Carlos Sainz Jr and Robin Frijns firm favourites
Koiranen Motorsport's Carlos Sainz Jr, and Josef Kauffmann Racing's Robin Frijns monopolised top spot during Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 collective testing at Paul Ricard HTTT, Motorland Aragón and Barcelona.
The two drivers start the season with a definite psychological advantage over the competition despite some 30 drivers trying their hardest to prove otherwise! Carlos Sainz Jr and Robin Frijns set the tone for Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0's winter collective testing.
With the exception of Barcelona where, despite a wet track, Tech 1 Racing's Miki Wekstrom was the man of the moment on the first day, the Spanish and Dutch drivers were clear leaders in every one of the 11 other sessions. They will undoubtedly be the guys to watch at Motorland Aragon on 16th April as the field lines up for the first race of the season.
Carlos Sainz Jr made his intentions clear last season when he finished on the podium in his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race at Silverstone. The son of double World Rally Champion Carlos Sainz worked hard during the winter break with Korainen Motorsport, the team that helped Kevin Korjus to become the youngest champion in the history of Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. Born on 1st September 1994, Carlos Sainz Jr could still wrest this accolade from the Estonian champion this season, however the finish line is still a long way off.
Formula BMW Europe champion in 2010, Robin Frijns was instantly at home with Formula Renault 2.0, as was his team Josef Kaufmann Racing, both newcomers to the series. The aim of German team and its drivers, Robin Frijns, Mathieu Jaminet and Oscar Andrés Tunjo, is first and foremost to gain experience, but a strong performance at Motorland Aragón would allow Frijns and his teammates to raise their game and their expectations alike.
In a class in which the average age is barely 17, experience counts. Miki Wekstrom, along with Korainen Motorsport's Karl Oscar Liiv, Epic Racing's Alex Riberas and Cram Competition's Enrique Martins, all raced in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 last season and will need to make the most of their knowledge of the single-seater in order to gain an advantage in qualifying.
Having won a race last season at Silverstone, Tech 1 Racing's Javier Tarancon also starts with something of an ace up his sleeve, as does Fortec Motorsport's Will Stevens who finished third in 2010's Formula Renault 2.0 UK.
While some drivers are already familiar with Formula Renault 2.0, others will benefit from inside knowledge of the circuits on which World Series by Renault will be fought out.
This is certainly the case for the top four drivers from the 2010 F4 Eurocup 1.6 2010 who now find themselves racing in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. Last year's champion in the class, KTR's Stoffel Vandoorne will once again lock horns with R-Ace Grand Prix's Norman Nato, Mathieu Jaminet and Tech 1 Racing's Paul-Loup Chatin.
As with Formula Renault 3.5 Series and Eurocup Mégane Trophy, Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 this season adopts the same points system as Formula 1.
The format of the race weekends will also be brought in line with that of Formula Renault 3.5 Series.
Each race will follow a qualifying session, meaning that each race is totally independent.
The winner of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 2011 will be awarded prize money of 500,000 Euros, which will allow him to graduate to Formula Renault 3.5 Series like the stars of previous years Albert Costa and Kevin Korjus.
