Recent News

Will Palmer re-takes Formula Renault Championship lead with majestic Monaco display

Will Palmer reclaimed the Formula Renault Eurocup championship lead on the streets of Monaco this weekend, with an exemplary race win, followed by a third-place finish, in front of a bumper Grand Prix crowd.

Driving for R-ace GP, Will was a factor at the sharp end all-weekend-long, and he immediately signalled his status as one of the favourites for the weekend by setting the fastest time in his group of the split-session qualifying session. This was enough to secure pole position for Saturday's opening race, with a front row berth for Sunday's second outing also guaranteed.

The BRDC Superstar immediately made good on his promising pace in the first 25-minute opener, cleanly launching away from the front of the grid as the pack streamed through Sainte Devote and up the hill at Beau Rivage for the first time.

Will remained firmly in control of the principality's streets in Saturday's first race, calmly withstanding any pressure from the chasing Sacha Fenestraz to remain in the lead. Will was totally unflustered in the lead, and set several extremely quick lap-times to reinforce his dominance in the encounter.

Ultimately, it was a fine victory for the Sussex driver as he completed a consummate victory on the legendary street circuit, winning by more than one-and-a-half seconds from Fenestraz, with Belgian team-mate Max Defourny completing the podium.

Will Palmer followed up his victory with third place in the second race, after starting second and initially making a very good start. Will slotted comfortably behind pole-sitter Fenestraz as the field rocketed around the opening lap until he reached the Swimming Pool chicane where he suffered a little moment. Will recovered from this with some stylish car control and, despite losing ground to Robert Shwartzman, immediately turned his attention to defending from another pursuer; Dan Ticktum.

Will was able to coolly hold off Ticktum's approach from behind, before setting about pulling away with a little more breathing space.

From there, the 20-year-old was able to comfortably run in third position until the race was effectively brought to an early halt by a late safety-car deployment. The final laps were completed in formation, ensuring Will finished on the podium for a second straight day.

As a result of his strong showing in Monaco, the Sussex driver has re-taken the championship lead from Shwartzman, overturning a one-point deficit heading into the weekend to lead by nine points.

Will returns to Formula Renault Eurocup action at the Hungaroring near Budapest, another established Formula One venue, on 1-2 July.

Race one result

1, W Palmer, R-ace GP, 18 laps
2, S Fenestraz, Josef Kaufmann, +1.644s
3, M Defourny, R-ace GP, +2.658s
4, R Shwartzman, R-ace GP, +4.053s
5, D Ticktum, Arden, +9.444s
6, A Peroni, Fortec, +11.273s
7, G Aubry, Tech 1, +11.990s
8, R Verschoor, MP, +16.419s
9, A Korneev, Fortec, +18.464s
10, A Vartanyan, JD Motorsport, +19.220s

Race two result

1, S Fenestraz, Josef Kaufmann, 17 laps
2, R Shwartzman, R-ace GP, +0.687s
3, W Palmer, R-ace GP, +1.222s
4, M Defourny, R-ace GP, +1.687s
5, D Ticktum, Arden, +2.046s
6, A Peroni, Fortec, +2.422s
7, G Aubry, Tech 1, +3.190s
8, R Verschoor, MP, +3.942s
9, A Vartanyan, JD Motorsport, +4.650s
10, A Korneev, Fortec, +5.998s

More to follow. 

Latest Results

Latest Eurocup Standings