F4 EUROCUP 1.6 - SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS - PRESENTATION

23/04 - The leader on his land

Stoffel Vandoorne © DPPI

The academicians will be seeing each other in Belgium, on the Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, from 30th April to 2nd May within the World Series by Renault. Having left leader of the F4 Eurocup 1.6 Championship, Stoffel Vandoorne will have an extra advantage: that of racing at home. Face to his public, the RACB National Team Steering Wheel hopes to continue his success by adding a 2nd if not 3rd victory to his prize list.

Following the example of his predecessor Benjamin Bailly, representing the RACB and Champion in title, Stoffel Vandoorne picked up his first victory as from the first meeting, during the 2nd race. We all know that he is one of the drivers we shall have to watch closely this season. Just like Norman Nato (Paca Steering Wheel) who will remain the very first winner of this new International Series which is the F4 Eurocup 1.6. The former French Go-kart Team driver (from 2007 to 2009) only has four points delay and he is eager to catch up on the leader. The three heading drivers are completed by the Centre Steering Wheel: Paul Lanchere. It is certain that this is his 2nd season within the discipline but he pocketed two podiums at Motorland Aragon through determination!

At eleven points from the provisional podium, Paul-Loup Chatin (Poitou-Charentes Steering Wheel) and Jean-Baptiste Lahaye (Limousin Steering Wheel) are equal in points and will have at heart to dig a certain distance between themselves in Belgium. Another fight will also be taking place between Mathieu Jaminet (Lorraine-Alsace Steering Wheel) and Pierre Sancinéna (Normandie Steering Wheel), equally placed, at one unit from the previous duo. Awaited because of his status of second year participant, first pole man of the season, Franck Matelli (Corsican Steering Wheel) was lucky to be able to get himself out of the gravel pit during the first race in order to place himself in 5th position. He could have hoped better the next day but his car abandoned him in the first lap. With two points less on his counter, Alexandre Mantovani (Ile-de-France and ACO-AutoHebdo Steering Wheel) has without doubt proved his competitiveness! He is a serious opponent who sincerely hopes to come back in points in Belgium.

Behind him, Tristan Papavoine (Bourgogne Franche-Comté Steering Wheel), Sébastien Le Bras (Bretagne-Pays de la Loire Steering Wheel) and Nicolas De Moura (Auvergne Steering Wheel) will be quarrelling over the best place. Who will take advantage? The verdict will fall at the end of the two Belgian races. For the eight other drivers: Valentin Simonet (New-Caledonian Steering Wheel), the French-Swiss Maxime Raphoz (Rhône-Alpes Steering Wheel), Alexandre Jouannem-Sivan (Nord-Picardie Steering Wheel), Alexandre Anezo (Languedoc-Roussillon Steering Wheel), Maxime Bourcet, the Moroccan Hamza El Fatouaki and the two girls Marie Baus-Coppens (Champagne-Ardenne Steering Wheel) and the Italian Giada de Zen, the objective will be to leave Spa with the opening of their counter of points.

SCHEDULE
Friday 30th April
Free Tests at 12.25pm & 4.55pm
Saturday 1st May
Qualifying Session at 11am
Race 1 at 4.35pm
Sunday 2nd May
Race 2 at 10.50am
> Live Timing : http://intranetwsr.alkamelsystems.com/

> Possibility of engagement to one race for a total budget of 11 960 Euros VAT inc. (10 000 VAT exc.) that includes the participation to one meeting with one test session beforehand.

> In view for the recruitment of drivers for the 2011 F4 Eurocup 1.6 season, the next selections will take place in Le Mans on 12th May and on 1st October 2010.
Information: +33 2 43 43 61 00 - info@asacad.com - www.autosportacademy.com