|
 |
|
 |
| June 03, 2012 |
| Renault 2.0 Euro: Nato Scores Inaugural Series Win at Spa |
 | Norman Nato led every lap in race of the Spa-Francorchamps doubleheader to score his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 win
(Photo: Renault) |
RC Formula’s Norman Nato continued his strong run of form on Saturday (June 2) by leading race 1 of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 from start to finish at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps. The Frenchman clinched his maiden win in the series, just a few weeks after securing his first victories in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps. The battle for second place between Stoffel Vandoorne (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Pierre Gasly (R-Ace GP) raged to the end, with Vandoorne ultimately getting the better of Gasly.
After a hard-fought qualifying session, Gasly scored the first pole position of his career in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. He duly lined up for the first race on pole ahead of Nato, with Vandoorne and Timmy Hansen Interwetten.com Racing making up the second row.
Gasly did not react perfectly as the lights went out, and Nato and Vandoorne took full advantage. Nato took control of the race, with Vandoorne, Hansen and Alex Riberas (Josef Kaufmann Racing) behind him. Riberas, for his part, lost fifth place to Daniil Kvyat (Koiranen Motorsport) during the second lap. Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports), meanwhile, was one of the drivers to suffer in the action-packed early stages, slipping from seventh down to 12th.
Out in front, Nato, Vandoorne, and Pierre Gasly began to pull away from the chasing pack. Hansen was left to fend off the resurgent Kvyat, who recorded the fastest laps of the race to claw back his deficit.
The safety car then came out on lap four after a collision between Steijn Schothorst (Manor MP Motorsport), Josh Hill (Fortec Motorsports) and Rowland (Fortec Motorsports), canceling out the advantage of the leading trio.
At the restart, the order at the front remained unchanged. Meanwhile in the chasing pack, Ed Jones (Fortec Motorsports) was pushing for an opportunity to pass Riberas into sixth place, but the Spaniard held firm. Stefan Wackerbauer (Koiranen Motorsport) then tried to take advantage of the situation by attacking Jones at the braking zone at Les Combes.
The final laps were fast and furious, with Gasly snapping at the heels of Vandoorne. But the Belgian fought hard to defend his position, despite the daring efforts of the chasing Frenchman. Nato, meanwhile, took advantage and extended his lead. Behind him, Kvyat moved up into fourth place at the expense of Hansen. Swedish driver Hansen later received a 10-second penalty after the race for a false start, as did Jones.
At the end of an exciting and keenly contested race, Nato took the chequered flag for his – and RC Formula’s – maiden Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 victory. Vandoorne and Galsy completed the top-three, with Galsy making the podium for the first time. By finishing fourth, Kvyat maintains his lead at the top of the overall standings with a 10-point advantage over Nato.
"It wasn’t easy, as Stoffel and Pierre stayed in contact with me for the whole race," said Nato. "It’s my first victory in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, so it’s obviously an important moment. I need to do just as well tomorrow, as it would be perfect for the championship.”
The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 title fight continues at the Circuit Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on Sunday (June 3) with Round 4.
Full Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Race results available HERE |
|
|
|
Go Top
|
|
|
|
|
