest challenger Marc Guillot (Milan Compétition) who will also contest in the Groups A and C.

Challengers Cup leader Kévin Jimenez (GPA Racing) is in the same position, and he wants to extend his lead while he also aims to take his first win in the general classification. Meanwhile, Lionel Viguier (TB2S) and Quinto Stefana (Oregon Team) will try to take advantage of the absence of the leaders in the Gentlemen Drivers Cup to move into the top three of the category. However, it could be a tall order with competitors such as Fabien Rivals (GPA Racing), who will make the trip to Hungary to score maximum points on the European scene.

Battles throughout the field in Group A

Leader after the Monza and Misano rounds, Anthony Jurado (Milan Compétition) wants to add to his six-point advantage from Italy’s Gabriele Torelli (Faro Racing), who is determined to retake the lead before the next round at Imola. However, both have to beware of Marc Guillot, veteran Massimiliano Danetti (PMA Motorsport) and even some Challengers.

In this category, Filippo Berto (Oregon Team), Fabrizio Ongaretto (PMA Motorsport) and Alessio Alcidi (Caal Racing) are covered by 25 points, which is equal to a race win. While they should run at the sharp end of the order, they cannot underestimate Giacomo Jelmini (PMA Motorsport), Daniele Pasquali (Caal Racing) and Ercole Cipolla (Faro Racing), who are all ready to do whatever it takes to get back into the title hunt.

Gentlemen Drivers Cup leader Alessandro Sebasti Scalera is skipping this round for medical reasons. His closest challenger Quinto Stefana will try to capitalise on this to take the points lead, but the Italian will have to cope with Diego Cassarà (Faro Racing) and Paolo Felisa (PMA Motorsport) in a field completed by journalists Gian Luca Pellegrini and Alberto Sabbatini, invited by Renault Italia.

Everything to play for in Group C

After the opening round, Thibaut Bossy, Marc Guillot and Tomáš Pekař (Carpek Services) left Hockenheim tied for the points lead. While Thibaut Bossy has chosen to skip round two, his two rivals who have already won titles in France, Spain and Central Europe will be there with lofty ambitions. The Czech will start with a slight advantage in terms of experience after his two wins in TCR Eastern Europe on the Hungarian track last April. In parallel, Andreas Stucki (Stucki Motorsport) will try to join the battle to maintain his title hopes.

Poland’s Jerzy Spinkiewicz (Uniq Racing) also wants to win the general classification to consolidate his lead among the Challengers but Henrik Siebel (Panther Motorsport), Alessio Alcidi and Daniele Pasquali will make life difficult for him. Lastly, Lionel Viguier will aim for maximum points in the Gentlemen Drivers category to send a strong message to his rivals.

Race one will start Saturday at 13h15, and race two will get underway on Sunday at 15h40. Both races from the Hungaroring will be broadcast live on the Renault Sport Series Facebook page and the Renault Sport YouTube channel.

TIMETABLE

Friday 9 July
11h00-11h30 : Collective test 1
15h20-15h50 : Collective test 2

Saturday 10 July
9h00-9h20 : Qualifying 1
13h15-13h45 : Race 1 (25 minutes + 1 lap

Sunday 11 July
9h40-10h00 : Qualifying 2
15h40-16h10 : Race 2 (25 minutes + 1 lap)

Entry list

2021 Clio Cup Europe calendar
2-5 April : Nogaro - Group B
30 April-2 May : Monza - Group A
7-9 May : Magny-Cours - Groups B & D
14-16 May : Hockenheim - Groups B & C
4-6 June : Misano - Group A
18-20 June : Le Castellet - Groups B & D
9-11 July : Hungaroring - Groups A & C
23-25 July : Imola - Group A
28-31 July : Spa-Francorchamps - Group C
10-12 September : Red Bull Ring - Groups A & C
17-19 September : Valencia - Group D
1-3 October : Le Castellet - Group B
29-31 October : Monza - Groups A & C
12-14 November : Barcelona - Groups B & D