Debut with highlights and problems for Rene Binder

Despite everything, Rene Binder managed to mark his debut in the FIA Formula 2 with a sporting highlight by posting the fastest race lap in Sunday’s race. However, two punctures prevented a points-scoring finish in Jerez, southern Spain…

His debut in the FIA Formula 2 came about at short notice, and for Rene Binder, it was actually more like a return to the former GP2 series which is aiming to strengthen its position as an official junior series to Formula 1 with a completely new racing car in 2018:

“We’ve always kept in contact with the series, and I was obviously pleased to get this great opportunity with Rapax in Jerez, as I’ll again be driving on Pirelli tyres in two weeks’ time during my Formula 1 test.”

After making the switch to the Italian tyres, which proved tricky as expected, the triple winner of the World Series Formula V8 was nevertheless able to develop a good foundation in race trim, on which he could work and adapt the Dallara Mecachrome’s setup to his driving style.

While many other drivers had to make a second pit stop in the main race as temperatures crept above the 30 degree mark, the young Tyrolean looked after his tyres and was on course to finish in the points until a slow puncture slowed him down.

“We’d noticed that the kerbs have very sharp edges while walking around the track on Thursday. We don’t know whether that had anything to do with the puncture, but the tread had a long gash in it, through which the air escaped only relatively slowly, thankfully. But for the unscheduled pit stop, a place in the points would at least have been possible. Maybe even P8 and pole on Sunday too.”

Binder had to make his way up the field again in Sunday’s race from the very back of the field after an extremely poor start due to a clutch that needed some getting used to. “I nursed the tyres and kept out of all the scraps until the cars in front of me ran into problems.”

He moved up into P10 thanks to his clever tactics and was even faster than a number of cars ahead of him, whose tyres were degrading at a terrific rate. “I think it was a combination of our setup and my driving style, but we were unable to benefit in the end. That was the first time I’ve ever suffered punctures twice in one weekend, although on the second occasion, I think I was probably hit in the rear by another car.”

With a tremendous fire burning in his belly, the Rapax driver posted the fastest lap of the race after changing tyres. “That definitely lifted my spirits, as other cars also pitted. All in all, it was excellent preparation for my Formula 1 test at Paul Ricard, and I at least felt that I’m now a much better driver after two years in the World Series with Lotus.”