Nürburgring - Preview
Formula 1 slot up for grabs After linking up with the WTCC at Monza and then acting as the curtain-raiser for the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series is set to resume its position as the star attraction of the World Series by Renault at Nrburgring, a meeting that marks the halfway point of the season.
Adding further spice to the next event on the calendar is the fact that whoever is top of the leaderboard at the end of the Nrburgring round will be invited to take an exhibition drive in the Lotus Renault GP car at the next meeting in Hungary, meaning there are no fewer than nine drivers in with a chance of grabbing the coveted F1 drive.
Though the main objective for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series drivers is the championship crown and the days test driving with the Lotus Renault GP team that comes with it, there is no question that the chance to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car in mid-season is an added incentive.
That's the prize awaiting the overall leader at the end of the Nurburgring meeting, the fifth on the Formula Renault 3.5 Series calendar. The top driver will get their chance at the next World Series by Renault meeting in Budapest, when they will be able to put the R30 through its paces as part of the Lotus Renault GP demonstration.
First of all, however, comes the task of taming the Nrburgring.
The race for the title is tighter than ever after Monaco. In the colours of the Red Bull Junior Team, Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne (Carlin) is still at the top of the standings, albeit by a single point from Carlin team-mate Robert Wickens.
Newly signed to Marussia Virgin Racings reserve driver roster, the Canadian got back on track in Monaco after failing to pick up a point in Italy. There is no danger, however, of the battle between the two Carlin drivers getting out of hand. With Trevor Carlin around to pass on his sage advice, both Vergne and Wickens know that teamwork will be vital to any future success.
Hard on the heels of the Carlin duo is the chasing pack, led by Alexander Rossi (Fortec Motorsports), with Albert Costa (Epic Racing), Kevin Korjus (Tech 1 Racing) and Daniel Ricciardo (ISR) not far behind. A two-time winner on this circuit in the 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season, and a model of consistency so far this campaign, Costa is on the hunt for his maiden Formula Renault 3.5 Series win.
Backing Korjus up, meanwhile, will be the track know-how of Tech 1 Racing, who landed a one-two at the Nrburgring in 2009.
Only two points separate fourth-placed Costa, the 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 champion, from Korjus, the 2010 winner, and both have designs on taking the lead in the standings and settling into the seat of a Formula 1 car for the first time in their careers.
Another man definitely not out of the running is 2010 runner-up Ricciardo, who recovered his poise with a win from pole in race two at Monza before repeating the feat at Monaco. Yet with 29 points still separating him from championship leader Vergne, the Australian needs to keep stringing the victories together to stay in the hunt. There are 50 points at stake at the Nurburgring, which means that even the likes of Chris Van der Drift (Mofaz Racing), Nelson Panciatici (KMP Racing) and Brendon Hartley (Gravity-Charouz) are in with a chance of finishing the weekend on top of the championship standings.
All three will be looking for a strong showing at the very least, with New Zealander Hartley, who gave Gravity-Charouz its first podium finish at Monaco, likely to fancy his chances in Germany, having claimed pole there in 2009 and taking second place in race two.
