Formula Renault 2.0 NEC
Ben Barnicoat and Louis Deletraz
Created in 2006 after the merger of the German and Dutch Formula Renault 2.0 series, Formula Renault 2.0 NEC had what could be considered its most competitive season in 2014. The series has been revelling in the popularity of the two-litre Renault cars for quite some time now and, this year, there were seventeen full-time and further twenty-two part-time entrants this year.
And, with the series filled to the brim with talented up-and-comers, it is no surprise that the title fight ended up rather close.
Sophomore driver Louis Deletraz starred in the first round but Monza saw his only victory – instead, the first seven races saw seven different winners and twelve drivers standing on the podium. Amidst the variety out front, the consistent Steijn Schothorst, despite going winless, took the lead for a couple of weekends.
At the half-point of the season, karting graduate Ben Barnicoat suddenly took the initiative and picked up the points lead. Schothorst’s first win at Spa briefly elevated him to first again, but Barnicoat took the lead back after the first race at Assen. He was leading the second race of the weekend, but his engine cruelly failed, demoting him below Deletraz and Schothorst and with the top three separated by four points.
However, Barnicoat then won at Most, retaking first. Consistent finishing from Deletraz left him as the Briton’s main challenger, yet, with 16 points between them coming into the final race, the championship ended a bit anticlimactically.? Heavy fog led to the cancellation of the decider and Deletraz lost his shot at dethroning Barnicoat.
Eurocup guests Kevin Jorg, Andrea Pizzitola, Alex Albon and Levin Amweg played a vital part in the title fight, taking a fair share of wins and stealing important points from the frontrunners. But Barnicoat and Deletraz were unfazed by the pressure and competition, emerging as the top men in a superb battle.
David Gruz