Winner of the first race of the season, Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) leads the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 ahead of the BVM Minardi drivers Daniel Zampieri and Cesar Ramos. Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula), Roberto Mehri (Epsilon Euskadi) and Valtteri Bottas (Motorpark Academy) will have to pull out all the stops at Silverstone to close the gap on the leaders.
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 is certainly one of the most hotly-contested categories around. With more than forty cars in the starting line-up, the slightest mistake can have significant consequences. Among the favourites this season, Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Andrea Caldarelli and Roberto Mehri all paid the price at Spa-Francorchamps. The trouble, caused by chaotic start during the second race, brought a surprise victory for Paul Meijer (MP Motorsport). Meijer, a ‘wild card' entry at Spa-Francorchamps, will not be racing at Silverstone.
Daniel Ricciardo is now the only favourite to have lived up to expectations. The SG Formula driver seems full of confidence, as his four successes since the beginning of the season attest. With a win in the Eurocup and three further victories in the West European Cup, the season has started well for Ricciardo but it is now up to him to build on his success.
The Australian currently heads the championship standings, with BVM Minardi drivers Daniel Zampieri and Cesar Ramos just behind. Competitive and reliable, the two men pulled off an impressive result in Belgium. Their objective now will be to continue their run at Silverstone.
Valtteri Bottas needs to build on his recent form when he arrives in Great Britain next weekend. Consistently quick, the Finnish driver must draw on all his resources to notch up his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 victory. Like Andrea Caldarelli or Roberto Merhi, Bottas must up his game if he is to make up ground in the overall standings.
The British contingent is well represented in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. In addition to the Hitech Motorsport and Fortec Motorsport teams, both of which should be well served by their extensive experience of the circuit, there will be six British drivers on show.
Adrian Quaife-Hobbs (BVM Minardi Team) proved quick in qualifying at Spa-Francorchamps, with two top-ten starting positions. Although he was less lucky during the races, he nevertheless has the means at his disposal to make his national anthem ring out at Silverstone. Richard Singleton, Luciano Bacheta (Hitech Junior Team), Dean Smith, Daniel McKenzie and Alex Morgan (Fortec Motorsport) all have the advantage of a little local knowledge.
Two races are scheduled, the first on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. and the second on Sunday at 11:25 a.m.
