FR2.0: Arthur Pic eager for first race

As the season kick-off looms large, the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 drivers impatiently await the first race so they can measure up to their rivals in the 2010 line-up in race conditions. For now, it’s Arthur Pic (SG Formula) who is getting things in the right order, and he comes away from these collective testing sessions at Motorland Aragón with the best performance over the two days. A very consistent Giovanni Venturini (Epsilon Euskadi) lies second and Luciano Bacheta (Interwetten) third.

The last two days of collective testing at the Motorland Aragón track – the very circuit where the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 season will get underway in mid-April – felt like a full dress rehearsal. Wednesday morning saw drivers take to the track bright and early.

Gionvanni Venturini drove the first fast lap. For most of the session, the 18 year old Italian, who finished third in the Italian Formula Renault 2.0 championship and runner-up in Swiss Formula Renault 2.0 last year, fought it out with Luciano Bacheta for first place. Then it was the turn of Arthur Pic and then Genis Olivé (Epsilon Euskadi) to switch on the pace. At mid-session, Genis Olivé moved up to first with a 1’58’’112 lap. But at the end of the morning, Luciano Bacheta got below the 1’58 mark, finishing the morning session with the best time of 1’57’’989.

The drivers upped the pace again in the second session. Traffic was quiet during the early part of the afternoon, before the teams launched some serious development work, releasing drivers to run a series of long stints. Towards the end of the day, the new tires came on and MP Motorsport drivers Daniel de Jong and Karl Oscar Liiv moved to the top of the timing charts. The pecking order incessantly as the chequered flag approached. In the end it was Dutchman Daniel de Jong who pulled out the best performance of the day, in 1’57’’591.

On Thursday morning, when the drivers met at the circuit, the track was still wet following overnight storms in the Aragon region. But no sooner than the track had dried, the drivers were on the pace again. Gionvanni Venturini was first to put in a quick run, lapping in 1’57’’797. Luciano Bacheta, Daniel de Jong, Aaro Vaino (SG Formula) and Miki Weckstrom (Koiranen Bros Motorsport) all bettered his time, but Venturini took over the leadership again at mid-session with a time of 1’57’’151. Having donned new rubber, moments later he went faster again with 1’56’’733. Meanwhile Italian driver Genis Olivé and Luciano Bacheta battled for second place. Right at the end of the session, however, it was Arthur Pic who upset the pecking order, with a lap time of 1’56’’551. Having taken control, the Frenchman finished this morning ahead of Giovanni Venturini, Genis Olivé, Aaro Vainio and Luciano Bacheta.

The last session started sedately again, with drivers staying out on track for long runs. Giovanni Venturini was pace setter. The Italian put in a series of quicker and quicker laps to finish with the fastest time of the afternoon, 1’56’’574. This left Arthur Pic in possession of the best performance of the day. By finishing ahead of Giovanni Venturini, Luciano Bacheta and Aaro Vaino, the SG Formula driver made sure it would be his name on people’s lips as we head towards the season kick-off in mid-April.

Quote, unquote:

Arthur Pic: “We did a lot of tests over the two days, to get everything in order before the first race. When we fitted fresh tires then new tires, things happened right. We were a long way from here back in Valencia during the first testing sessions, but today we’re ready. Now I can’t wait for the season to start."

Giovanni Venturini: “I still have quite a few things to understand, because the car surprises me sometimes. For instance, here, I didn’t manage to go a lot faster with new tires than with the fresh tires. Collective testing has given us chance to gauge each other. The line-up is pretty even, and I’m going for the title!”

Daniel de Jong: “Last year, I did a lot of learning. This year, with the new car, I think it was important to stay in the same team and we have got a good chance. Our performance level is good and I’m comfortable with the New Formula Renault 2.0”.