This season’s final meeting looks set to deliver an explosive weekend of racing in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – with twelve races gone, only a handful of points separate the three potential title winners. Epsilon Euskadi’s Albert Costa returns to his home country as leader, two points clear of SG Formula’s Jean-Éric Vergne. Motopark Academy’s Antonio Felix da Costa lies third and could still pip the top two at the post.
Albert Costa, Jean-Éric Vergne and Antonio Felix da Costa have stood out from the rest since the first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 collective test sessions. The three men have been engaged in a thrilling battle since the opening laps of the 2009 season – and one so close that as we head into the final meeting of the year, Albert Costa, Jean-Éric Vergne and Antonio Felix da Costa are still neck and neck. The last outing of the current race car, due to be replaced by New Formula Renault 2.0 in 2010, promises to be explosive!
Albert Costa moved top of the overall standings at the Nürburgring, thanks to two race wins. With five wins, two runner-up spots and five pole positions to his name, the Spaniard has the best statistics. When he finishes a race, he’s usually on the top step of the podium or the second step. The Barcelona-born driver may yet come to regret his four DNFs, however, which now count seriously against him.
In second place, only two points behind Costa, Jean-Éric Vergne was slow to get going, scoring only thirteen points in the first four races of the season. The Frenchman didn’t panic, however, and his first win in Budapest got his season back on track. In fact, Jean-Éric Vergne has been an ever-present on the podium since Silverstone. With four wins, two runner-up spots and three third places, as well as four pole positions, the record of SG Formula’s lead driver is rather impressive, to say the least.
In theory, Albert Costa’s job is simple: to become champion, he just has to make sure he remains ahead of Jean-Éric Vergne. The Frenchman's first goal will be to claim pole position and win the point awarded, so as to draw level with the Spaniard.
Except that the top two will also have to keep an eye on Antonio Felix da Costa. Seventeen points adrift of Albert Costa, the Portuguese driver has no choice but to go for broke. Up to the Nürburgring round, the Motopark Academy driver was Mr. Consistency, taking the Formula Renault 2.0 North European Cup title a few weeks ago. But the Scrutineers deemed his race car to be non-compliant after qualifying at the Nürburgring, and although his team, Motopark Academy, has lodged an appeal against this decision, for the moment the German round looks to have cost Antonio Felix da Costa dear. He comes to Motorland Aragón with a psychological advantage over his rivals, however, as he was quickest during the collective test sessions organized here in September. Antonio Felix da Costa finished ahead of Albert Costa, Motopark Academy’s Marco Sorensen and Jean-Éric Vergne.The three leaders’ team-mates may play a key role in the final outcome. Fourth in the overall standings, SG Formula Miki Monras is still looking for his first win in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. Fifth-placed Motopark Academy’s Adrian Quaife-Hobbs has already won once this year in Budapest, but will be determined to get back on the podium. As thoughts turn to preparations for 2010, Epsilon Euskadi’s Nathanaël Berthon, Motopark Academy’s Kevin Magnussen, Epsilon Euskadi’s Carlos Munoz, Motopark Academy’s Kuba Giermaziak and SG Formula’s Arthur Pic will also be looking to end the season on a high note.
Jenzer Motorsport’s Nico Müller, Genis Olivé and Krenek Motorsport’s Adam Kout have equally been regularly battling it out with the front runners. Now that the pressure is off, they can focus exclusively on producing a special performance here.
