Formula Renault 3.5
The 2010s were kind to Formula Renault 3.5. A low-cost alternative to the notoriously expensive GP2, it became popular with some of the more underfunded wonderkids, while also gaining the support of several F1 junior teams. That upward trend culminated in 2013, when 3.5 launched Kevin Magnussen directly into F1 and introduced megatalent Stoffel Vandoorne into the mainstream consciousness.
But a tough year was on the horizon as the low budgets caught up with some of the teams, including 2011 champions Carlin, who claimed they couldn’t compete with the other squads selling their seats for dirt cheap. By Spa, the grid was at its lowest since the dawn of the series.
However, quantity does not correlate with quality and, as usual, 3.5 had the latter in abundance. The championship was destined for a nomination ever since Sainz, Gasly and Rowland confirmed full-time deals, while the likes of Stevens, Sirotkin, Nato and Sorensen returning made for a nice bonus.
A fight between pure pace and experience was on and, as usual in Formula Renault 3.5, pace won by a huge margin. The eventual 2014 top four featured three rookies and one man who contested just a part-time schedule prior.
In the end, Sainz was a well-deserved champion and his often brutal form saw many races decided by the first lap as he left opponents in the dust. Overtaking, as usual, appeared to be rather tough and only four races weren’t won by the poleman.
But there were still moment to savour ? for instance, Sirotkin holding off Amberg to win his first 3.5 race on home turf at Moscow, Stevens denying Rowland at Jerez by less than a tenth or a brilliant fight between Gasly, Stevens and Sainz for second at Hungaroring.
For all the crisis talk, FR3.5 was in fine form this year. And, with a new batch of 2.0 graduates and the re-signing of Rowland, there’s no reason why it can’t continue to shine through 2015.
Valentin Khorounzhiy