The first race of the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup at the Gamma Racing Day at Assen, the Netherlands, delivered a four-way battle at the top and the ninth winner in ten races. The South African Callan O'Keeffe (ART Junior Team) took his first pole position and held three pursuers at length throughout the race.

 

Leader Steijn Schothorst (Manor MP Motorsport) qualified 13th and had to give up after the start with a broken suspension.

 

After three laps behind the safety car O'Keefe defended his lead against Ben Barnicoat (Fortec Motorsports). Immediately behind them were Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing), who improved to third after having started from fifth, and Seb Morris (Fortec Motorsports). The four improved their laptimes, but the running order remained the same.

 

Behind O'Keeffe and Barnicoat it was the Swede Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing) on the third step on the podium. Seb Morris, in fourth place, will start in the second race on Sunday from pole position.

 

Because Lotus junior Callan O'Keefe won his first race in front of Ben Barnicoat, the Briton now leads with eleven points in the championship before Steijn Schothorst. The Swiss Louis Delétraz (Josef Kaufmann Racing) is still in third place eventhough he only finished ninth after a poor start.

 

Callan O'Keeffe (ART Junior Team): “It is the best way to come back after Spa. I had a good start and pulled a gap after the safety car left the track. I could just continue in first place. I made a mistake in turn 3 and Barnicoat closed the gap a bit. But I kept pushing. Thanks to the team for a great car.”

Ben Barnicoat (Fortec Motorsports): “I had such a good race. After the bad start of Delétraz I moved up to second. I tried to push and keep the pressure on O'Keeffe. When Callan made the mistake in turn 3, which is a very difficult corner, I closed the gap a bit, but I could not get close enough. I feel really good as I am back on top of the leaderboard and hope to stay there. I start in second place tomorrow so I will challenge for the lead. I thank the Racing Steps Foundation to make it possible for me to race.”

Gustav Malja (Josef Kaufmann Racing): “I had a very good start and went from P5 to P3. Assen is a very difficult circuit to overtake, so I had to stay behind Barnicoat, eventhough I pushed and had good speed. I am happy with today and looking forward to tomorrow though I qualified only sixth. But the car feels good and I am confident that I can gain places in tomorrow's race.”

 

Sunday 3 Augsut

15.10 – 15.35 hrs Race 2