EU 2.0: Series Hockenheimring preview

Kevin Korjus's lead fragile

Unstoppable at the start of the season, Korainen Bros Motorsport's Kevin Korjus seemed to lose his spark over the last few races, allowing Tech 1 Racing's Arthur Pic and Interwetten.com's Luciano Bacheta to catch up with him. The drivers in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 have taken advantage of the two-month summer break to come back fresh and more determined than ever at Hockenheim, the ideal chance to prepare for season's final straight which will take the drivers to Barcelona via Silverstone.

With six races left to run in this year's Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0, and with the 2010 championship is far from over, it looks certain that the title will be a straight fight between Kevin Korjus, Arthur Pic and Luciano Bacheta. Nevertheless, mathematically at least, Epsilon Euskadi's Giovanni Venturini and teammate Genis Olivé, along with Tech 1 Racing's Aaro Vainio, still have everything to play for.

Back in April and May one name, Kevin Korjus, resonated through the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 camp. Having celebrated a double win at Motorland Aragon and a two-one at Spa-Francorchamps, the Estonian started the season on a high, while other title hopefuls failed to make a serious impression. However, things went less well at Brno for the 17-year old who finished in fourth and seventh place. The meeting in the Czech Republic marked the start of a dry spell for Kevin Korjus as, while Magny-Cours saw something of a return to form with a fourth win and a sixth podium of the season, Budapest saw his first retirement of the season.

At about this time, Arthur Pic was enjoying an inverse run of fortune. After a laborious start to the season, with two retirements in four races, the Frenchman enjoyed a faultless weekend in the Czech Republic with two pole positions, two victories and two fastest laps, effortlessly putting him back in the running for the title. Since then, Tech 1 Racing star driver has racked up some fine performances with two second places and a fourth win at Budapest. In second place on the leaderboard, just 11 points adrift from Kevin Korjus, Arthur Pic has high hopes for his weekend in Germany. On a circuit which is brand new to the World Series by Renault, Pic's objective will be to take charge of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 in the run-up to Silverstone.

Meanwhile, in third place, Luciano Bacheta who is currently 21 points behind the leader, still has his card to play. Regular all season, finishing eight of the first ten races in the points, the British driver enjoyed a comfortable summer break after claiming his first Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 win in Race 2 at the Hungaroring. Having earned himself some breathing space, and with nothing to lose, the British driver could be the big surprise at the end of the season.

At the same time it is important not to forget their competitors, all of whom will be hoping to profit from the remaining races of the season and make a name for themselves. 18-year old Giovanni Venturini, and 16-year old Aaro Vainio and Alex Riberas, three rising stars this year, are still hoping to make a splash and win races before the end of the season, especially since the Teams championship, led by Tech 1 Racing, is also far from over. While the French team is currently on top, Korainen Bros, Interwetten.com and Epsilon Euskadi are still in with a chance.

Three Wild Cards from Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup, SL Formula Racing's Kevin Mirocha, Kochanski Motorsport's Jakub Smiechowski and Ludwig Ghidi for Keo Racing managed by Kim Olsen, the first team to order a New Formula Renault 2.0 at the official presentation at the Nurburgring just over a year ago, are all in the cut.

-source: renault sport