PIASTRI RETURNS TO TOP OF STANDINGS ADTER BELGIUM VICTORY

PRESS RELEASE/Oscar Piastri – photo: supplied

Australian racer Oscar Piastri returned to the top of the Formula Renault Eurocup championship standings after taking a strong victory at Spa-Francorchamps.
 
The Melbourne-native started third on the grid for race one of the weekend but lined up a move for first place on the opening lap, pulling out a lead of almost two seconds before a Safety Car eroded his advantage.
 
However, a strong first lap on the restart helped the R-ace GP driver to once again pull a gap on his rivals to secure his third victory of the season.
 
Oscar started eighth for race two, after his wet tyres blistered on a drying track in qualifying, but he quickly proved why he is a front-runner in the championship as he started making his way up the order.
 
In the closing stages the 18-year old overtook title rival Victor Martins, before sweeping into third place on the final lap with a good move on Frederico Malvestiti. Unfortunately, the Italian then spun, eliminating himself, Martins, and fellow title hopeful Alexander Smolyar in a spectacular incident.
 
There was further drama though, as the red flag was shown as the leaders approached the final corner of the race, meaning the contest was rolled back one lap, classifying Oscar in fourth position.
 
Despite the swing in championship points, Oscar still heads the standings with five of the ten rounds of the 2019 season complete. He will be back on track in four weeks’ time as the series travels to the Nürburgring in Germany (August 30 – September 1).

“The first qualifying session was unlucky because I went out first and pushed hard in case the rain got heavier so I was on top of the times, but unfortunately it dried out so people who waited had fresher tyres at the end and it was too late to try slicks,” said Piastri.
 
“In second qualifying I wasn’t completely happy with the car but third was a good result. Being on pole here isn’t that important and we knew we had a shot of taking the win.
 
“Our pace was the best it had been all year, so I managed to control race one to the finish. I had to push as hard as I could on the first lap, and then after the Safety Car, to get out of the slipstream, then manage the tyres and the car to the end.
 
“With the win I knew I had a good result, so I didn’t have to try and go for a miracle in race two. I saw Martins was dropping back and I wanted to get in front of him as we’re fighting for the championship.
 
“I didn’t quite have the car underneath me though and being in the pack I didn’t have much front grip. I saw Martins run wide in turn one, so I used the slipstream to get past him.

“I did the same on the last lap though Mavlestiti made life a bit more difficult but outbraked himself. I was almost completely in front when I hit the brakes, but he braked extremely late. I knew he would run wide and I got the switchback.
 
“Considering I started eighth and Victor started second it was a good result to finish in front of him. I’m a bit disappointed to lose third place, but that’s how it goes and we’re still where we want to be in the standings.”

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