Motorsport: Renault juniors plan future
In fourth place, Kevin Jörg narrowly missed out on his first podium in the GP3 series in Abu Dhabi. A new adventure began for Louis Delétraz in GP2 - on three wheels. The two Renault sponsored drivers have started their preparations for 2017. In February, Kevin Jörg (20) and Louis Delétraz (19) were presented at the 2016 Formula 1 [...]
In February, Kevin Jörg (20) and Louis Delétraz (19) were presented as two of the four juniors of the revived Renault Sport Academy at the 2016 Formula 1 presentation in Paris. The sporting paths of the two Swiss drivers then diverged. The driver from St. Gallen entered GP3 with the new Dallara V6 (400 hp), while the driver from Geneva entered Formula 3.5 V8 with 530 hp racing cars from the previous Renault World Series. In Abu Dhabi, last year's Formula Renault 2.0 team-mates competed in the same event for the first time in 13 months.
Jörg was not happy with the French Renault partner team DAMS in GP3, the problems were similar to those of Sauber in Formula 1: they could not get the Pirelli tires into an optimal operating window. "Although DAMS is a very successful team, it had no experience in GP3. I also made mistakes, but the main reason was that we only slowly understood the tires in the second half of the season," says Jörg, explaining the ongoing dry spell.
Last weekend, a lot of things fell into place and the man from eastern Switzerland scored points in both races, finishing fourth and eighth. He has now put the messed-up season behind him and is focusing his energy on the future. Jörg will remain in Abu Dhabi to complete GP3 test drives with another team on December 1st and 2nd. On December 7, Jörg will then test again in the Formula 3.5 V8 before making a decision about his sporting future together with those around him.
Louis Delétraz in the forecourt of Formula 1
It has already begun for Louis Delétraz in Abu Dhabi. He competed in the GP2 and cut a fine figure. After losing a wheel without an accident in the first race, he finished in 17th place on Sunday. This is something to build on. Although a year younger than Kevin Jörg, he seems to be a step ahead of him again. After finishing second overall in Formula 3.5 V8, Delétraz is planning a full season in the most powerful racing car class below Formula 1 in 2017.
www.renaultsport.com
Photos: Peter Wyss, Sam Bloxham/GP3 Series
