The Frenchman was followed to the chequered flag by rookies Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport) and Yifei Ye (Josef Kaufmann Racing), present on the podium for the first time. In the Formula Renault Eurocup general classification, Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP) - eighth today – now has a six point lead from Sacha Fenestraz and is ten ahead of Will Palmer (R-ace GP).

Yesterday afternoon, Sacha Fenestra won the pole with a lap time of 1:54741. The French driver started Sunday morning ahead of Red Bull Junior Team driver Daniel Ticktum, Yifei Ye, Robert Shwartzman and Max Defourny (R-ace GP).

Starting grid

Fenestraz wins his duel with Ticktum

On a soaked track, the opening three laps were run behind the safety car. When the action began, Sacha Fenestraz held on to the lead in front of Daniel Ticktum and Yifei Ye. Behind them, Max Defourny got the better of Robert Shwartzman, but spun before another safety car intervention caused by an incident involving Alexander Vartanyan (JD Motorsport) and Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés).

At the re-start, Daniel Ticktum moved to the inside to overtake Sacha Fenestraz, but the Frenchman crossed back to definitively hold on to the lead. At the same time, Robert Shwartzman wrestled third place away from Yifei Ye before going straight off at turn one on the last lap.

Sacha Fenestraz took the chequered flag ahead of Daniel Ticktum and Yifei Ye. Gabriel Aubry (Tech 1 Racing) and Will Palmer completed the top five. Max Defourny and Renault Sport Academy driver Max Fewtrell (Tech 1 Racing) were next; followed by Robert Shwartzman, Thomas Randle (AVF by Adrián Vallés) and Luis Leeds (Josef Kaufmann Racing)

Race - Drivers Classification - Teams Classification

Quote

Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing): “I like it when the conditions force you to take more risks. It was a bit of Tokyo Drift everywhere! I had a small moment before the re-start on lap eight. Daniel got alongside of me but he locked up a wheel and I was able to cross back and pull away. It’s been a positive weekend. For sure, it is only my second victory of the season, but I’ve been consistent at all of the meetings. I am back to second place in the general classification just behind Robert Shwartzman. It is still wide-open and consistency will be the key. It is up to us to keep it going.”

Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport): “As is often the case in single-seaters, the best opportunities are at the start or the re-starts. I knew I could go for it without taking too many risks. Unfortunately, I slightly locked up a wheel and I couldn’t keep Sacha under control. Then I drove over a white line at T8 and Sacha got away. Our pace was good for being a first time in the rain at the Nürburgring. We already saw at the Hungaroring that we do very well in these conditions. The next objective is to return to the podium at the Red Bull Ring. Our testing at this circuit has given me confidence to finish on a high note this series of ring tracks that are among my favourite tracks on the calendar.”

Yifei Ye (Josef Kaufmann Racing): “The Formula Renault Eurocup is a very competitive category. We were unlucky at the start of the season, but we kept our heads down to progress in all areas. We had excellent pace in Budapest, but I made too many mistakes to be in contention for a podium finish. Today it all came together even though I am not a fan of wet conditions in contrast to Sacha and Daniel. I focused on my race and I successfully managed the pressure from the cars behind me, while also recuperating third place. I hope to keep this momentum going next week in Austria.”

*Results subject to confirmation following technical and sporting verifications.