The Formula Renault Northern European Cup was a popular and competitive step on the ladder to Formula 1 running at a number of F1 and F3 tracks and set up as the entry level series to its “big brother” the Formula Renault Eurocup. Running to the same technical specifications as the Eurocup with the same 2.0 litre, Tatuus-manufactured Formula Renault car, the NEC is the perfect way to get young drivers the exposure and experience needed to graduate to the ultra-competitive Eurocup with races taking place in 2018 at Zandvoort, the street circuit in Pau, the Hungaroring, Monza, Spa and Hockenheim. A two day test and media day will be held in Hockenheim before the season starts in conjunction with the Eurocup series with the first race scheduled for April.
Race weekends consist two 30 minute practice sessions before a single 15 minute qualifying session and 30 minute race are held on each day of the weekend. The organizers have worked hard to forge closer ties with the Eurocup by allowing NEC drivers the chance to compete in two rounds of the Formula Renault Eurocup championship as Wild Card entries.
Over all the series is a competitive next step after karting or national F4 and counts among its graduates Valtteri Bottas (Formula 1 – Mercedes), Carlos Sainz Jr (Renault Sport Formula One Team), Sebastian Buemi (Formula E Champion), Robijn Frijns, Antonio Felix da Costa, Daniil Kvyat and Lando Norris (Formula 2 РCarlin as well as McLaren F1 test and reserve driver).
