With many Eurocup drivers joining, the latest Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup test at Hockenheim already delivered strong battles although the season’s decisive part has not even started yet. Teams and drivers prepared themselves under dry and rainy conditions. Lando Norris (Josef Kaufmann Racing) led the pace at Hockenheim. Two weeks earlier, Russian Nikita Troitskiy (Fortec Motorsports) was quickest at Assen. The Nürburgring test was cancelled after snow and ice had not melted in time.
MSA Formula champion Lando Norris set the best overall lap time of the two-day Hockenheim test. The Briton said: “We were competitive on new and on used tyres. Leading by quite a big margin is good. But still, not everyone is here and my teammate Jehan will be fast. It’s also hard to say if everyone already went flat out or how much they will improve when they do.”
RAIN PLAYS ITS PART ON DAY ONE
Back on the first day at Hockenheim, rain and a wet track made life hard in the morning sessions. Several red flag suspensions interrupted the drivers collecting miles after various pilots had spun out or crashed.
The Hockenheimring became dry in the afternoon, giving Alex Gill (Mark Burdett Motorsport) the chance to set the first day’s best time. The Briton said: “We struggled a bit in the wet. But basically, it was good. Having the Eurocup guys here is a good benchmark how the season will go ahead. I can’t wait for Monza.”
2016 FIELD GROWS BY A FURTHER TEAM
The Hockenheim test also staged the entry of a further team. Kim Einar Olsen’s squad KEO Racing is back after a two-year break. Sitting behind the wheel is Danish driver Kasper Larsen, who was runner-up is last year’s Danish Formula Ford.
FURTHER MILEAGE AT ASSEN, BUT NÜRBURGRING CANCELLED
Two weeks before the Hockenheim test, a smaller number of drivers already drove at Assen. Nikita Troitskiy (Fortec Motorsports) was quickest after two days of testing. The Russian said: “We worked on the setup and improved in every session. In our last run, we had another massive improvement on new tyres.”
The Nürburgring test, scheduled between Assen and Hockenheim, was cancelled due to icy track conditions. Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup Race Director Werner Aichinger says: “Three days before the test, the track surface was still iced. The tarmac itself might have been okay in time. But the run off areas were still topped with thick ice plates. It would have been irresponsible to let anyone drive.”
COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL MONZA
Four weeks are left until the season kicks off at Monza. The Italian high-speed cathedral hosts the first two races from 22 to 24 April. Championship Coordinator Ralph Weishaupt says: “At the moment, we expect a grid of about 25 cars. The test results let us hope for a good competition between returners and newcomers.”
Press release Formula Renault 2.0 NEC
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