Gosselies, Belgium – 8 March 2016: The Marc VDS Racing Team will campaign the sensational Renault R.S.01 in the 2016 season. Markus Palttala and Fabian Schiller will race for the Belgian squad in the six-round Renault Sport Trophy, in partnership with Monlau Competición, and with the support of Estrella Galicia 0,0 and Elf.

The purpose built R.S.01 is one of the most exciting racing cars in the world, with a 550bhp twin-turbo V6, carbon chassis, carbon brakes and advanced aerodynamics. The car’s characteristics and speed are closer to prototypes or DTM machinery than to GT cars. It is designed solely for competition.

The Renault Sport Trophy is a single-make series, featuring a full grid of top teams, and two-driver crews. Within each crew, only one may be a professional driver – the other must either be an older amateur, or a young pilot with limited experience. Each weekend features three contests; one 25-minute sprint race each for the two drivers, and one shared 70-minute endurance event. Over the course of the season, each driver will start three of the six enduros. These three, plus their performances in the solo races, will count towards the drivers’ championship.

Palttala is a stalwart of competition with Marc VDS, with experience and victories around the world in various GT racing cars. His most recent success came at the 24 Hours of Spa 2015, with the Marc VDS Racing Team. Schiller, meanwhile, is a young talent who will be aiming to impress. The 18-year-old German has plenty of single-seater experience, including most recently in the FIA F3 Championship in 2015, but will be stepping into closed cockpit competition for the first time.

Markus Palttala
“This will be my seventh year racing with Marc van der Straten. I look forward to bringing more success this season. The car is incredibly cool. It’s fast, there’s a lot of pleasure for a driver; with all the downforce, the carbon chassis and the carbon brakes. It’s not really comparable to the GT cars I’ve been racing recently – it’s more like a prototype, or a single seater. It’s also a really good calendar, with great tracks. This car will be absolutely mega at Spa. The format is going to be really interesting – it’s rare for me to have a race where I don’t share the car! I was really impressed with Fabian’s ability, he’s got a lot of potential in the world of sportscar racing.”

Fabian Schiller
“It’s a really good opportunity for me, to be racing with such a strong partnership as Marc VDS and Monlau. Both of these teams have had so much success. It’s phenomenal to be racing with Markus, who is hugely experienced and fast – I’ll be able to learn so much from him. Endurance racing is my goal, and I want to become a factory driver one day – I know I can learn a lot from Markus, and the team. I can’t wait to get this season started, there’s so much potential for us with a strong team, and strong drivers.”

Marc van der Straten – President, Marc VDS Racing Team
“I’m very pleased to be extending our partnerships with Estrella Galicia 0,0 and Elf, and Monlau, with whom we’re already running closely with in motorbike racing. They’re a very impressive organisation, and when I was offered this opportunity I would have been foolish to turn it down. This car is incredible, the series looks fantastic and I’m very excited to be aiming for overall wins. I’m incredibly pleased to welcome Markus once more – he has been a great racer for me over the years. I look forward to seeing what Fabian is capable of, I’m sure he’s a fantastic talent.”

Renault Sport Trophy Calendar:
Motorland Aragon: April 16-17
Imola: May 13-15
Red Bull Ring: July 15-17
Paul Ricard: August 26-28
Spa Francorchamps: September 23-25
Estoril: October 21-23