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What's the philosophy behind the
series?
“We think we really are the first
steps towards the upper categories.
Even compared to the Eurocup
Formula Renault 2.0 which uses the
same cars and technical rulebook, we
want to be not one step behind,
but slightly behind. The young drivers
start with us and then they go up to
the European championship which
has slightly different rules. We live
in absolute harmony with Renault
Sport, I really want to make it clear,
but we don't limit testing so that
drivers can make a lot more
experience. We think it's the right
path and the right role for the
developmental path we believe in".
It's confirmed by history. Many
champions came from this
championship and there are many
many name. The latest are
Ricciardo and Kvyat.
"We were really delighted to see them
climb up to where they are now and
we're equally delighted to see the
young driver programs from Formula 1
programs rely on us to develop their
talent pool. In addition to the cited
duo, I also think to Antonio Fuoco,
who's followed by Ferrari, and
McLaren's Nyck De Vries. That means
they consider our series professional
and good for what they want to
achieve".
With a very solid base, every series
needs to be renewed in order to
keep being attractive. Will there be
some innovations for 2015?
"There will be many innovations.
Following in our strategy that includes
a constant exchange with the team,
we decided to keep the schedule
untouched for the next season. There
will be seven rounds, but in three of
them there will be three races instead
of two. It will happen at Red Bull Ring,
Monza and Mugello. There will two
one-hour practice sessions, two 15-
minute qualifying sessions and all the
races will last 25-minutes plus one
lap. Summing it up, we will introduce
a third race in three 2015 rounds and
a second qualifying session for the
two-race weekends. Considering the
nature of the Spa and Pau tracks, we
will go for a longer qualifying session,
20 minutes. The rulebook will include
the chance to divide the qualifying
sessions in group. It will be decided
according to the tracks and car
counts but it won't be mandatory”.
Will there be some prizes?
“The championship's winner will get a
Formula Renault 3.5 test. Also, from
last year we introduced a prize for the
best rookie who only entered the
ALPS Series. If he'll decided to go for
another season with the same team,
he won't pay the championship's
inscription fees".
Porfiri, Heikkinen, de Vries and Barbara Petrivelli