Formula Renault 3.5 Series: who will stop Oliver Rowland and Matthieu Vaxiviere?

The 100% Renault meeting returns to the British circuit and the fans will be treated to a programme featuring eight races and several on track activities, including the Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show and Renault Sport Show. Tickets are available on www.worldseriesbyrenault.com.

Venue for the first Grand Prix in the history of the Formula 1 World Championship, the legendary Silverstone circuit has been changed over the decades but it has retained its character. It offers the drivers of the three Renault categories one of the fastest challenges of the season.

The Infiniti Red Bull Racing F1 Show, also making its return to the Northamptonshire circuit, will feature Antonio Felix da Costa and Oliver Rowland. The British driver’s participation is his reward as mid-season leader in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series. The Renault Sport Show and collector parades will complete the list of on-track activities.

The public can take in the always impressive Renault Sport Show or stroll the pit lane and paddock to meet the stars of tomorrow. Over at the Renault Village, visitors can try out the Renault Kadjar, Twizy and Twingo and check out the Twin’Run, Captur and Renault Dézir Concept cars.

Simulators, the pit stop challenge, bouncy castle and road safety stand will be among the many activities on offer, as will the Freestyl’air show and Formula E show car.

As the second half of the season gets underway, two drivers are in a league of their own. Leader, Oliver Rowland (Fortec Motorsports) will race at home. The Englishman wants to continue his form which has resulted in three wins and two additional podium finishes in the last five races. Winner on three occasions in 2015, Lotus F1 Team Junior driver Matthieu Vaxiviere (Lotus) will try to reduce his 26-point deficit to the Racing Steps Foundation protégé.

A bit further back in the standings after his mixed results in Austria, Jazeman Jaafar (Fortec Motorsports) wants to bounce back even more so as his third place position is now under threat from Dean Stoneman (DAMS). The best placed rookie and Red Bull Junior Team driver would like nothing more than to take his maiden win in front of family and friends to make the break from his team mate and member of the McLaren Young Driver Development Programme Nyck de Vries (DAMS) and Tom Dillmann (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin).

For their part, Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), Alfonso Celis (AVF), Beitske Visser (AVF) and Bruno Bonifacio (International Draco Racing) will be keen to add to their point tallies. Absent in Austria, Philopaz Armand (Pons Racing) will make his return alongside the drive standing in for Roberto Merhi, who will be racing in Formula 1 at Monza.

All the races from the weekend will be broadcast live on the Eurosport Player. The Formula Renault 3.5 Series will be televised live on Eurosport 2 and Eurosport 2 France. After the delayed showing of race 1, Eurosport 2 UK will air race 2 live. The Eurosport networks will broadcast the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 on a delayed basis, as will Motors TV for the Renault Sport Trophy.

Jean-Pascal Dauce, Renault Sport Technologies Director of Competition said: “Like the competitors, we all look forward to returning to the circuit following this long summer break.

“September will be extremely intense with three World Series by Renault meetings. The teams, the drivers and we are thrilled to return to action at Silverstone, a name that resounds in the hearts of all motor racing enthusiasts.

“With its string of high-speed corners and its layout that rewards brave and daring drivers, the races in the three categories promise to be exciting and a number of competitors will be racing on their home track.

“With weather that can be capricious, all the elements are coming together for a perfect start to the second half of the season that promises to be thrilling.”

Formula Renault 3.5 Series

Qualifying 1: K. Magnussen (DEN) 1:57.260.

Race 1: 1. J. Bianchi (FRA) – 2. R. Frijns (NED) – 3. N. Melker (NED)

Qualifying 2: J. Bianchi (FRA) 1:42.638.

Race 2: 1. S. Bird (GBR) – 2. A. F. da Costa (POR) – 3. J. Bianchi (FRA)

Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 (2011)

Qualifying 1: C. Sainz (ESP) 1:58.705.

Race 1: 1. R. Frijns (NED) – 2. A. Riberas (ESP) – 3. W. Stevens (GBR)

Qualifying 2: A. Lynn (GBR) 1:58.964.

Race 2: 1. R. Frijns (NED) – 2. A. Lynn (GBR) – 3. P. L. Chatin (FRA)