This was not Dorian’s first victory of the year, but his 6th success in 9 meetings. A careful analysis of his results shows a very interesting evolution in the way he has taken all these victories. The fact that this has been his fourth victory in a row proves that his success has not come about by chance. In addition to better chassis set-up, he has also improved in terms of regularity as well as managing to perfect his strategy during competition. There is a special relationship between the driver, his Energy Corse team, his technical staff (Luigina and Simone), the TM company and GFR, the engine preparer. Everyone in this little group knows exactly what to do, so Dorian has the ideal kart at his disposal, which enables him to win, regardless of race conditions. With a sportsman of his calibre, the alchemy works perfectly, and though sometimes it irritates his competitors, it definitely stirs experts’ enthusiasm.

Let us analyse, for example, what happened during Precenicco KF pre-final. Dorian started in pole position with just two new tyres, in order to preserve his chances in the final race. He was passed on the second lap by a driver equipped with four new tyres, which were obviously more effective. Surprised by this choice as well as by the manoeuvre, Dorian found himself third with a slight performance gap at the start of the race. He adapted his driving style and brilliantly launched several attacks, but he could not take the lead. After wisely remaining in third place, he saw a new opportunity on the last lap. Taking advantage of the intense fight between his two opponents, he braked hard and passed on the outside of the turn. Normally this should not be done because it does not work… Except for Dorian! He took second place and was only 0.06 seconds short of victory in the race. In the meanwhile, he also won the admiration of spectators, who could not believe such a prowess was possible.

But in the final, he was 100% focussed. Dorian mounted the tyres he had kept for the occasion and went full gas! He just took the time to have a look to what was going on at the start, from what was far from an ideal position, on the outside line, and then he moved to the attack. He was third on the first lap, second on the second and the leader from the third lap to the 21st, gaining a 1.9″ lead over his rivals on the last lap. Another great victory, brilliantly taken, to be added to his list of achievements. En passant, it should also be stressed that Dorian conquered the SuperPole, won all the qualifying heats and set the meeting record, since no other driver was faster than him. What else needs to be said?

The Lotus F1 Junior Team driver is now solidly in the lead of the provisional WSK Master Series classification and nobody can threaten his leadership. His first title of the year is fast approaching, and Dorian is also focussed on winning the WSK Euro Series and, most of all, major CIK-FIA races.

Eric Boullier, Team Principal, Lotus F1 Team : 
“Lotus F1 Junior Team takes our previous i-Race Professional young driver academy and builds on it to be more closely aligned with the Formula 1 team and all the benefits brought by this association. We have announced seven highly talented drivers, many of whom will be competing against their fellow team-mates from the programme. We’re offering an in-depth and highly beneficial training regime which should encourage these drivers to develop and perform at their very best. Motorsport can be very daunting for young drivers, particularly everything that occurs away from the track, so we hope to give our drivers the very best preparation possible for their future careers.”

The 2013 Lotus F1 Junior Team
Marco Sørensen, 22, Denmark, FR 3.5 with Lotus World Series Team

Marlon Stockinger, 21, Philippines, FR 3.5 with Lotus World Series Team

Alex Fontana, 20, Switzerland, GP3 with Jenzer Motorsport

Oscar Tunjo,17, Colombia, Eurocup FR 2.0 with Kaufmann Racing

Esteban Ocon, 16, France, Eurocup FR 2.0 with ART Junior Team

Alexander Albon, 16, Thailand, Eurocup FR 2.0 team TBA

Dorian Boccolacci, 14, France, Go Kart International KF category with Energy Corse

For more information: 
Lotus F1 Team press office: pressoffice@lotusf1team.com / +44(0) 1608 678 000
Q&As with the 2013 Lotus F1 Junior Team Drivers
Marco Sørensen – Denmark – World Series by Renault

How did you come to be involved with the Lotus F1 Team Junior programme?
At the end of 2011 I was contacted by Gravity Sports Management and the Charouz team to take part in a World Series by Renault test. The deal was that I had to be quickest for them to take a closer look at me which was tricky as it was a big step up from Formula 3, so it’s great to be here and I think this association with the team can only be good for my career in terms of exposure to the top levels of motorsport.

What are your targets for this season in World Series by Renault?

I had some bad luck last year where mechanical issues ended my race whilst in the lead which meant P5 in the championship when it could have been more. At the end, it all comes down to results; if you don’t perform then you won’t progress, so I’m hoping for a bit more good fortune this year and am looking forward to taking on a new challenge with the Lotus F1 Junior Team.

Marlon Stockinger – Philippines – World Series by Renault

How significant is joining the Lotus F1 Junior Team programme to your career? 
It’s a great feeling to be associated with such a prestigious team. If you look back through the years as Benetton and Renault you can see that this team knows how to win championships, so to be surrounded by that heritage is a big honour for me. I really want to make the most of it and am looking forward to wearing the team colours with pride.
It’s a big year for you making the step up to World Series by Renault;

what are your thoughts heading into the season?
Of course, every driver wants to win, but I understand it’s a big step moving into a new category so learning is the most important thing. Starting with testing, I need to take in as much as I can and from there it’s all about consistency and building a strong platform to progress through the ranks. I’m aiming to make a good start and develop as much as I can as the championship progresses.

Alex Fontana – Switzerland – GP3 Series
Being part of the Lotus F1 Junior Team must be a big boost to your ambitions?

Definitely! I haven’t been part of a management programme before and it’s always tough for a young driver to find the backing and experience to help you progress. Being part of Lotus F1 Junior Team will definitely help to give me those things and it’s great to have people really behind you, pushing you to do the best you can. I’m really looking forward to the season ahead.

This will be your first full year in the GP3 Series; what are you looking for from your debut season?

I competed in a couple of races last year alongside the FIA Formula 2 championship and managed to take P4 in Spa, so I have had a good introduction to the championship already. This year the cars have changed slightly and will have a bit more power so it’s not going to be an easy transition, but my aim is to prove my ability over the course of the season and hopefully move on to the GP2 Series or World Series by Renault next year. If you want to get into Formula 1 – which is the ultimate target for any young driver in single-seater categories – then these are the ideal stepping stones to the top level.
Oscar Tunjo – Colombia – Formula Renault 2.0

What does being a member of Lotus F1 Junior Team mean to you?

It’s a big motivation. Just being at Enstone, walking around the factory and learning from all the team members who have such huge knowledge of their respective areas is fantastic. On top of that, I’ve been working with people who have coached so many world class drivers over the years and their experience is something that has made a big difference to me already. It’s a privilege to be part of the team.

You’re competing in Formula Renault 2.0 for the third year in 2013; what’s the aim for the season ahead?
I had a solid start in 2011 but 2012 was a tough year for me, so now I’m even more determined to come back and push for the championship. I feel like I have all the elements in place to make a strong challenge, so my goal is to be consistently at the front of the pack in every session; taking podiums and hopefully as many wins as possible along the way. My motivation is higher than ever to perform as part of the Lotus F1 Junior Team programme.

Esteban Ocon – France – Formula Renault 2.0

How does it feel to be part of the Lotus F1 Junior Team?

I’m familiar with Enstone having been with the Gravity Sports Management programme for the last four years, but it’s great to be associated with a team at the top level of motorsport. I’m trying not to think too much about the link to Formula 1 as it’s important to focus on what you are doing now and not look too far into the future, but I think for any young driver that must be the ultimate goal.

You’ll be taking on the Formula Renault 2.0 series for the second season in 2013; with your debut done and dusted, what would you be happy with this year?
Winning the championship has to be the goal; even if I can’t win every race, I want to be one of the drivers at the front all the way through the season. Last year I learned that consistency is the key, so my aim is to be up there fighting from start to finish.

Dorian Boccolacci – France – KF2 Karting

You’ve been coming to Enstone since the beginning of 2012; how have you enjoyed it so far?
It’s great to be part of the team; being at the factory is a real experience and to be surrounded by people who have worked with the best drivers in the world means I have the best people to learn from. Seeing what another French driver, Romain Grosjean, has achieved with the team has also been a big inspiration to me and so to be part of the setup at Enstone is a big thing for me.

You’re competing in the KF2 World Karting Championships this year; what are your aims for the year ahead?
The goal is always to win, and if you can’t win every time then to pick up the maximum points possible through the year is the most important thing. I managed to break into the top five in the World Championships last year, so the target is to be right at the front this season.

Alexander Albon – Thailand – Formula Renault 2.0

What does the Lotus F1 Junior Team programme mean to you?
It’s great to be a part of this programme. Being at the factory in Enstone is an amazing experience and I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can from my time there. Hopefully this will give me an even better chance to progress over the course of the season and put me in good shape for the future.

You’ll be tackling Formula Renault 2.0 for the second year in succession in 2013; what’s the plan for the season ahead?

Last year was a very tough one for me, so I’m almost thinking of this as my first real season. The first step will be to improve my consistency and take regular points finishes. With that baseline I’ll then be looking to push towards the top five, the podium and eventually race wins, but the priority is to take things step-by-step and develop a good solid platform to progress. Last year didn’t give me much of an opportunity to see where I stand, so I’m really looking forward to being able to show what I can do.

In the Formula Renault 3.5 Series Kevin Korjus scored more points and ended the year in the top 10 in the overall classification. “It hasn’t been an easy season,” summed up Gwenaël Lagrue, the Lotus F1 Team iRace Professional programme manager. “We were hoping for better results, but it’s all part of the learning curve. Our drivers were able to react in a positive way. They gained useful experience and that will help them in the future. They all showed an excellent turn of speed. However, they needed more consistency and also a bit more luck to figure higher up in the overall classifications. We’ll come back even stronger in 2013!”

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Lotus
Qualifying 1: 9th – Race 1: 6th
Qualifying 2: 22th – Race 2: 17th
Championship standing: 10th / 69 points

“The weekend got off to a good start as I was in the leading group on Friday in free practice. On Saturday, we were not as quick in the dry. I still managed to finish sixth even if I think it was possible to have done a lot better. On Sunday, we changed the setup and we were quick. But I lost time during my pit stop. In addition, I hit the limiter too early on the straight so I couldn’t overtake. It’s been a pretty frustrating season overall. Each time I was among the quickest out on the track I wasn’t able to take advantage of it either because of technical problems or other incidents. The end of the season, though, has been a lot more positive and that’s reboosted my confidence. My next objective is the F3 race in Macau; it’s a very exciting challenge.”

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 1st – Race 1: 1st
Qualifying 2: 25th – Race 2: 7th
Championship standing: 7th / 73 points

“It was a good weekend and an ideal way to finish the year. My win on Saturday did me a lot of good as we’ve been expecting it since the start of the season. It’s a telling victory with pole and a flag-to-flag win. On Sunday qualifying didn’t go off very well but we made the right tyre choice for the race by opting for slicks. This helped me fight my way up to seventh and score points. This year we ran into problems. The important thing is to have got my season back on track and to have scored my first victories in single-seaters. I’ve learned a lot and I hope that’ll help me to win the title next year.”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Motorsport
Qualifying 1: 16th – Race 1: NC
Qualifying 2: 6th – Race 2: 32th
Championship standing: 17th / 14 points

“The final weekend was a mirror image of the season. There was an opportunity to do well, in particular in race 2 where a podium finish was on the cards. But I was victim of another driver’s rashness who tipped me into a spin. It was my first season in single-seaters and my aim was just to learn. The year got off to a good start, but then I made mistakes and so did my team. The positive side is that I was on the podium at Paul Ricard. Next year’s aim is to fight for the title in the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup.”

Kevin Korjus was driving for Lotus for the second weekend in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series and clinched two top-10 finishes. The Estonian started from well back on the grid on both occasions – fifteenth and twenty-sixth – despite which he scored points in both events.

In the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup the iRaceProfessional Lotus F1 team drivers did even better. On the first day Oscar Tunjo made a fantastic fight back from tenth to fourth place while Esteban Ocon finished ninth. The latter shone the next day by clinching his first podium finish in the category. Tunjo started from far back on the grid and managed to pull back a few places while setting a searing pace.

These results are encouraging in view of the final rounds of the season on the Montmelo circuit beside Barcelona.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Lotus
Qualifying 1: 15th – Race 1: 9th
Qualifying 2: 26th – Race 2: 8th
Championship standing: 10th / 55 points

“I’m satisfied with my result in the first race as it was very easy to get caught out by the track conditions and the visibility was terrible. In the second qualifying session when I was in the top five without problems my engine failed. I caused a red flag and my fastest time was cancelled dropping me to the back of the grid. I made a bad start as I hit the anti-stall button, but I managed to fight back. I think that our strategy of stopping late was the right one and we had good pace. I’m disappointed as I could have figured among the front-runners if I’d qualified well. A podium finish in Barcelona looks on the cards.”

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 10th – Race 1: 4th
Qualifying 2: 27th – Race 2: 18th
Championship standing: 8th / 42 points

“It’s been a mixed weekend in terms of points but I proved I’ve got the speed to be among the front-runners. In Sunday’s qualifying I broke a wing, hence my position at the back of the grid. I was able to make up places early on, but I started from too far back to score a good result. I feel positive about the whole weekend as I’m very satisfied with the first race. We were able to fight our way up from tenth to fourth place. We have to continue in the same vein despite the slight hitch on Sunday. I hope I’ll be on the pace in Barcelona and score big points again to finish the season on a high note.”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Motorsport
Qualifying 1: 8th – Race 1: 9th
Qualifying 2: 3rd – Race 2: 3rd
Championship standing: 12th / 31 points

“I’m happy with the Paul Ricard meeting. My podium in the second race is the result I’ve been striving to achieve for a long time. Starting from third on the grid made my job a lot easier! The car was perfect, stable in the long curves and quick on the straight. I could maybe have done even better as I moved from fourth to second at one moment. In these difficult conditions because of the wet track, I’m delighted to have scored this result. It’s my first podium and now my aim is victory as soon as possible. I hope I’ll be able to achieve this in Barcelona even if I’ve never driven there in race conditions. My points finish on Saturday has boosted my motivation to end the season on a high note.”

In the Formula Renault 3.5 Series Kevin Korjus was having his first race with the Lotus team. The collaboration between the Estonian and the squad based in the Czech Republic got off to a good start as the iRace Professional driver was back in the points.

Oscar Tunjo scored a couple of seventh places and lapped in the same times as the quickest. Esteban Ocon was not very much at ease as the track evolved. They are now all looking towards the round on the Paul Ricard circuit.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Lotus
Qualifying 1: 18th – Race 1: 12th
Qualifying 2: 8th – Race 2: 7th
Championship standing: 10th / 55 points

“I was getting to grips with a new team this weekend. Everything went off well with Lotus. I immediately felt at home and everybody did their best to help me fit in. It’s the mentality that’s different in this team rather than the car. I improved in each session so that’s very positive. On Saturday I made a good start and I overtook five or six cars. I wanted to get past another three, but unfortunately I ended up off the track so I had to start all over again. I had the speed and I fought my way back up to twelfth although passing is very difficult here. I qualified better for the second race. My speed wasn’t all that great at the start, but the car got better and better as the laps unfolded. After my pit stop Robin Frijns and I tagged each other and the car became difficult to drive. It’s been a positive weekend and I can’t wait to be at Paul Ricard.”

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 8th – Race 1: 7th
Qualifying 2: 11th – Race 2: 7th
Championship standing: 11th / 30 points

“We’re back on the pace again and all we have to do is go quicker in qualifying. I didn’t make a good start in the first race. After the safety car went in I managed to move up several places to finish seventh and score points. In the second heat I never lost contact with the leading group. For the four remaining races my aim is to qualify well.”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Motorsport
Qualifying 1: 21th – Race 1: 21th
Qualifying 2: 26th – Race 2: 18th
Championship standing: 17th / 14 points

“Collective practice went off well, but after that I had problems adapting to the change in grip so I didn’t have a great qualifying session. On this circuit starting from far back on the grid ruins your changes of bagging a good result as overtaking is quasi-impossible. So far as I’m concerned it’s a weekend to forget. Now, I’m totally focalized on Paul Ricard. Collective testing went off well there in the winter and I hope to have a good race on home turf.”

In the Formula Renault 3.5 Series Kevin Korjus had his best weekend since the start of the season with fifth place on Saturday and a podium today, Sunday. The Estonian has relaunched his championship hopes and showed that when he doesn’t suffer technical problems his place is at the top of the time sheets.

In the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup Esteban Ocon upped his game and scored points on Saturday. Oscar Tunhjo had problems getting his car’s setup to his liking all weekend, and had a difficult time but again showed his capacity to fight back.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 9th – Race 1: 5th
Qualifying 2: 8th – Race 2: 3rd
Championship standing: 9th / 49 points

“We had a good weekend without any technical glitches. Above all I needed to score points and that was my main aim when I arrived in Russia. I scored twenty-five, which isn’t too bad. On Saturday I was quick in the race and that fifth place did me a lot of good as I hadn’t finished in the first ten for four races. The start on Sunday was completely chaotic and I damaged the car slightly because of a contact. But I saw that we could pull off a good result. We opted for a cautious strategy by stopping as soon as possible for our obligatory halt. Throughout the race the warning light for the temperature was flashing. I didn’t take too many risks as above all I wanted to see the chequered flag. I managed to snatch third place in the closing laps. I haven’t been on the podium for a long time and it’s done me a power of good!”

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 13th – Race 1: 11th
Qualifying 2: 19th – Race 2: 11th
Championship standing: 12th / 18 points

“The weekend didn’t turn out as I’d hoped. Overall, we didn’t manage to get the car handling properly even though we ran through numerous setups. As it was difficult to overtake on this circuit qualifying was of capital importance. I finished eleventh in both races despite very different scenarios. On Saturday I did what I could with my car and the race was fairly monotonous. On Sunday, I fought back from nineteenth place on the grid and I enjoyed it as I pulled off quite a few passing manoeuvres. Clearly we’re not where we should be. We’ll have to work hard to get back to the top when the season restarts.”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Motorsport
Qualifying 1: 9th – Race 1: 8th
Qualifying 2: 13th – Race 2: Retired
Championship standing: 16th / 14 points

“I got used to this new circuit very quickly. It’s really like a kart track with strings of corners that leave you no time to relax. We took a little time to choose the right setup and we found a good compromise. I hadn’t scored points since Motorland Aragon so I’m happy to have finished eighth on Saturday. On Sunday I retired for the first time this year after a collision. I feel frustrated as I was quick enough to finish in the top seven. I’ll have to do better in the second half of the season.”

Though important, a victory is simply be the result of a series of circumstances that occur at a given time. What is definitely more revealing of one’s true value is the path that leads a winner to the top step of the podium. Dorian Boccolacci, who has staged remarkable performances since his debut, worked through all the stages, from Minikart to Minime and then Cadet, with growing success, as is proven by his title of French Cadet Champion in 2010 followed by his debut in KF3, the international class for junior karters. While competing in a small team behind the wheel of a Birel/TM prepared by Jana Racing in 2011, Dorian consolidated his knowledge of kart setup as well as his race management skills. His remarkable performances quickly revealed his considerable potential, which did not go unnoticed. He was spotted by Gravity Sport Management, which he joined during the season.

In 2012, he joined one of the greatest and most successful teams, Intrepid Driver Program. Dorian had to prove again what he was capable of to win the confidence of his team and obtain the best technicians, while improving his knowledge of the Italian and English languages. He also had to become familiar with his new kart to get the best out of it. Now a member of the Equipe de France FFSA Karting, he also wears a new suit with the colours of iRace Professionnal, the training programme for Lotus F1Team young hopefuls.

Though marked by stunning performances and remarkable feats, his first competitions of the year had not been crowned by victories. Through hard work, alchemy finally developed between the driver, his team and his kart. His first success came in Spain, at Zuera, during the Spanish Championship at the end of May. Faced with the same tough competition found in European championships, Dorian finally won a race. He repeated his stunning performances at another important event, the WSK Euro Series meeting at La Conca, at the end of June, in the summer heat. This win was the fruit of his management ability, in a race where Dorian did not make the slightest mistake. Always in the top 3 during timed qualifying, the qualifying heats and the pre-final, Dorian was in the ideal position in the final to deal the ultimate, unstoppable blow. His rivals made every possible effort, but could not catch him. The long awaited victory finally came.

How to dream of a better timing, now that the 2012 season is about to enter its crucial phase? At the last round of the European Championship, where he is currently third in the classification, as well as at the World Cup in September, Dorian is looking forward to adding another success to his list of achievements while continuously improving his driver’s skills. There is no doubt that victory in karting is not his ultimate goal…

Kevin Korjus was the only iRace Professional representative in the F.R 3.5 Series, but he did not have a great weekend in the Eifel Mountains. He ran into compressor problems in free practice and his lack of track time proved very costly in relation to his rivals.

In the Eurocup F.R. 2.0 Oscar Tunjo and Esteban Ocon both proved their potential and showed a good turn of speed. But they met with little success and did not score any points.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 15th – Race 1: 14th
Qualifying 2: 14th – Race 2: Retired
Championship standing: 10th / 24 points

“On Friday, I ran into technical problems in free practice. I didn’t do many laps so I spent the rest of the weekend trying to make up the time lost. On Saturday, my car’s handling didn’t suit me. We managed to find out what was wrong and on Sunday it was better, but it was too late. I was on the pace in race two. In the opening laps on a very wet track cars were flying in all directions and I had to avoid them, which made me lose even more time. I was eleventh before the safety car came out and then I was harpooned by Arthur Pic and that was the end of my race. It’s a pity as we could have scored a good result. The next round will be interesting as it’s in Moscow and the circuit will be new for everybody. I hope to be spared technical problems and have a perfect weekend.”

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing
Qualifying 1: 9th – Race 1: 22th
Qualifying 2: 13th – Race 2: 21th
Championship standing: 11th / 18 points

“I can only be disappointed with my results this weekend. On Saturday I finished sixth but I was hit with a twenty-five-second penalty after a collision, which dropped me out of the points. On Sunday we made the wrong tyre choice. We started on wets and it worked early on as I went from fourteenth to fourth in two laps, but there was nothing I could do when the track started to dry out. My team and I have to work together to progress, and in particular to improve our strategy. Overall, I have to be more consistent. Now we’re off to Russia and as nobody knows the circuit it’ll be very interesting to see the hierarchy. It’d be good to be at the front from the very start in Moscow.”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Motorsport
Qualifying 1: 21th – Race 1: 12th
Qualifying 2: 19th – Race 2: 18th
Championship standing: 15th / 10 points

“My results weren’t great but I was able to show my speed this weekend. On Saturday, I only did one qualifying lap: it was going well and then a brake disc shattered. I started from twenty-fourth place and I fought my way up to thirteenth setting the same times as the leaders. On Sunday, we opted for rain tyres, which worked well in the opening laps, and after that we needed slicks. I did all I could to stay in front of my pursuers. Overall, I didn’t have much success this weekend but I gained more experience. The next round will be a challenge as for once we’ll all have a level playing field as we’ll be discovering the circuit. I’ll be on an equal footing with everybody else. This weekend there was a simulator in the paddock to help us get to grips with the Moscow Raceway. I did a few laps on it and it’s given me an idea of what to expect.”

La file intérieure prend le meilleur départ, Ilott, Boccolacci et Kodric, suivis par Russell, Dalton Sargeant (Tony Kart/Vortex), Palou, Sitnikov, Alessio Lorandi (Tony Kart/Vortex) et Lance Stroll (Zanardi/Parilla). Un accrochage dans la gomme du 1er droite serré ralentit le peloton et élimine Piccini et Jupp. Boccolacci prend la tête au 2ème passage, à la 1ère épingle. Ilott tente de suivre le rythme du nouveau leader, Russell talonne Kodric, le 3ème. Palou sombre en 22ème position, Valentin Naud (Tony Kart/Vortex) a pris un bon départ et pointe rapidement 14ème.

Crédité du meilleur temps, Boccolacci distance peu à peu ses adversaires. Ilott doit maintenant surveiller le retour de Kodric qui a laché Russell, tandis que Lorandi prend le meilleur sur Sargeant.
Économe en coups de volant et prudent avec l’angle de braquage de ses roues, Boccolacci se dirige vers une grande et belle victoire, tandis que Kodric prend l’avantage sur Ilott dans l’avant dernier tour et que Russell vise maintenant la 3ème place. Mais Ilott la conserve pour un centième face à Lorandi qui est venu se mêler à la fête. Russell termine 5ème de justesse devant Sargeant.

After things got off to a good start in the collective test session for Kevin Korjus and Richie Stanaway, the Estonian and the New Zealander were hit with a succession of technical problems. The latter was injured in a high-speed collision in race 2. He has two fractured vertebrae and will be out of action for several weeks.

In the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup, Oscar Tunjo and Esteban Ocon both had difficult qualifying sessions that compromised their chances of a good result. However, the two young drivers accumulated valuable experience on this exceptional circuit.

Kevin Korjus (EST)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Tech 1 Racing

Qualifying 1: 3rd – Race 1: retired
Qualifying 2: 4th – Race 2: 7th
Championship standing: 7th / 12 points

“Overall it’s a weekend best forgotten. On Friday Tech 1 Racing and I did a good job. Then on Saturday I ran into several technical problems and I didn’t even go out. In qualifying an air compressor malfunctioned, and then a clutch problem during the formation lap left me stranded on the grid. Because of the wet conditions on Sunday we decided to use only one set of qualifying rubber to keep the quicker tyres for the race. There again it all went south. When I was given the signal to come in the race was neutralized so I had to make my obligatory stop after the restart. It’s a pity as I could have scored points. We now have a few weeks to really prepare for the next round at the Nürburgring. Above all, I hope that Richie will be back soon in tip-top form. We share a flat and it’s not nice to be at home knowing he’s in hospital.”

Richie Stanaway (NZL)
Formula Renault 3.5 Series – Lotus

Qualifying 1: 4th – Race 1: retired
Qualifying 2: 11th – Race 2: 6th
Championship standing: 11th / 8 points

Richie Stanaway’s weekend got off to a good start as he set the second-fastest time in the collective test session. On Saturday in qualifying the New Zealander was caught out by dust in the Malmedy curve and went off. A gear linkage problem prevented him from fighting his corner in the first race. Technical problems slowed him again on Sunday in the second qualifying session in the rain. He only managed one flying lap and was fourteenth quickest. In the race Stanaway was fighting for points when his car took off after a collision with another competitor. He fractured his fourth and fifth vertebrae and was transported to the hospital in Verviers after which he was transferred to the Pitié-Salpêtrière in Paris for further examinations and possibly an operation. He will now have to recuperate to recover completely in the next few weeks.

Oscar Tunjo (COL)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Tech 1 Racing

Qualifying 1: 8th – Race 1: retired
Qualifying 2: 1st – Race 2: 2nd
Championship standing: 4th / 18 points

“It was a difficult weekend. I wasn’t able to find the right rhythm in free practice and that led to a poor qualifying session. I really have to work on this point as it’s crucial to qualify well to score a good result. Before the Nürburgring we’re coming back to Spa-Francorchamps for the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps, and it’ll be a good opportunity for me to improve my performance over a lap. I arrived here in fourth place overall and I left in eighth so there’s no way I can be satisfied. But things change very quickly. I have to win at the Nürburgring!”

Esteban Ocon (FRA)
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Koiranen Bros

Qualifying 1: 32nd – Race 1: 19th
Qualifying 2: 7th – Race 2: 5th
Championship standing: 8th / 10 points

“It was my first time out at Spa-Francorchamps. The weather conditions weren’t much of a help as I had to get to grips with a wet track on Friday. The only way to find out Spa’s secrets is to do a lot of laps. My weekend can be summed up as a couple of difficult qualifying sessions in which I wasn’t very lucky, especially with the yellow flags which hit me when I was building up speed. I’m certain that when we come back here in two weeks time for the Formula Renault Alps, I’ll be able to up the pace. The next round of the Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup is on a circuit I don’t know either, the Nürburgring. My aim there is to score points and I want at least one podium finish this season.”