N-EU 2.0: Zandvoort rounds 7, 8 preview

Will the Dutch be able to exploit their home circuit to their advantage?

ZANDVOORT - The competitors of the Northern European Cup Formula Renault 2.0 cannot rest for long after their race on the Nürburgring (Germany) last weekend. The next two races are scheduled for this coming week as ftom 3 to 5 June, Circuit Park Zandvoort (NL) will be the host during the traditional Pentecost races for the seventh and eighth race of the season of this international championship full of young, talented drivers. After the victories of Team Motopark Oschersleben in the Eifel area in Germany, Filipe Albuquerque (POR/Motopark Academy) has taken the lead in the championship from Xavier Maassen (NED/JD Motorsport). The Portuguese now has a total of 113 points. Chris van der Drift (NZL/JD Motorsport) won his second race this weekend and stand at 107 points, while his teammate Maassen fell back to the third place with 101 points.

Much is expected from the Dutch on their home circuit in Zandvoort. Maassen hopes to fully exploit his home race and will attempt to take the lead from Albuquerque again. Mervyn Kool (NED/AR Motorsport) wants to forget his disappointing performance in Germany with a good race at Zandvoort. The races of the Northern European Cup Formula Renault 2.0 are characterized by excitement and great duels. With five different winners (Filipe Albuquerque, Chris van der Drift 2x, Xavier Maassen, Mervyn Kool and Sebastien Buemi) in six races, the championship has proven to be very competitive.

The Dutch can expect most competition from Albuquerque. The Portuguese team captain of Motopark Academy is the man to beat. His new teammate Sebastian Buemi (CH/Motopark Academy), who crowned his debut last weekend with a victory, is also a serious candidate for a victory. The other candidates for a podium finish are Sergey Afanasiev (RUS/Lukoil Racing), Atte Mustonen and Johnny Cecotto junior (both Koiranen Bros.). Duarte Felix da Costa should not be underestimated either. The Portuguese driver of AR Motorsport has shown continuous improvements in the Formula Renault 2.0 and is always good for a surprise.

NEC Formule Renault 2.0 after 6 of 16 races:
1. Filipe Albuquerque (POR) 113 points, 2. Chris van der Drift (NZL) 107 points, 3. Xavier Maassen (NED) 101 points, 4. Mervyn Kool (NED) 89 points, 5. John Edwards (USA) 88 points, 6. Atte Mustonen (FIN) 80 points, 7. Johnny Cecotto (VEN) 65 points, 8. Brendon Hartley (NZL) 59 points, 9. Duarte Felix da Costa (POR) 56 points, 10. Kasper Andersen (DEN) 54 points.

-www.renault-sport.de