The Silverstone round of the World Series by Renault once again proved to be a huge hit with the British public, with 120,000 motorsport fans turning out for the event. The new Formula Renault 3.5 was presented to the teams, drivers and press over the weekend, and the car instantly set pulses racing. Fans caught their first glimpse of Renault Sport Technologies' new single-seater on Sunday morning, thanks to an on-track demonstration by Romain Grosjean. It was a weekend of doubles on the track, with the same driver winning both races in each of the five disciplines. A few titles were also decided at Silverstone, but for most of the WSR drivers, the championship race continues in earnest at Paul Ricard HTTT before the season finale in Barcelona.
François Champod, Technical Manager for Competitions, Renault Sport Technologies: "There really is a special atmosphere around Silverstone and it's always a pleasure to come here. The fans came out in force once again. The excitement and passion you feel in these legendary surroundings is something you can't find anywhere else. The unveiling of the new Formula Renault 3.5 was a particular highlight. It was very well received by the teams, the drivers and the press, and several teams have already put themselves forward to join the discipline next season. It was symbolic for the new car to complete its first public laps at Silverstone, in front of a crowd of such passionate, knowledgeable motorsport fans. Seeing the new Formula Renault 3.5 side-by-side with a Formula One car is a very positive sign. Our aim was to get as close as possible to Formula One - the highest level of motorsport - so that the drivers are even better prepared to move from one formula to the other. The unveiling is a significant step, and given the enthusiasm everyone has shown, it is a fitting reward for Renault Sport Technologies and everyone involved with this project."
Formula Renault 3.5 Series: Robert Wickens regains top spot, Carlin clinch Teams title Robert Wickens bounced back from his Budapest blip in style at Silverstone by scoring two pole positions and two race victories over the weekend. The double win sees the Canadian replace Jean-Eric Vergne at the top of the championship standings, and sends him to Paul Ricard HTTT with a 34-point lead. "There are weekends like that when everything goes to plan," said Wickens, the new Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship leader. "After a disappointing meeting at Budapest, my goal was to at least regain first place. I got the job done with two pole positions and two race victories, and my team, Carlin, also won the Teams title. It's just reward for the whole team for the fantastic job they've done. Once again, we had the perfect car."
On his return to the circuit where he made his Formula One debut with HRT just a few weeks ago, Daniel Ricciardo finished second in both races to move up to third in the overall standings. The Australian will be determined to return to winning ways at the next round of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, while team-mate Nathanaël Berthon, who finished on the podium in both races at Silverstone, will also be looking to maintain his momentum.
Before turning their thoughts to the next round at Paul Ricard HTTT, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series drivers will head to the Lotus Renault GP factory in Enstone for a two-day training course.
Race 1: 1st - R. Wickens, CAN (Carlin), 2nd - D. Ricciardo, AUS (ISR), 3rd - A. Rossi, USA (Fortec Motorsports) Race 2: 1st - R. Wickens, CAN (Carlin), 2nd - D. Ricciardo, AUS (ISR), 3rd - N. Berthon, FRA (ISR) Overall standings: 1st - R.Wickens, 198 pts, 2nd - J.E. Vergne, 164 pts, 3rd - D. Ricciardo, 125 pts
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0: Robin Frijns extends advantage Robin Frijns moved into first place in the Eurocup Formula Renault standings before the summer break, and he strengthened his position at the top over the weekend with two more victories at Silverstone. The Dutchman widened the gap thanks in no small part to the misfortune of Carlos Sainz Jr., who had problems on the starting grid on Saturday before experiencing difficulties with his throttle sensor on Sunday. "These are two important victories, and they came on a circuit that I'm particularly fond of," said Frijns. "I know I can secure the title at Paul Ricard HTTT, but I prefer not to think about that. I now have a lead of more than 50 points - the equivalent of two victories - but we've seen how quickly things can change this season. I'll approach the coming races the same way I approach all the others. It's the best thing to do." Alex Riberas and Will Stevens joined Frijns on the podium on Saturday, after a thrilling race that became even more exciting when the rain started to fall. Frijns fought hard on Sunday to take the chequered flag ahead of Alex Lynn and Paul-Loup Chatin, with the pair finishing on the podium for the first time this season. Stoffel Vandoorne, meanwhile, came home in fourth. Race 1: 1st - R. Frijns, NED (Josef Kaufmann Racing), 2nd - A. Riberas, ESP (Epic Racing), 3rd - W. Stevens, GBR (Fortec Motorsports) Race 2: 1st - R. Frijns, NED, 2nd - A. Lynn, GBR (Fortec Motorsports), 3rd - P-L. Chatin, FRA (Tech 1 Racing) Overall standings: 1st - R. Frijns, 186 pts, 2nd - C. Sainz Jr., 131 pts, 3rd - D. Kvyat, 107 pts
Eurocup Megane Trophy: Stefano Comini and Oregon Team crowned champions With ten poles and nine victories, Stefano Comini has enjoyed near-total dominance in the Eurocup Megane Trophy this season. The Swiss star became the first World Series by Renault driver to win a title this year, and in the end his triumph came as little surprise. "Saturday's race was certainly the hardest to win, as I had to overtake my team-mate right at the very end," said the new Eurocup Megane Trophy champion. "It's a great feeling for my team, for my entire family and for me. I'm still hungry for victories and I will do everything I can to record more pole positions and win more races this season." Comini's double success, combined with Niccolo Nalio's second-place finish on Saturday and third on Sunday, ensured that Oregon Team also clinched the Teams title. It was a fitting end to the weekend for the Italian team, who can now add two significant triumphs to their honours list. Race 1: 1st - S. Comini, SWI (Oregon Team), 2nd - N. Nalio, ITA (Oregon Team), B. Schothorst, NED (TDS Racing) Race 2: 1st - S. Comini, SWI (Oregon Team), 2nd - B. Schothorst, NED (TDS Racing), 3rd - N. Nalio, ITA (Oregon Team) Overall standings: 1st - S. Comini, 243 pts, 2nd - N. Nalio, 143 pts, 3rd - D. Dermont, 103 pts
Formula Renault 2.0 UK: Alex Lynn widens gap at the top Alex Lynn strengthened his already solid lead in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK at Silverstone, recording his ninth and tenth victories of the season. The British driver also scored an impressive pole position in race two of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, before finishing second to tighten his grip on the UK title. Next stop: Rockingham. Race 1: 1st - A. Lynn, GBR (Fortec Motorsports), 2nd - F. Serralles, PUR (Fortec Competition), D. Cammsih, GBR (Mark Burdett Motorsport) Race 2: 1st - A. Lynn, GBR (Fortec Motorsports), 2nd - O. Rowland, GBR (Fortec Motorsports), 3rd - F. Serralles, PUR (Fortec Competition)
Air Asia Renault Clio CupThe Air Asia Renault Clio Cup brought together competitors from the Clio Cup UK and Clio Cup Netherlands, and the drivers gave their all for this non-championship round at Silverstone. Luke Wright secured an impressive double victory to ensure that "God Save the Queen" echoed around the circuit on both Saturday and Sunday. Race 1: 1st - L. Wright, GBR (Scuderia Vittoria), 2nd - S. Bleekemolen, NED (Team Bleekemolen), 3rd - N. Langeveld, NED (Certainty Racing Team) Race 2: 1st - L. Wright, 2nd - M. Dekker, NED (Dekker Racing), 3rd - J. Smith, GBR (Team Pyro)
Next meeting: Paul Ricard HTTT, France, 17 and 18 September 2011
