Photo: Chris Schotanus
Dutch youngster Janneau Esmeijer has taken his first victory in Formula Renault 1.6 NEC in race one at Zolder, after snatching the lead with a decisive overtake on poleman Roy Geerts.
Having started from third, Esmeijer got the jump on Larry ten Voorde off the line, settling into P2. From that point on, the Dutchman began to put pressure on Geerts for the race lead and, after spending several laps within very close range of first, finally completed the pass on lap nine.
As such, Esmeijer then cruised to victory, with Geerts in second, while ten Voorde took the last podium spot with a mid-race pass on Tommy van Erp.
Van Erp settled for fourth, finishing ahead of series debutant Patricio O’Ward. Martin Rump, who was not present for qualifying due to participation in the FR1.6 Sweden season finale, ended the race in sixth, with Yaro Deckers and Paul Sieljes, whose race was undone by an early incident, rounding out the runners.
Geerts, whose second-place finish moves him into the championship lead, will start race two from pole.
Race results
| Pos. | Driver | Time/Gap |
| 1 | Janneau Esmeijer | 12 laps in 20:07.217 |
| 2 | Roy Geerts | +2.898 |
| 3 | Larry ten Voorde | +5.209 |
| 4 | Tommy van Erp | +8.603 |
| 5 | Patricio O’Ward | +10.057 |
| 6 | Martin Rump | +20.003 |
| 7 | Yaro Deckers | +22.530 |
| 8 | Paul Sieljes | +1:01.740 |