Charles Leclerc took over exactly from where he left in Monza in July when he managed a double. In Mugello, hosting this weekend the penultimate 2014 Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS round, the Monaco driver racing with Fortec Motorsports proved to be the fastest in both free practice sessions.
After being the only one capable of lapping below the 1’45” margin in the morning session, 263 thousands faster than the Championship leader Nyck de Vries (Koiranen GP), Leclerc further improved in the afternoon when he set 1’44”145 (more than a tenth quicker than 2013 Antonio Fuoco pole position), once more chased by the Dutch.
Right behind them the Norwegian Dennis Olsen (Prema Powerteam), racing as a wild card and thus not affecting the overall. Same for his team mate Bruno Bonifacio, who set fifth behind the young Matevos Isaakyan (JD Motorsport). Impressive racing from Stefan Riener also, sixth with Cram Motorsport, and from the British George Russell (Koiranen GP), who proved to be the quickest on track half way through the session when a light rain started to fall.
The Croatian Martin Kodric (Fortec Motorsports) set third in the morning session ahead of Riener and Isaakyan. Behind them yet another British for Fortec Motorsports, Jack Aitken and the Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi (MGR Motorsport).
Tomorrow, at 10.15, qualify time with all entrants divided in Groups A and B. Race One green light is set for 17.10 while we’ll have to wait for Sunday at 13.30 for Race Two. Both races, as the qualify, will be live streamed on renaultsportitalia.it.
Free Practice 1 (top 10): 1. Charles Leclerc MC (Fortec Motorsports) 1’44”754; 2. Nyck de Vries NDL (Koiranen GP) 1’45”017; 3. Martin Kodric CRO (Fortec Motorsports) 1’45”305; 4. Stefan Riener AUT (Cram Motorsport) 1’45”392; 5. Matevos Isaakyan RUS (JD Motorsport) 1’45”479; 6. Jack Aitken GBR (Fortec Motorsports) 1’45”552; 7. Pietro Fittipaldi BRA (MGR Motorsport) 1’45”571; 8. Marek Boeckmann GER (Jenzer Motorsport) 1’45”614; 9. Egor Orudzhev RUS (Tech 1 Racing) 1’45”675; 10. George Russel GBR (Koiranen GP) 1’45”709.
Free Practice 2 (top 10): 1. Charles Leclerc MC (Fortec Motorsports) 1’44”145; 2. Nyck de Vries NDL (Koiranen GP) 1’44”159; 3. Dennis Olsen NOR (Prema Powerteam) 1’44”802; 4. Matevos Isaakyan RUS (JD Motorsport) 1’44”905; 5. Bruno Bonifacio BRA (Prema Powerteam) 1’45”087; 6. Stefan Riener AUT (Cram Motorsport) 1’45”176; 7. George Russell GBR (Koiranen GP) 1’45”199; 8. Matt Parry GBR (Fortec Motorsports) 1’45”259; 9. Hans Villemi EST (Prema Powerteam) 1’45”338; 10. Pietro Fittipaldi BRA (MGR Motorsport) 1’45”479.
The Championship (top 5): 1. Nyck de Vries NDL (Koiranen GP) 200; 2. Charlers Leclerc MC (Fortec Motorsports) 130; 3. Matevos Isaakyan RUS (JD Motorsport) 122; 4. George Russell GBR (Koiranen GP) 77; 5. Simon Gachet FRA (Arta Engineering) 68.
