Antonio Fuoco
Antonio Fuoco joined the Ferrari Driver Academy and contested Formula Renault 2.0 Alps in his rookie car racing season. He finished second to Prema team-mate Bruno Bonifacio claimed victory in the first race of the year at Vallelunga, before taking his maiden win in race two to claim an early championship lead. Fuoco then had a near-perfect weekend at Imola, winning both races from pole, missing out only on fastest lap in the first race.
He then joined the Eurocup field for their round at Spa as a guest entry, giving him the chance to test himself against the best drivers at that level. He finished a fine fifth in race one and then claimed pole for race two. He unfortunately slipped back to fourth by the chequered flag, but he had shown his talents against highly-rated and more experienced rivals.
The Alps round at the same venue followed a week later but it wasn?t Fuoco?s best weekend. He crossed the line second to Bonifacio in race one but was penalised and relegated to 14th after contact. He finished third in race two behind Ghiotto and Bonifacio. He returned to the top step at historic Monza, winning the first race there from pole with the fastest lap on the way. He was hit by Bonifacio at the start of race two but drove a fine recovery to sixth, extending his points advantage.
At Misano, Fuoco pushed Bonifacio for the race one win but had to settle for second. There was then further contact between the two as they fought over the race two lead, causing both to retire as Ghiotto won. The penultimate round at Mugello saw him all-but wrap up the title thanks to his second double win of the year, this time achieving the perfect weekend of two poles, two wins and two fastest laps. That left him just needing a point at the Imola finale last weekend to claim the title. He managed that with no issues, twice finishing second to Ghiotto.
Luis Miguel Martinez