Alex Peroni (Fortec) brought R-ace GP’s 2017 invincibility to an end. After obtaining his first pole position this morning, the Australian scored his maiden victory in the Eurocup FR 2.0 on the streets of Pau ahead of Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP), who now leads in the general classification. Renault Sport Academy driver Max Fewtrell (Tech 1 Racing) took his fourth success in the rookie category this season.

The pole and track record for Peroni

Under bright blue skies, Alex Peroni dominated the first qualifying group with a time of 1:12.842. In the other group, briefly interrupted when Daniel Ticktum (Arden Motorsport) went off, Sacha Fenestraz was quickest in 1:12.901.

With the new Pau track record in the Formula Renault Eurocup, Alex Peroni started from pole ahead of Sacha Fenestraz, Robert Shwartzman, Will Palmer (R-ace GP) and rookies Max Fewtrell and Richard Verschoor (Manor MP Motorsport).

Peroni is first Australian race winner since Ricciardo

At the start, Sacha Fenestraz pulled even with Alex Peroni. The Australian held his ground to maintain the lead ahead of the Frenchman, Robert Shwartzman, Will Palmer and Max Fewtrell at the end of the opening lap that claimed Presley Martono (Mark Burdett Motorsport) and Rodrigo Pflucker (AVF by Adrián Vallés).

Alex Peroni and Sacha Fenestraz swapped fastest race lap, but the French driver couldn’t find an opening and even saw Robert Shwartzman close ground.  Further back, Neil Verhagen (MP Motorsport) took advantage of the duel between Yifei Ye (Josef Kaufmann Racing) and Henrique Chaves (AVF by Adrián Vallés) to get by both.

Despite the traffic and the return of his pursuer, Alex Peroni held his ground to take the win ahead of Sacha Fenestraz and Robert Shwartzman. The SMP Racing driver now leads team mate Will Palmer, fourth, in the general classification. Max Fewtrell resisted Max Defourny (R-ace GP) to finish fifth. Gabriel Aubry (Tech 1 Racing) was next, followed by Red Bull Junior Team drivers Richard Verschoor and Neil Verhagen. Yifei Ye was the final points scorer.

The best lap of the race was set by Shwartzman – 1:14.490.

Results: QUAL 2 | RACE 2 | DRIVERS CHAMP | TEAMS CHAMP

Alex Peroni (Fortec Motorsports): “It is a very physical circuit and Sacha pushed me to the limit. I chose the centre of the track for the start, but I locked up the wheels at turn one. Sacha got alongside me and it was a drag race for the lead before the yellow line ahead of Pont Oscar. It was tight, but I managed to keep the lead. I then had to maintain the pace to win the race. It is a special feeling. We know now that we can win. This will give us additional confidence heading to Monaco next week.”

Sacha Fenestraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing): “Finally back on the podium! I didn’t get a very good start. I had a lot of wheel spin, but Alex locked up his wheels and went a little wide at turn one. I dove to the inside to get alongside. We were so close to each other that I went on the sidewalk, but I didn’t find an opening before the yellow line. It was still a good race. Thanks to the traffic, I could close the gap and apply pressure, but there were no overtaking possibilities. Last year, I had a great race in Monaco. We have to keep working to get the first win of the season and catch up to the leaders!”

Robert Shwartzman (R-ace GP): “I got a good start to protect third place from Will Palmer. I was sliding a lot early in the race and the two leaders pulled away from me. Overall, the race was somewhat monotone and straightforward, but this podium brings a lot of points for the championship. I am thrilled to now be leading the general classification before heading to Monaco. The goal will be the same as it was at Pau; get the best result possible in qualifying before getting a good start. I am full of confidence and hope to be able to battle for the win.”

Max Fewtrell (Tech 1 Racing): “At the start, I was able to pull even with Will Palmer and stayed there for the first two corners. After that, I was positioned behind him at Pont Oscar and stayed there for the rest of the race. Max Defourny was pressuring me, but I wasn’t too worried, because it is so hard to pass at Pau. This weekend, I think the pace was good considering my amount of experience, but we must continue to make progress to get out first podium at Monaco. I’m really looking forward to it!”

Race 2 replay:

*Results subject to confirmation following technical and sporting verifications.

Original text: Renault Sport