By finishing third in the last Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 race of the season, Epsilon Euskadi’s Albert Costa di what he had to claim the 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 championship. Motopark Academy’s Antonio Felix da Costa won the race ahead of BVM Minardi Team’s Dean Smith. SG Formula’s Jean-Éric Vergne, who finished in just sixth place, nevertheless finishes second in the championship, equal on points with Antonio Felix da Costa, but the total number of wins, four against three, plays in the Frenchman’s favour.

The final meeting of the season was crucial for the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 title and for the last race for this single-seater before it is replaced by New Formula Renault 2.0 in 2010. On the starting grid, Albert Costa had a four point lead over Jean-Eric Vergne and thirteen over Antonio Felix da Costa. It was da Costa who held pole, followed by Costa and Vergne.
Da Costa kept the leadership, while Costa was overtaken by Vergne. However, before the end of the first lap, Costa had clawed back the place he lost. Kevin Magnussen also profited and at the end of the first lap, the race order was da Costa the lead, followed Costa, Magnussen and Vergne.
Albert Costa and Kevin Magnussen swapped second place, but Costa had the last word. Vergne allowed himself to be passed by Motopark Academy’s Adrian Quaife-Hobbs, falling to fifth. Meanwhile Dean Smith, Formula Renault 2.0 UK champion, who started from eleventh place, was getting stuck in. Gradually catching up Vergne, Quaife-Hobbs and Magnussen, Smith was able to sneak into third. Da Costa was still leading, ahead of Costa, Smith, Magnussen Quaife-Hobbs and Vergne.

On fine form, Dean Smith overtook Albert Costa to snatch second place. Sixth, Vergne was looking for an opening behind Kevin Magnussen and Adrian Quaife-Hobbs. But the Motopark Academy drivers had resolved not to make life easy for him. At that point in the race, Albert Costa was set to be crowned champion.

Da Costa was well on his way to a third win of the season, and a clean sweep at Motorland Aragón, with two pole positions and as many wins. But at the end of the race, his rivals got the better of him. Costa tried to overtake Smith, but the maneuver was not successful. Da Costa was leading, ahead of Smith,Costa, Magnussen, Quaife-Hobbs and Vergne, the six drivers finish the race bumper to bumper. Magnussen was able to change things by overtaking Costa, but the positions changed again, just a few corners later, when it was the turn of Costa and Quaife-Hobbs to get past Magnussen.
Victory was da Costa's, followed by Smith, Costa, Quaife-Hobbs, Magnussen and Vergne. In third, Albert Costa had done everything he needed to. He claims the 2009 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and prize money of 500,000€ towards participating in the 2010 FR 3.5 Series, while in the Teams Championship, Epsilon Euskadi were the victors ahead of SG Formula.

Quote, unquote:

Albert Costa: “I’ve got a lot of things to think about right now! First of all I’d like to thank my family, my team Epsilon Euskadi, and everybody who's helped me out. This race was crazy. There was so much overtaking going on. And finishing with Antonio and Jean-Eric sixth, I just let it happen, I knew it was going to be my day. I made a few mistakes this season, each time I came back stronger. Next year, I’m going to continue the adventure with Epsilon Euskadi in Formula Renault 3.5 Series. To go out there and win again!"
Antonio Felix da Costa: “I did everything I had to this weekend. Thanks to my team, my family and all my supporters. Unfortunately we didn’t win the title today.”

forrás: renault - sport.com