PODIUM FINISH FOR QUAIFE-HOBBS IN NÜRBURGRING

Submitted by Adrian on Wed, 23/09/2009 - 15:48

20/09/2009

Adrian Quaife-Hobbs took another podium finish in the Formula Renault 2.0 North European Cup in the second of two races at the Nürburgring this weekend to jump to third in the points standings. The weekend also featured the penultimate rounds of the Eurocup in which Adrian drove a storming opening round from 12th to finish fourth to keep him in contention for fourth in the championship.

The 18 year-old kicked off the weekend with a cracking pace in free practice, second and third quickest in the two 40 minute Eurocup sessions. That ensured he would qualify through to the Superpole shootout in which he wound up sixth quickest.

The opening round of the Eurocup however, didn't allow the BRDC Rising Star to capitalise on his grid position, as an overheating clutch problem on the line dropped him down the order, entering the first corner in 12th. A storming drive through the field allowed the former T-Cars champion to carve his way up the order, finishing fourth at the end.

There were high hopes of race two producing a podium finish until an incident at the first corner forced Adrian wide and off onto the gravel. Another strong drive over the course of the race allowed Adrian to make up several places but some defensive driving from several drivers prevented him from finishing higher than ninth.

The North European Cup races had Adrian struggle with an intermittent problem over the remaining three laps while lying fifth. The resultant problems dropped him to seventh but race two saw a return to form that netted victory earlier in the year.

A great start had Adrian take the immediate lead ahead of Antonio Felix da Costa and for five laps, including a three lap safety car period, he held the championship leader at bay. However on lap six the experienced da Costa got a better line at the chicane and found a way past. Soon after Kevin Korjus passed Adrian for second, although he quickly retook the place. The short delay allowed da Costa to pull away slightly and prevented Adrian from mounting a serious challenge to retake the lead.

“It was a weekend of mixed fortunes really. We set some quick times in practice and qualifying and in the Eurocup race it was great to fight back from 12th to fourth and of course another podium in the NEC has improved my position in the points standings.

“Hopefully we can return to the final rounds of both championships and finish the season with victory.”

The final round of the North European Cup at Spa takes place over the weekend of 3/4 October with the Eurocup final rounds at Motorland three weeks later on 25 October.

North European Cup race one results - 13 laps

1. Kevin Magnussen Motopark Academy 25:59.012

2. Kuba Giermaziak Motopark Academy 26:10.022

3. Daniel De Jong MP Motorsport 26:15.417

4. Luis Derani Motopark Academy 26:15.628

5. Toomas Heikkinen Koiranen bros. 26:20.136

6. Antonio Felix Da Costa Motopark Academy 26:21.592

7. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Motopark Academy 26:25.617

North European Cup race two results - 11 laps

1. Antonio Felix Da Costa Motopark Academy 25:00.928

2. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Motopark Academy 25:06.131

3. Bart Hylkema Motopark Academy 25:10.200