Eurocup Mégane Trophy Paul Ricard HTTT-Collective testing

No let-up from commanding CominiHaving already sealed the title, Stéfano Comini (Oregon Team) continues to sweep all before him, the Swiss once again topping the timesheets in collective testing in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy. After outpacing the champion in the morning and taking second place in session two, however, France's Grégory Guilvert (Team Lompech Sport) could yet surprise the seemingly unstoppable Comini.

Though the Eurocup Mégane Trophy championship race is over, with only the Gentlemen Drivers' title to be decided, the rest of the field are going flat out in a bid to get the better of newly crowned champion Stefano Comini. France's Grégory Guilvert (Team Lompech Sport) is a case in point as he bids for victory on home territory. And after his encouraging debut outing at Silverstone, Richard Kressner is back for more with Equipe Verschuur, while Eurocup Clio and Dutch Clio Cup driver Ruud Steenmetz is getting his first taste of Eurocup Mégane Trophy action this weekend.

Guilvert made his intentions clear at the start of session one, wasting no time in posting a fastest lap and then upping the tempo. And whenever Bas Schothorst and Comini managed to outdo him, the Lompech Sport man promptly went out and restored his lead.There had been no fewer than 12 changes in the lead by the time the session came to an end, though it was Giulvert who stood top with a time of 2:14:429, with Schothorst second and Comini third. One place behind them was David Dermont, who has the Gentlemen Drivers' crown in his sights this weekend, with Fabien Thuner (Boutsen Energy Racing) completing the top five.Thuner lead the way in the afternoon session only for Niccolo Nalio (Oregon Team), Dermont and Guilvert to outpace him and then for Comini to take to the front.Accepting the challenge Thuner, who has one podium finish to his name this season, stormed back into the lead with a provisional time of 2:14:389, the best of the day to that point. Schothorst and Guilvert then bettered the Swiss driver's mark, before Comini continued the pattern of the season, posting the day's fastest lap of 2:13:219 to end proceedings in a familiar position: on top.What they said: Grégory Guilvert: "We didn't really get our set-up right at Silverstone, but Team Lompech Sport have worked tremendously hard over the last few days and we've got a much better car here. I like this track a lot, and it would be great if I could get my first Eurocup Mégane Trophy win here in France."

David Dermont : "I know I can win the Gentlemen Drivers' title this weekend, but I'm honestly not thinking about it. It would be a bonus if it happened, but I'm focusing on the race first and foremost. I had an eventful day today and span off at the start of the second session. Things can only get better tomorrow."


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