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What convinced you to debut in ALPS in
2011?
“Our aim is develop young drivers as they
move up from karting and other junior
formulas, helping them as they take their
first steps in the world of single-seater
racing, and following up their progress.
Therefore, it was a logical step for us to
begin competing in a championship like
ALPS. The interesting and historic circuits
used for the ALPS series guaranteed an
exciting challenge for the young drivers, as
well as providing them with vital
experience for when they graduate to the
more senior categories, many of which use
the same tracks. For this reason I was
pleased to learn that the number of
international meetings will be expanded for
the 2014 edition.”
Would you say that the category has been
expanding over recent years? What are the
most important aspects?
“The championship has developed very
well since it was established in 2011. It is
gradually becoming more and more
relevant in the motorsports world thanks
to the high level of stability and the quality
of the organisation. Another important
aspect is the willingness to involve the
teams in future projects and the
promoter's plans.”
In what ways could the ALPS
championship be improved?
“As I already mentioned, I’m very pleased
that there are going to be more
international meetings, not just in Italy, in
2014. I’d like to see the introduction of a
second qualifying session, on the Sunday
morning, in order to determine the starting
line-up for race 2. Under the current
system, where a driver’s starting position is
determined by his second best time in the
only qualifying session, if a driver has an
accident during this session, it ruins his
entire weekend”
How would you rate the ALPS series
compared to the European championship?
“I don’t think that any of the other
championships can reasonably expect to
receive the level of interest generated by
World Series by Renault, and hence
Eurocup. But from a purely sporting point
of view I would say that there is absolutely
nothing choose between ALPS and the
European championship”.
How was the 2013 season for you?
“It’s been a year of ups and downs for us,
and our drivers have made significant
progress with respect to 2012.
Tereshchenko showed that he’s one of the
quickest drivers under race conditions, but
he has yet to get to grips with the
qualifying sessions. It was Mora’s first year
in Renault ALPS and while he’s still got a
lot to learn, he did make some progress,
whereas Abogado achieved his best
formula result in Monza.”
What are your projects for the 2014
season?
“We’ll be participating in Eurocup Renault
and F. Renault ALPS again next year, and
we aim to increase the number of cars we
enter for the ALPS competition”.
