Ka-Pau! Peroni hits top gear

THE wet conditions in Pau, France, couldn’t stop Tasmanian teenager Alex Peroni sweeping the opening round of the Formula Renault Northern European Cup.

The 18-year-old Hobart driver won both 30-minute races, coming from behind to beat pole sitter and MP Motorsport teammate Christian Lundgaard in Saturday’s first heat, before leading Lundgaard all the way from pole position on Sunday to score his second victory.

“It’s been an almost perfect weekend,” Peroni said.

“Race one was one of the toughest I’ve driven.

“The rain made it almost impossible to see through the spray behind Christian so, at first, I just concentrated on not making mistakes.

“The second race was more straightforward than the first.

“I made a good start from pole and kept a few seconds’ gap on Christian for most of the way.”

Although Peroni sits atop the e Northern orthern European Cup points table. he’s unlikely to contest further rounds of the regional Formula Renault series because of his limited budget.

Peroni is going to use the experience at Pau to prepare for coming rounds of the premier Formula Renault Eurocup series, especially for Monaco , which starts in a fort nigh fort night. “Winnin this weekend wwas what I needed to put in stronger Eurocup performances, especially at Monaco in front of the Formula 1 teams,” Peroni said. “Pau is very much like Monaco, and to be competitive here against Christian . . . gives me the confidence to step up and challenge for podiums.”