Leading Spanish squad Campos Racing have announced a collaboration with the Formula Gulf 1000 Series, due to begin this coming season.
The project comes as GulfSport Racing continue their push to build and solidify a foundation for formula racing in the Middle East.
Run by former Formula One driver Adrián Campos, the team has enjoyed plenty of success on track since its inception in 1997. Teams’ champions in the GP2 Series, Euro Open by Nissan {note 1}, European F3 Open and Spanish F3 have proved their metal in tough competition
As part of the collaboration, the next champion of Formula Gulf 1000 will earn a test with Campos Racing’s Formula 3 outfit as well as a day in the team’s simulator at their factory in Alzira. The link will also see selected drivers from the championship offered more reasonable rates for Formula 3 testing and GP2 simulator work.
GulfSport Technical Director Martin Hope believes this initiative could go some way to developing single-seater talent in the Middle East – an area of untapped talent. “This is clearly a big step forward for our young drivers and our vision for single seater racing in the UAE,” says Hope.
“Campos Racing is now actively recommending their own young drivers do Formula Gulf 1000 before they race with Campos in F3 cars in the EuroFormula Open which visits some of the most demanding circuits in Europe.”
Campos, meanwhile, also foresees a big future with GulfSport. “We are delighted to be working with GulfSport and Formula Gulf 1000 as they clearly provide the sort of development capability required by young drivers before they can move into Formula 3 cars.” The former Minardi driver also commented, ”We look forward to having them as our guest at GP2 events and working with them in future seasons.”
Campos returned to the GP2 Series this year following a break of five seasons and have already made a mark on the category thanks to a victory and 2nd place for Arthur Pic at the Hungaroring and Monza.
As part of a widening portfolio, Campos also run the Team China Racing entry in the new-for-2014 FIA Formula E Championship and are also currently racing in their second season of the World Touring Car Championship.
{note 1}
The Euro Open by Nissan was a forerunner to the World Series by Renault category. Primarily concentrating in Spain at the time, Campos took Marc Gené and Fernando Alonso to their respective titles, with both graduating to Formula One shortly thereafter.
