Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Estoril – Race 2

As Jon Lancaster (SG Formula) claimed his third race win of the season here today, Brendon Hartley (Epsilon Red Bull) secured a third-place finish behind his teammate Mika Mäki. The New-Zealander thus adds his name to the illustrious list of Eurocup winners, following in the footsteps of Felipe Massa (2000), Scott Speed (2004), Kamui Kobayashi (2005) and Filipe Albuquerque (2006). His prize is a 200,000€ grant, which will finance his participation in World Series Formula Renault 3.5 next year. In a replay of yesterday, Jon Lancaster made an impeccable start from pole position. The Englishman went into the first bend in the lead, followed by Mika Mäki (Epsilon Red Bull). Roberto Merhi (Jenzer Motorsport) and Miguel Julià (Epsilon Euskadi) were the only victims of the opening lap.

Jon Lancaster wasted no time in putting some open track between himself and Mika Mäki, who found himself under pressure from his teammate Brendon Hartley. Hartley was followed by Henki Waldschmidt (Prema Powerteam), Alexandre Marsoin (SG Formula), Mihai Marinescu (District Racing), Stefano Coletti (Epsilon Red Bull), Jaime Alguersuari (Epsilon Red Bull), Charles Pic (SG Formula) and Aleix Alcaraz (District Racing).

Determined to defend his second place in the overall standings, Pic overtook Alguersuari on lap 3. The Spaniard, who was hindered by a damaged front wing, then had to contend with pressure from his fellow countryman Alcaraz, as well as Nelson Panciatici (Boutsen Energy Racing) and Frank Kechele (Motopark Academy).

Alcaraz and Panciatici both managed to pass Alguersuari before his wing came loose, spraying debris onto the track, and the Epsilon driver pulled into the pits to get his nose cone replaced.

Meanwhile, Lancaster was in total control, earning an extra point for the fastest race lap. After six laps, he was 2.4 seconds ahead of Mäki, who still had Hartley hot on his heels. The New-Zealander was well aware that third place would be enough to secure him the title before the final two races of the season in Barcelona!

Further back, Waldschmidt, Marsoin and Marinescu were engaged in an absorbing battle for fourth place. Panciatici and Kechele, meanwhile, were fighting it out for tenth position. The German driver had to wait until lap 14 for his opportunity to sneak past the Frenchman. Marinescu launched one last attack on the final lap, snatching fifth place from Marsoin.

Jon Lancaster: "Two pole positions, two race wins and the fastest lap in both races: I couldn't have dreamed of a better weekend. It's fantastic, as this is only my first season in single-seater racing. I hope I can hold onto my second place in the Eurocup in Barcelona!"

Mika Mäki: "It's good to be back on the podium. I had some problems with the car yesterday. That was fairly typical of the way things have gone for me this season: I've rarely been in a position to challenge for the top places."

Brendon Hartley: "This is a fantastic moment for me! I had a bit of a problem with my engine this weekend, which prevented me from challenging for the win, but that will be sorted out in time for Barcelona, and I'd like to celebrate winning the championship with one or two more race wins!"

Pos Number Driver  Team  Laps Time GapFirst KPH 

1 3 Jon LANCASTER SG DRIVERS PROJECT 17 27:52.801 - 153.9   2 16 Mika MÄKI EPSILON RED BULL TEAM 17 27:56.118 +3.317 153.5   3 18 Brendon HARTLEY EPSILON RED BULL TEAM 17 28:00.461 +7.660 153.4   4 25 Henki WALDSCHMIDT PREMA POWERTEAM 17 28:06.564 +13.763 153.5   5 29 Mihai MARINESCU DISTRICT RACING 17 28:07.690 +14.889 152.8   6 4 Alexandre MARSOIN SG DRIVERS PROJECT 17 28:08.644 +15.843 152.8   7 15 Stefano COLETTI EPSILON EUSKADI 17 28:08.951 +16.150 152.9   8 2 Charles PIC SG FORMULA 17 28:09.535 +16.734 153.4   9 28 Aleix ALCARAZ DISTRICT RACING 17 28:10.104 +17.303 153.2   10 6 Frank KECHELE MOTOPARK ACADEMY 17 28:11.838 +19.037 153.7   11 34 Nelson PANCIATICI BOUTSEN ENERGY RACING 17 28:13.917 +21.116 153.4   12 1 Fabio ONIDI SG FORMULA 17 28:15.018 +22.217 153.1   13 9 Oliver TURVEY JENZER MOTORSPORT 17 28:17.688 +24.887 152.7   14 5 Oliver OAKES MOTOPARK ACADEMY 17 28:18.483 +25.682 152.9   15 51 Daniel RICCIARDO RP MOTORSPORT 17 28:21.666 +28.865 152.3   16 24 Martin PLOWMAN PREMA POWERTEAM 17 28:22.018 +29.217 152.4   17 52 Anton NEBILTSKIY SG DRIVERS PROJECT 17 28:26.102 +33.301 152.2   18 26 Cesar RAMOS BVM MINARDI TEAM 17 28:26.373 +33.572 152.2   19 27 Adrian QUAIFE-HOBBS BVM MINARDI TEAM 17 28:28.191 +35.390 152.3   20 8 Tobias HEGEWALD MOTORSPORT ARENA 17 28:28.535 +35.734 152.4   21 21 Daniele ZAMPIERI CRAM COMPETITION 17 28:31.618 +38.817 151.4   22 7 Tiago PETIZ MOTORSPORT ARENA 17 28:32.548 +39.747 151.7   23 23 Andrea CALDARELLI PREMA POWERTEAM 17 28:32.763 +39.962 152.0   24 11 Fabio LEIMER JENZER MOTORSPORT 17 28:35.758 +42.957 152.0   25 50 Patrick KRONEMBERGER RP MOTORSPORT 17 28:39.291 +46.490 151.1   26 14 Pablo MONTILLA EPSILON EUSKADI 17 28:44.550 +51.749 150.8   27 19 Jaime ALGUERSUARI EPSILON RED BULL TEAM 16 27:38.127 1 Lap 153.5   28 10 Roberto MERHI JENZER MOTORSPORT 16 28:33.127 1 Lap 153.0   29 32 Pascal KOCHEM OMICRON RACING 15 25:04.546 2 Laps 152.5   30 31 Francesc MORENO OMICRON RACING 15 28:51.602 2 Laps 151.9     33 Stephane RICHELMI BOUTSEN ENERGY RACING 8 14:09.733   150.9     12 Miquel JULIÀ EPSILON EUSKADI 1 2:12.862