Fastest during Friday practice, Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP) kept the momentum going in taking the pole, then the win in race one of the Formula Renault Eurocup on the streets of Pau. The SMP Racing protégé was followed to the flag by his team mate Max Defourny (R-ace GP) and Gabriel Aubry (Tech 1 Racing). Renault Sport Academy driver Max Fewtrell (Tech 1 Racing) won in the rookie class and was seventh overall. With the win Robert Shwartzman is now just two points behind leader Will Palmer (R-ace GP), who finished fourth today.
Robert Shwartzman lined-up on the grid ahead of Max Defourny, Gabriel Aubry, Will Palmer, Australian driver Alex Peroni (Fortec Motorsports) and Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing).
When the lights went out, Shwartzman maintained the lead while Defourny battled with Aubry. The French driver was then surprised by Will Palmer at Foch before the Brit gave the position back.
The front-runners managed to avoid the tricky spots of the Pau circuit, but on lap three Jean-Baptiste Simmenauer (JD Motorsport) was not as fortunate. Ghislain Cordeel (Arden Motorsport), Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés) and Sun Yue Yang (JD Motorsport) also got caught out in the following laps.
Shwartzman was in a league of his, taking his third success of the season in front of Max Defourny. Gabriel Aubry held off Will Palmer and Alex Peroni to take third place. Sacha Fenestraz was sixth, ahead of rookies Max Fewtrell, Yifei Ye, Raúl Guzmán (R-ace GP) and Red Bull Junior Team driver, Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport).
After Peroni Thomas Maxwell was the next best of the Australian drivers in 15th place with Luis Leeds in 18th one sport ahead of Zane Goddard.
“This is just my second race on a street circuit and I was a bit on the backfoot after my first go in Monaco. So it is a special feeling to have won today! Qualifying was very tight, and I must thank the team because the car was excellent and the pace was perfect. The race itself was somewhat monotone like is often the case on this kind of track, but I had to stay sharp as the track was quite slippery in the last laps. I am now just two points behind Will. Tomorrow, I hope to do just as good a job to take the lead in the championship.” – Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP)
The final race of the Pau weekend will be run Monday morning Australian Eastern Time at 1:00 AM.
With: Formula Renault Media
