Formula Renault

EU 2.0: Series Silverstone race two report

One race with two winners! The crowd watched with baited breath when for fifteen laps, Valtteri Bottas (Motopark Academy) and Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) matched each other pound for pound. In the final lap, the Australian saw his chance for ...

Published: Jun 9, 2008, 2:19 AM

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One race with two winners!

The crowd watched with baited breath when for fifteen laps, Valtteri Bottas (Motopark Academy) and Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) matched each other pound for pound. In the final lap, the Australian saw his chance for victory in a truly memorable battle. In the end, Valtteri Bottas finished second behind Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula).

At a sunny Silverstone, Valtteri Bottas took full advantage of his pole position followed Andrea Caldarelli, Daniel Ricciardo, Michele Faccin (Jenzer Motorsport) and Alex Morgan (Fortec Competition). Daniel Ricciardo overtook his team-mate before the end of the lap one to snatch second place.

Bottas and Ricciardo quickly made a break from the rest of the field led by Caldarelli. The Italian led a group which included Michele Faccin, Alex Morgan, Tobias Hegewald (Motopark Academy), Roberto Merhi (Epsilon Euskadi), Jean-Eric Vergne (SG Drivers Project) and Mathieu Arzeno (Epsilon Sport).

An exciting tussle was developing between Bottas and Ricciardo. The Australian, who set the fastest lap of the race, tried hard to intimidate his rival but the Finn remained unflustered. The racing was spectacular and the two drivers were giving nothing away, taking every section at the limit.

Further back, Andrea Caldarelli was doing an equally good job of defending his third place against challenger Michele Faccin. The positions in the main field changed when Alex Morgan gave away fifth place after spinning his car.

The action was intense at all levels, especially between Juan-Pablo Garcia (Team Motopark), Nelson Lukes (SG Formula), Nathanael Berthon (Boutsen Energy Racing) and Juan Jacobo (Hitech Junior Team) battling for thirty-first position. The four men changed positions regularly. Having started from last place, Dean Smith (Fortec Motorsport) drove impressively, clawing his way back into sixteenth place.

Out in front everything was still to play for. With just two laps to go, Daniel Ricciardo drew alongside Bottas. In a legendary final lap, Ricciardo managed to take the advantage. The Australian finally took first position ahead of Valtteri Bottas, who had led the race from the start, and Andrea Caldarelli. Thanks to his second win in four races, Daniel Ricciardo increases his lead over Valtteri Bottas and Andrea Caldarelli in the overall standings of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0.

Daniel Ricciardo: "I succeeded in taking second position before the end of lap one, that was my objective. I caught up with Valtteri Bottas, after that, it was unbelievable. I pushed as hard as possible, but he was driving perfectly, not making the slightest mistake. In the two final laps, I got even closer. I held my breath for those two laps! Finally I found an opening in the last section. It was a fight well and truly. I'm extremely happy."

Valtteri Bottas: "I could feel the pressure from Daniel all the way through the race. I focused on my objective so I wouldn't make any mistakes. On the last lap, the last thing I wanted was a collision because I know I need points. It was very sportsman like between us. I'm a little disappointed, of course, but at the end of the day I think I can be satisfied with my weekend."

Andrea Caldarelli: "It's important to score championship points. That's important to remember. But you need to work hard to stay on the pace with the leaders."

-credit: wsbyrenault.com

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