In addition to Marguerite Laffite’s (Oregon Team) arrival in the competition, Tim Coronel (TDS Racing) and Omar Mambretti (Oregon Team) both made their debuts today in the Eurocup Megane Trophy.

The wet conditions of the morning session allowed Stefano Comini to quickly stamp his authority. The Eurocup Megane Trophy 2011 champion took control of the session to lead from Albert Costa. The Swiss did briefly lose top spot to Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team), but he immediately wrestled back the initiative.

As the track began to dry in places, the order changed completely at the end of the session, with some drivers opting for slick tyres. Kelvin Snoeks (TDS Racing) moved top of the timesheets, but, with a flying lap of 2:03.564, it was Stefano Comini who had the last word. Comini finished top after a decidedly soggy first session, followed by Bas Schothorst, Kelvin Snoeks, Kevin Gilardoni and Tim Coronel.

The second session, by contrast, unfolded in dry conditions. Stefano Comini and his compatriot Fabien Thuner set the tempo, with Thuner recording a time of 1:49.877 to move top before Albert Costa joined the action. The Spaniard put together a series of quick laps and picked up his performance to secure a lap of 1:49.164. He finished ahead of team-mates Kevin Gilardoni, Fabien Thuner and Niccolo Nalio (Oregon Team).

What they said

Albert Costa: “I made a bad start to the second session as I collided with another driver. Not only did I damage a set of tyres, but I also bent my steering a bit. So I didn’t have a good feel for the road. After that, with fresh tyres, things went well and I improved considerably. I mustn’t look at what the other drivers are doing; I just need to be in front and to win – that’s all.”

Tim Coronel: “I had great fun out there! The Eurocup Megane Trophy is real racing. GT cars are getting heavier and heavier, which makes them less enjoyable to drive. With the Megane Trophy, I’ve rediscovered the thrill of attacking. It has good grip and you can attack the kerb. It’s great. It’s not an easy circuit and it’s difficult to shave off those final few seconds. I’m enjoying it, and when I enjoy something, I get good at it!”

Marguerite Laffite: “I haven’t driven the Megane Trophy since 2009. It’s more powerful than the 2012 version and, above all, I need to get back into the rhythm. It was good to be able to have one session in the wet and another in the dry. It helps you to gain confidence. I improved lap after lap which proves that I need some track time, in order to get a feel for the car and master the aerodynamic grip.”

(http://www.worldseriesbyrenault.fr/hu/tv_news/news/Pages/PromisingstartforAlbertCosta.aspx)