Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Daniel Mancinelli takes track record

Preparations for the Formula Renault 2.0 season continued this week with two days of collective testing organized at the Barcelona circuit. Like at Valencia, Daniel Mancinelli (One Racing) came away with the best time, beating the Formula Renault 2.0 lap record for the circuit, into the bargain. The Italian driver finished ahead of Luciano Bacheta (Interwetten) and Arthur Pic (SG Formula).

The Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 line-up met up in Barcelona this week for the second collective test session of the year. On Tuesday morning – and this is pretty unusual here – the 23 drivers witnessed snow falling on the Catalunya circuit. The track was iced up in places and testing was not an option in the morning.

By 2pm, we finally got a green light at the pit exit. Gradually, cars and drivers emerged to check out the Catalunya track aboard New Formula Renault 2.0. Lap times cam down regularly throughout the first hour, with Luciano Bacheta going to the top of the timing screens and setting the time to beat with 1’48’’784. Miki Wekstrom (Koiranen Bros Motorsport) and Alex Riberas (Epsilon Euskadi) took turns to oust Bacheta from first place. Each time, the Italian came back stronger and, with a lap clocked in 1’45’’826, took a serious option on first place.

But in the last few minutes of the day’s testing, the pecking order changed again. Aaro Vainio (SG Formula), age 16, 2009 European Super KF Karting Champion and Super KF World Championship Runner-up, took control in 1’45’’811. The Finnish young gun finally surrendered the best time of the day to Adam Kout (Krenek Motorsport). Lapping in 1’45’’801, the Czech driver finished the first day of collective testing at the top of the timing charts ahead of Aaro Vainio, Luciano Bacheta, Bart Hylkema (Koiranan Bros Motorsport) and Miki Weckstrom.

Weather conditions were more settled on Wednesday, and we were in for some much improved performances over day 1. Aaro Vainio, decidedly on the pace on this track, took the lead early on. But in the end it was Luchiano Bacheta who was first to get near to the previous day’s best times and then go quicker in 1’44’’849. Miguel Otegui (Epsilon Euskadi) continued the work and went above the Interwetten driver, but it was Luciano Bacheta who reacted next. The British driver took the quickest lap of the morning session in 1’44’’566, ahead of Miguel Otegui and Daniel de Jong (MP Motorsport).

Records were to fall in the final session. The teams devoted the beginning of the afternoon to some serious work on setups, before fitting the last fresh tires available. Luciano Bacheta proceeded to beat the Formula Renault 2.0 lap record for the circuit, with a lap time of 1’44’’086. At the end of the session, Daniel Mancinelli, quiet up to that point, went even faster. Lapping in 1’43’’691, he was the only driver to dip below the 1’44 mark and was able to walk away from Barcelona with the best time overall, just as in Valencia. The next collective test sessions will be held in Magny Cours on March 15-16.

Quote, unquote:

Daniel Mancinelli: “We’ve been doing a lot of development work since our first outing in Valencia. We’re moving quickly and we’re improving our understanding of the New Formula Renault 2.0 all the time. The idea is I compete this season for One Racing with a young driver, in order to pass on some experience.”

Luciano Bacheta: “It’s a pity, because I was on the pace all through, but each time someone did a little better. Our car is working perfectly. To go quick, it’s all going to be about precise driving. I’ve definitely got my sights on the title this season.”

Arthur Pic: “I haven’t driven an awful lot, but overall I’m satisfied with my performance. I took a little time to adapt to the New Formula Renault 2.0, but I’ve understood how I need to work with it. This season will be interesting, I’m going to try to win the first driver’s championship for SG Formula in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0”.

Related posts:

1. Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Magny Cours – Collective Testing – Daniel Mancinelli knows the ropes
2. Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup: Motorland Aragón – Collective testing – Daniel de Jong on song
3. Formula Renault Eurocup 2.0: Motorland Aragon – Collective testing – Arthur Pic eager for first race
4. Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 – Brno – Collective testing – Arthur Pic is Ready for Action
5. Formula Renault 2.0 Eurocup Magny-Cours Collective Testing : Bacheta and Venturini, come rain or shine!