FR NEC ORGANISERS CONFIDENT FOR 2017
Formula Renault Northern European Cup organisers are confident the series can continue to be successful next year, despite Renault Sport revamping the Eurocup for 2017.
For next year the Eurocup will feature more rounds and top drivers will receive Renault Sport backing, but despite this Series organiser Mick de Haas insists the NEC still can still prove popular.
“We have more cars than the Eurocup at the moment,” he said. “We had 25 cars at Assen earlier this month which can be a tricky track for us as they don’t know the circuit as well.
“We have spoken to drivers and teams and they are very happy with our NEC programme and have committed for next year. Our programme will be similar to this year with seven events and two or three races per weekend.”
De Haas has, however, questioned plans to increase the number of Eurocup rounds from seven to nine or 10, arguing that drivers may be unable to compete in both championships.
“We’ve had a conversation with Renault Sport and think 10 rounds is too many,” he said. “The feedback from teams is drivers have the budget for a double programme. But they wouldn’t have the budget for 17 events but would for 14.
“A lot of drivers wanting to move up from Formula 4 are finding Euro F3 is too expensive [so Formula Renault is a good option].
“Seventeen rounds would be too many so to me it would make sense to stick to the current programme [seven rounds for each series] and the Eurocup can offer more to more experienced drivers [through the Renault Sport Academy]. It is too much of a step up for some drivers to do Eurocup in their first year.”