Stefan Riener makes impressive start to new season

•    Charge up field at Imola: Riener battles his way to fifth
•    Speed demo: top result in qualifying for Race 2
•    Second place in the Formula Renault ALPS 2.0 standings

Fastest time in free practice, a spectacular charge up the field and second place in the standings – Stefan Riener can look back on an eventful start to his title challenge in the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS Championship. The Austrian driver and his Koiranen GP team have commenced their 2015 campaign. In the two races at the famous Imola racetrack in Italy, Riener took P5 and P6. This was enough to put him in second place in the Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS standings amongst a high-calibre starting field.

“That was a promising start to the new season,” says Riener. “After setting the fastest time in free practice, I even had something in reserve for the two races. I’m convinced that, with Koiranen GP behind me, I am capable of achieving even better results over the next race weekends. In any case, the potential for podium finishes is certainly there. I saw this especially in the first race when I managed to get past half the field.”

On Saturday, Riener was the standout contestant on the former Formula 1 circuit. After a tricky qualifying, he started the first race of the year from eleventh place. Around the mid-point of the race, Riener turned up the revs and moved up six positions within the space of a few laps. The youngster then went on to finished his first Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS race for Koiranen GP in fifth position.

On Sunday, Riener once again demonstrated speed over a fast lap. The 15-minute qualifying session ahead of the race was interrupted just before the end. With time for just one more hot lap, Riener improved from the sixth to fourth on the grid. In a closely fought race on the 5km circuit, he crossed the finish line in P6. Riener missed out on a podium appearance by just three seconds.

After Imola, Riener can now look forward to another highlight on the racing calendar. From 15th to 17th May, he will be driving for Koiranen GP in the legendary Grand Prix de Pau. The race weekend in France ranks among the most important events in junior formula sport. Riener: “I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve never competed on a street circuit before. Koiranen GP and I will be preparing as thoroughly as possible for the race weekend in Pau. This will be a true classic.”