Press

Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, Spain

Charles Leong of BlackArts Racing took part in the Renault Sport -sponsored Eurocup Official Rookie Test this week, compliments of his 2017 Asia Formula Renault Drivers Championship win. Leong joined the test day compliments of Renault Sport, driving for Mark Burdett Motorsport in Barcelona and joined by two teammates, season champions from Denmark and Japan, with Leong setting the fastest times of the day amongst the MBM drivers.

With a big learning curve adapting to the challenging 4.65kms, 16 turn circuit and learning a new spec tire while working with a new team for the first time, Leong performed well against champions and runner ups from Germany, France, Unitied Kingdom, Denmark, and Japan. In addition, many of the regular season Eurocup drivers were testing in Barcelona at the same time in preparation for their final race weekend of the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Championship 2017. Leong went faster at the test than what the team had qualified at the race meeting just two days prior.

After the test, the Macanese driver was invited by Force India and Renault F1 to visit their factories in the UK.

BAR’s Josh Evans accompanied Leong to the test in Spain and said ‘The team was impressed with Leong’s performance. We prepared thoroughly for the test with simulator training in Zhuhai and Hong Kong, but of course Charles had never driven this circuit or on this compound of tire – so his Rookie Test was all the more impressive." Leong said “I really want to thank BlackArts Racing for the tremendous season that we had. It was my first full season in formula racing, and driving for BAR I was able to take both the Asia Formula Renault and FIA China F4 driver’s championships, while BAR won the team championships. It’s been amazing to make it to Europe for this sponsored test – a big ‘thank you!’ also to Renault Sport and FRD for helping make this possible. I am really excited to see the F1 operations first-hand and looking forwards to racing in 2018.”