Formula One's Top Drivers Show Formula Renault Strength
Kimi Raikkonen’s maiden FIA World Drivers’ Championship victory and Lewis Hamilton’s second place in the drivers’ standings completes a remarkable double for the Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship. Both drivers made their single-seater debuts in the premier UK national championship, winning the title in 2000 and 2003 respectively.
A third current Formula One driver, ING Renault F1 Team’s Heikki Kovalainen, enjoyed an impressive first season in motorsport’s most prestigious championship. The Finn raced in the Formula Renault UK Championship in 2001 before joining the Renault Driver Development Programme.
For the two leading championship protagonists to emerge from the same national-level championship is testament to the quality of driver attracted to the series, which was re-launched in 2000 with the introduction of the Formula Renault 2.0 car.
Last season saw the introduction of a revised carbon-fibre aerodynamic bodykit, which not only improved the performance of the 2.0-litre 192hp cars but also brought them in line aesthetically with the World Series by Renault Formula Renault 3.5 car and the ING Renault F1 Team car, emphasising the motorsport ladder developed by Renault.
Crowned last week, 2007 champion Duncan Tappy will be hoping to follow his predecessors to the pinnacle of the sport. The 2004 champion Mike Conway won the British Formula Three title and has now progressed to the GP2 Championship, the renowned F1 antechamber of which Hamilton was champion in 2006.
Commenting on the success of two former champions, Formula Renault UK Championship Manager Simon North said: “It’s fantastic news for Formula Renault UK that the two drivers to emerge as the main contenders for the Formula One drivers’ title were Kimi and Lewis. For the two men at the top of the standings to come from the same national championship must be a unique occurrence.
“It was clear to everyone involved in Formula Renault UK with Kimi in 2000 and then Lewis in 2003 that both were special drivers. We’re delighted they have gone on to achieve so much in the sport and we hope that our current group of drivers take heart from this and strive to follow in their footsteps.”
The 2007 Formula Renault UK with Michelin Winter Cup takes place on Saturday, 3rd November at Donington Park and Saturday, 10th November at Croft circuit.
For all the latest Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built by Racecar
