Europcup Formula Renault 2.0 – Mixed feelings for AVF at Paul Ricard

It has been a two-faced weekend for AVF at Circuit Paul Ricard. In the fifth round of the 2016 Europcup Formula Renault 2.0, Harrison Scott and the team led by Adrián Vallés dominated the Saturday action with the British racer scoring a stunning pole position and taking a clean win in race 2 which enabled him to climb up to the second spot in standings.

On Sunday, Scott suffered from traffic issues that jeopardized his chances to fight for pole. As a consequence, he was forced to start the race from the fifth spot in row 3. After a great start, he was fighting back to what could have been a podium finish when he spun on lap 1. At the end of the day, he was able to salvage a P9 finish.

Driving the team’s second Tatuus racecar, Henrique Chaves faced an up-and-down weekend. After ending up 12th in race 1, he repeated the same result on Sunday.

Harrison Scott – Q1 1st;R1 1st; Q2 5th; R2 9th

“We had a big high on Saturday claiming pole position and also going on to win the race with a great effort, the car was perfect and the result was fantastic for myself and for the team. On Sunday the car was really good again but I just couldn’t piece it up together as I got caught in traffic. That put me down to P5, but virtually only half a tenth from P2 which I think was easily possible. I got up to P4 in the opening lap, I was just pushing really hard to try to get a podium position but I lost the rear in the last sector and I spun. I managed to keep it going and recovered a ninth place. I am obviously disappointed with the result, it should have been a lot better”.

Henrique Chaves – Q1 13th; R1 12th; Q2 16th; R2 17th

“After the summer break I didn’t get up the speed and I wasn’t on the pace, at least not enough to take some points. After a decent qualifying 1, an engine issue prevented me from fighting for the points. Sunday qualifying was tough, I set my best time at my last attempt, but it was not enough. I started well in race 2 gaining 5 positions, but the set-up we chose compromised the pace in the end. It wasn’t the best week-end but we can work in the NEC to improve”.