The Deputy Chairman of DTM rights holder ITR, Dr Thomas Betzler, passed last week following a serious illness.
A former part-time racer, Betzler was introduced to motorsport by a school friend in the late 60s, with the teenage Betzler making competitive starts in a Renault R8 Gordini.
By 1970, Betzler had become a force in the Rundstrecken Meisterschaft (a former German championship for touring and GT cars), with the burgeoning racer finishing the season as runner-up in the series to the BMW-powered Alpina of Dieter Hegel.
Betzler took five class victories in 1970 (Hockenheim (twice), Zolder, Mainz-Finthen and Ulm-Laupheim – the latter being a “home race”); however with a total score of 95 points, the Renault-man fell short of Hegel’s total by just five.
Following that success, Renault signed Betzler up as a works Formula 3 driver, while the then 21-year-old also competed in the European Touring Car Championship with Alfa Romeo.
Thereafter Betzler’s racing career drew to a close, although he would continue to make appearances in the DRM (the previous iteration of the DTM) and the ETCC with BMW, before hanging up his helmet.
Always a racer, Betzler obtained his doctorate and law licence, working as a solicitor in sports and traffic law from the mid-80s, operating – mostly – of behalf of car manufacturers, race series organisations, media and sportspeople.
Betzler was one of the founding member’s of the ITR board in 1986 and became the Deputy Chairman of ITR in 2003.
Commenting on Betzler’s passing, ITR chairman Hans Werner Aufrecht noted: “The news of Thomas Betzler’s death did not only affect me in my position as Chairman of ITR but also on a personal basis. We spent a major part of our journeys through life together – both at and [away] from the racetracks. I have lost a friend and the DTM fraternity a valuable member whose heart belonged to motor racing throughout his life.”
Betzler’s passing is a great loss to the DTM family, his absence will be felt most by those left behind. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
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Herbert (right) with former rival and Sky Sport F1 colleague, Damon Hill. © Sky Sports F1.
Three-time Grand Prix victor and Sky Sports F1 analyst Johnny Herbert believes the factory Mercedes Formula One team hold the strongest hand going into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
Following the biggest technical shake up the category has seen since the 80s, Formula One is about to enter the 2014 season with a renewed power dynamic, as the Renault-powered teams struggle in unison.
Based on the three pre-season tests filled with unreliability and inconsistent pace, reigning world champions Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel appear to have ceded their place at the top of the sport.
With issues surrounding the new-for-2014 Renault power units, aligned with Adrian Newey’s typically tight design package which has created cooling issues, Red Bull have endured a torrid pre-season run in.
However in an exclusive chat with TheMotorsportArchive.com, Herbert is adamant that the Austrian powerhouse should not be discounted. “When I started in the early 90s, there used to be only about 60 people in the team, so it took longer for things to get fixed,” says the 49-year-old. “Now the ability to fix things almost overnight is right there. A rather sharp development pace in going to come into play, so instead of seeing a rather gradual linear [improvements], you are going to see massive spikes coming in.
“It’s what you expect – it’s a typical Adrian sort of packaging. Adrian has said they have not packaged it correctly and it may bite them at the start of the season,” before adding, “I do understand that they had some better running when they did their two filming days. That’s where the technology of Formula One has changed a lot, even when I raced, because when we had an issue, it took a bit of time before it got sorted. Lewis is worried about them – whether he is genuinely worried, I don’t know – it may have been some mind games.”
A victor of the 1991 Le Mans 24 Hour Race, Herbert is well aware of coming from behind to win. On that occasion, the Briton’s Mazda entry trailed the race leading Sauber’s by four laps, when Swiss / German car developed a race ending alternator problem, bringing Herbert and teammates Bertrand Gachot and Volker Weidler into a winning position.
In 2014, Herbert is wary of discounting the reigning F1 champions, knowing that reliability may cast its fickle hand across the field in the early races. “You have got to base it on reliability, which McLaren have come out and said that all are aware that reliability is going to be the issue. It’s not going to be raw speed; you have got to get from A to B.”
While the engine regulations have seen a massive overhaul, alterations to regulation governing the transmission may also prove a stumbling block, as Herbert explains: “There is four times the amount of torque that they had last year – I know the gearbox is pretty much standard in shape and size, but you still have to go through that test. There are the eight gears that are in there and I’m sure they would have been trying use those gears, because you are going to give them a punishing time before you get to Monaco – which may be the first time they use that first gear.
“We saw it in Spain with the Mercedes and it carried on in Bahrain. I know they had their gearbox issues in the latter part and I’m guessing that they pushed that box to its limit and beyond to see how far they could push it to find the limitations of the gearbox with all the new transmission systems that they have now.”
Looking to the races themselves, Herbert concedes that while the racing may be somewhat different to previous generations, he is confident that it will not be so different as to turn off the fans. “Everyone says, ‘well, it won’t be good because they’re not racing at 100%’, but even in the early-90s, qualifying was about giving it everything you had and getting that pole position, which is what Sebastian [Vettel] does, then in the race, it was a different situation, a different tool set; you still have to push hard, it’s not about backing way off. It’s only backing off about three-tenths; well the good ones who can feel it – Fernando [Alonso] is one of those, Lewis [Hamilton] is one of those, Kimi [Raikkonen] and Sebastian – they feel what is going on underneath them.”
The former Benetton driver is also quick to calm fears that the F1 cars will be too slow. “It will develop, it will change – the pace they have in Australia, if they went back a year later, will be completely different to what they had in the beginning.”
Which such drastic changes, Herbert contends that the Formula One that viewers and fans will see in 2014 is certain to be the most driver intensive for several years. “It’s not just about raw natural talent. Those days have long gone – it is about having that raw natural talent, it’s having that raw speed, but that’s not enough anymore. That won’t win you a world title, because it’s about getting the best from the car itself and that means working with the engineers in simulators and so forth.”
He adds further: “Everything’s new. They learn; they know what to do as drivers; the engineers have their job to do, the aero guys have their job of improving the aero and the drivers have the […] ability to understand what they are doing in the simulator to get the best from the car from the differential settings, understanding where they need to use the ERS-H,” before concluding: “Break balance is going to be a big factor, because of the way that the ECU calculates how much pressure they are putting on the pedal. They’re probably going to be locking up in the early laps, because that is the way the system is and that’s good, because then it is down to the driver to react.”
Asked who will lead after the initial flyways, Herbert is clear as to who will lead the way. “I think Mercedes, because I think they have the advantage. The one I’m not sure about yet, but have heard very positive things about, is Williams. But I hope Lewis.”
The 2014 Formula One World Championship begins this weekend with the 79th Australian Grand Prix. For those in the UK, “Sky Sports F1 is the only place to watch all 19 Grands Prix weekends live on TV, Sky Go and Now TV”
Young Dutch racer Jules Szymkowiak is all set to move to the FIA European F3 Championship this season with Van Amersfoort Racing.
The 18-year-old driver has precious little experience in car racing, having only previously run in the Formula BMW Talent Cup, amidst his karting exploits.
A former motorcross racer, Szymkowiak discontinued his two-wheeled exploits following a serious accident several years ago, although the accident did anything but discourage him from racing. He wryly notes, “I opted for karting, which was safer. Although I have to admit that I was too eager a few times in karting as well and also got a few bruises. However, I have learned from such experiences, too.”
Noting the challenge ahead, Szymkowiak remains grounded when it comes to his outlook; however that does not mean the van Amersfoort man is unwilling to set goals. “I am well aware that this is a big step, but when you don’t set ambitious goals for yourself, you are getting nowhere.”
Szymkowiak continues: “It soon was clear for me that Formula 3 is the category in which I wanted to be. So far, I have already completed eight days of testing: two days at Silverstone, four days at Barcelona and two days at Valencia, and that went really well. A Formula 3 car is a fantastic car to drive and physically, I was very well able to cope with it, too.”
As well as benefitting from the expertise at Van Amersfoort, Szymkowiak is also supported by Formula One driver Adrian Sutil, who acts as a consultant and coach for the teenager. “I am often training together with Adrian and recently, I travelled with him to the Formula 1 test at Jerez.”
Szymkowiak concludes that, “This year is Adrian’s first with Sauber in Formula 1 while I am in my first season with Van Amersfoort Racing in Formula 3. We have both said that a position in the top eight in the final championship standings is our goal. Certainly, that is ambitious, but you need something you can focus on!”
Szymkowiak’s inclusion in the FIA European F3 field means that now 29 of the 30 full-time seats have been filled.
GP2 Series veteran Stefano Coletti has moved to Racing Engineering for what will be his fourth full season of competition.
Coletti, who became the first Monegasque driver to win in Monaco since Louis Chiron triumphed in 1931, joins GP2’s reigning Teams’ Champions in an effort to collect the Drivers’ title.
The 24-year-old led much of last year’s GP2 season, only for his season to collapse in the second half of the year, where he failed to score a single point in the latter eleven races, dropping to 5th overall by year-end.
According to the president of Racing Engineering, Alfonso de Orléans-Borbón: “We have had the chance to closely follow Stefano’s career for the last few years, and especially in 2013. What we saw was a very fast and determined driver, who knows how to fight on track and take race wins.”
De Orléans-Borbón continued: “We are very pleased that he is joining us for the 2014 season and I am convinced he will be a title contender this year. Stefano is a very pleasant and hard-working driver, I am sure he will fit in well with the team. With Stefano and [Raffaele Marciello] we have a driver pairing one can only dream of and we are all really looking forward to the start of the season.”
Coletti joins GP2 Series rookie Marciello at the Spanish squad for a season, which may go a long way to determining the direction his future. Interestingly, Coletti has taken six race victories in GP2 and the now defunct GP2 Asia Series, all of which have been reverse grid Sprint Races.
With Coletti’s announcement, there are now only three seats available with the season start only a few weeks away.
The champion of the 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Champion will receive a test with leading GP3 Series squad Arden Motorsport at the end of the year.
The Arden GP3 team have propelled Toro Rosso Formula One pilot Daniil Kvyat and GP2 racer Mitch Evans to the GP3 title in 2013 and 2012 respectively.
The team – a team originally formed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, his father Garry and former Formula One driver Mark Webber – will be looking for further success in 2014 with a trio consisting of Robert Visoiu, Patric Niederhauser and Jann Mardenborough.
While the jump from F4 to GP3 would no doubt be too large a gulf for a majority of young drivers, it is interesting offer from one lower level series to one of GP3’s leading lights.
Sergey Zlobin also happens to be the Sporting Director of SMP Racing – that his son, Nikita, has been chosen for the Russian Driver Development Programme may, or may not, be purely coincidental.
At the age of 16, it is certainly far too early in Nikita’s career to lay assumptions of nepotism when the teenager has yet to have the opportunity to showcase his talents at a competitive level.
As an aside, the elder Zlobin has enjoyed a reasonable racing career of his own over the years. After a few seasons in Russian Formula 3, the 43-year-old contested several rounds of Euro Formula 3000, while also undertaking temporary testing duties with Minardi.
However his Formula One opportunity fell apart very quickly when the deal with Russian state backer, Gazprom, fell apart. With the money nowhere to be seen, Minardi appeared to have little inclination to keep the Russian on board…
Following his blip on the Formula One radar, Zlobin moved onto GT racing and occasional LMP2 competition at main events, such as the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Unfortunately for Zlobin, any thoughts of a full-time racing schedule in the latter part of the last decade came to a halt in 2007 when his Mercedes G500 machine was car-bombed in Moscow. Thankfully, the explosion was muted and contained to the underbody of the car, resulting in “only” minor juries to his legs.
He returned to racing in 2011, eventually taking a podium in the 24 Hours of Barcelona a year later and competing full-time in the 2013 Blancpain Endurance Series with his own SMP Racing. In January, Zlobin came home 4th in the GTD Class of the Daytona 24 Hour Race.
Felipe Nasr and Nathanaël Berthon have signed on for their third GP2 Series campaigns with Carlin and Venezuela GP Lazarus respectively.
Nasr, who raced for Carlin last season, finished 4th in the standings; however despite some good early results, the Brazilian’s year fell apart in the second half of the year.
The former British Formula 3 champion is determined not to let a similar fate derail his upcoming campaign. “We had a tough fight on our hands last year and although we missed out on the championship through some bad luck and some difficult races,” he said.
“This year I want to go one better and push hard to win the championship; with a strong team like Carlin, and the new rules in regards to the tyres I think we can do this.”
Nasr will also be busy with Formula One duties, following the announcement of his position as Williams F1’s new test and reserve driver. “It’s also going to be a great year for me to be involved with the Williams Formula One team and learn from them. I’ll be attending every race this season with a strong attitude so can’t wait for everything to start.”
Meanwhile from Trident, Berthon moves to series backmarkers Venezuela GP Lazarus for his third season effort. The Frenchman took an unexpected Sprint Race victory at the Hungaroring last year, after taking two podiums with Racing Engineering the previous year.
At 24-years-of-age, Berthon knows he needs to produce something special this year should he wish to grab the attention of teams and series’. “I am very pleased to have the opportunity to remain in GP2 with Lazarus. This season will be crucial for me and the team. We share the same objective: we will give our 100% to become a top team and fight every race for a podium.”
Considering Venezuela GP Lazarus’ record in the previous two years, Berthon may have a tricky road ahead.
Swedish GP3 racer Jimmy Eriksson has transferred to Koiranen GP, following the annulment of his contract with RUSSIAN TIME.
Eriksson moves to the Finnish squad from Status Grand Prix, after a difficult début season in GP3 that saw the 22-year-old score no points.
With the transfer confirmed, Eriksson commented: “I’m immensely thankful to Koiranen GP for their vital efforts to help get me onto the GP3 grid in a competitive car.”
The Koiranen team finished 3rd in the Teams’ Championship in only their first effort and took two wins along the way with Aaro Vainio. It was a record that inspired Eriksson’s decision to move.
Eriksson added: “Besides enjoying a proven track record in other junior formulae, Koiranen GP did an extraordinary job during their maiden GP3 campaign last year, and I think the mentality of the team – Nordic as it is – will fit me well. I’ve been fortunate enough to land one of the most competitive seats in the series, and I now intend to make the most of this new opportunity.”
The status of Eriksson’s RUSSIAN TIME deal came into question when team boss Igor Mazepa passed away last month. Unfortunately with the withdrawal of Team Motopark who ran the RUSSIAN TIME squad, Eriksson’s original contract was cancelled, leaving the Swede with precious little time to pull a deal together.
“From thinking everything was on-track for a strong season with Russian Time, to the tragic passing of Igor and a complete turnaround in everything we’d been working on over the winter, it has been an experience I’d now like to move on from,” said Eriksson.
GP2 Series race winner Adrian Quaife-Hobbs has switched to Rapax for his second season in the top Formula One ladder category.
The 23-year-old Briton débuted in the series last year, starting with MP Motorsport, before moving to Hilmer Motorsport midway through the year, taking a Sprint Race victory for the latter at Monza.
In what is looking like GP2’s most competitive season for several years, the pressure will be on Quaife-Hobbs to see just how far he can challenge for the top spots; however the Pembury native believes the ultimate prize is possible.
Quaife-Hobbs said: “I am looking forward to returning this season to fight for the championship. Together with Rapax I feel we can have a winning season. I am looking forward to getting in the car in Abu Dhabi for pre-season testing and working alongside a great team.”
Admittedly, the former T-Cars champion is no stranger to success, having also claimed the Auto GP title in 2012, alongside race victories in the GP3 Series, Eurocup Formula Renault and Renault’s Northern European Cup.
Rapax CEO Andrea Bergamini added, “He is one of the most impressive young drivers of the last season and he will be forming a high-quality couple with Simon [Trummer; teammate]. Adrian can also benefit from the good developmental path he has enjoyed. He […] did well in all the series he entered so far. I expect a top-class mix together with the Italian professionalism of Team Rapax.”
Michele Beretta and Santino Ferrucci have joined Italian-based FIA Formula 3 squad EuroInternational for the 2014 season.
With former Italian F3 champion Riccardo Agostini already on board, Antonio Ferrari’s EuroInternational team have expended from a single entry to a three-car operation.
Beretta comes to the FIA European Championship following two seasons of Formula Abarth; however of the three, karting ace Ferrucci will not begin his campaign until the fifth round at Spa-Francorchamps, as he will not turn 16-years-of-age until May 30th, ruling him out of the opening portion of the season.
Despite this, Ferrari believes the American youngster will adapt in time. “His speed is great and his general approach is exemplary,” he raved, adding, “I have seen a lot of top talents but I have to admit that neither Daniil Kvyat nor Carlos Sainz or Felipe Nasr were that good, at the age of 15. We have realised that he definitely is extremely gifted. We don’t yet know if he will be able to deliver on the race weekends right from the start but he still is very young and has got enough time for learning his trade.”
For Beretta, Ferrari understands the steep move that he is soon to undertake. The EuroInternational boss noted, “Michele impressed me in the tests held at Valencia in late 2013. He tested for another team and was particular fast in wet conditions.
“He is a real Formula 3 rookie and the step from Formula Abarth to Formula 3 is truly big. But we will help him on the way to making good progress.”
With the beginning of the season approaching, Beretta and Ferrucci will soon be able to display their wares against the known Agostini in pre-season testing at the Hungaroring and Red Bull Ring.
Up-and-coming Dutch racer Max Verstappen has confirmed that he will be competing in the FIA European F3 Championship this year with van Amersfoort.
Verstappen, the son of former-Formula One driver Jos, moves straight to Formula 3 in what will be his first full season of car racing.
The 16-year-old competed in the off-season Florida Winter Series through January and February, eventually scoring two wins from twelve races. Verstappen has also tested Formula Renault 2.0 machinery, but running briefly in an Formula 3 car last November.
There is no doubt the coming season will represent an astonishing learning curve for the teenager; however Verstappen feels this move is the right one. “I feel really at home in a F3 car. The cars have a lot of downforce and grip. This means you can carry a lot of speed through the corners and as a driver you can really make a difference.”
He added, “There is definitely an advantage to being part of a Dutch team during my first full single seater season. Furthermore, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season with Van Amersfoort Racing, especially as we are competing on all those iconic European racing tracks!”
While understandably excited by the year ahead Max’s father, Jos, knows full well that it will not be the easiest of promotions. “The F3 European Championship is a very competitive category with a competitive car and we want to do the best we can.”
However the elder Verstappen knows this is also where Max will make and – hopefully – learn from inevitable errors that come with inexperience. “It will be a year in which Max must learn from the small mistakes he’ll inevitably make as a rookie. Regardless, this is the perfect step for Max venturing into single seater racing, as Van Amersfoort Racing is a fantastic and professional team.”
Frits van Amersfoort, team principal with the Dutch team, is delighted to have Verstappen on board, partnering the already signed Gustavo Menezes. “For a racing team it is always a joy to work together with an extraordinary talent. Max has claimed plenty of titles and trophies which make it a good challenge for us as a team, especially when we are participating in a top championship that is European F3. To be among the front runners will demand the most of us but we’ll give it all we got. Furthermore, 2014 will see a special rookie class which I think is the perfect goal for Max.”
Irrespective of his obvious talent, this will be a tough challenge for Verstappen, but it will be intriguing to follow his progress.
British racing driver Nick Yelloly will compete with Status Grand Prix in this years GP3 Series.
A former race winner in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the 23-year-old returned to the GP3 category last year with Carlin Motorsport, securing four podiums on his way to 6th in the points {note 1}.
While Status suffered a tough 2013 season following the introduction of the news GP3/13 chassis and engine package {note 2}, the Irish-Canadian squad believe that Yelloly will be an important tool in bringing success back to the team.
Team Principal Teddy Yip Jr commented: “Nick has been a highly successful driver over the past two seasons, and we know that his experience and leadership as well as speed are important assets for our driver line-up in GP3 this season.”
Yip Jr added: “He is ready to win this championship, and the team has re-doubled its efforts this winter to provide Nick and his team-mates with a title-winning platform.”
A podium with Alexander Sims last year confirmed that top results are possible for Status – whether the drivers on board are capable of unlocking those results is a different matter.
It is uncertain as to whether Yelloly is a championship contender or not, but do not be surprised if he is found on the podium on several occasions.
{note 1}
In what was a very close call, Yelloly finished the 2013 GP3 Series on equal points with Estonian driver Kevin Korjus. However, with both Yelloly and Korjus having claimed two 2nd place finishes and two 3rd’s, the overall position was decided in Yelloly’s favour as he had accumulated one more 4th place finish than Korjus.
{note 2}
Status GP’s status (sorry) in the GP3 Series dropped in 2013, when regular drivers Adderly Fong, Jimmy Eriksson and Josh Webster struggled regularly – the latter pair failed to score points at all.
The team finished last of the nine crews in the points standings with 18 points; however 16 of those points were recorded by Alexander Sims, who sole appearance with the team at the Nürburgring (taking one podium and an 8th place) raised the level considerably. Fong scored the other two points with a 9th place finish at Silverstone.
Spanish Auto GP World Series team Ibiza Racing will return to the series for a second season with team co-owner Giuseppe Cipriani.
The team formed at the beginning of last season when Cipriani joined up with Ferdinando Ravarotto and Modesto Benegiamo.
As well as fielding his own entry, Cipriani provided a second seat for Sergio Campana; however Cipriani’s own season would come to an abrupt end due to a back injury three rounds in.
For the rest of 2013, Ibiza Racing fielded Fabrizio Crestani, Francesco Dracone and Tamás Pá’l Kiss. It proved to a reasonably successful campaign as Ibiza Racing took the runner-up spot in the Teams’ Championship, while Campana finished 3rd overall.
Beyond Cipriani, the team have not announced any other drivers; however it is believed that they will run two cars full-time.
Meanwhile, there was some good news for Zele Racing, who have entered into a technical partnership with Schroth Racing. The Germany company have spent over half-a-century manufacturing innovative safety harnesses and restraint systems for motorsport entities.
Signature Racing yesterday unveiled Óscar Tunjo as the first driver to lead their highly anticipated return to international Formula 3 competition.
The Colombian Tunjo comes to Formula 3 with some pedigree, having started car racing (and finishing as runner-up) in he Formula BMW Pacific Series at just 14-years of age.
Now 18, Tunjo have since competed in the Eurocup Formula Renault Series, the Formula Renault NEC and the Formula Renault Alps Series, with a best overall result of 4th in the latter (2012).
Following his good run in the Alps Series, Tunjo became part of the Lotus F1 junior team two years ago.
Tunjo’s move to Formula 3 with Signature is something of a leap of faith for the teenager. Not only will this be Signature’s return to the category, but it is also Renault’s return to F3 as an engine manufacturer, with a power unit built and maintained by French engineering company Oreca.
Canadian teenager Nicholas Latifi is to complete Prema Powerteam FIA European F3 line-up for 2014 following his move from Carlin.
The 18-year-old Toronto native has decided to stay in the top F3 class after a delicate opening season that saw him take 15th in the European Championship and 5th overall in the British Series.
While not the most stellar of seasons on paper, Latifi appeared to improve gradually as the season progressed, with the round at Brands Hatch being a particular turning point. As the year progressed, Latifi continued to score minor points, but spent far more time closer to the points paying action, unlike his pre-summer efforts.
It is a series of form and confidence that the Canadian hopes to build on this year. “Next season is a very important year for me and I’m confident that with the experience and knowledge of the team, combined with my abilities, we will be consistently challenging up at the front,” said Latifi. He also noted: “I enjoyed some positive days of winter testing with them and felt comfortable in their working environment.”
Prema Powerteam will not be the easiest of environments for Latifi. Alongside the Canadian will be incoming hotshots Antonio Fuoco and Esteban Ocon – both of whom enjoy the backing of Formula One squads Ferrari and Lotus respectively. The final seat is taken up by Dutch racer Dennis van de Laar.
Despite his progress to the FIA European F3 Championship last year, Latifi has enjoyed precious little experience in motorsport, having only moved to car racing two years ago.
According to Prema Powerteam’s team principal Rene Rosin, how Latifi dealt with that lack of experience raised his reputation significantly. “Despite being a rookie, he showed no reverential awe and it was this kind of fighting spirit that convinced us to have him in our team. We will provide him with all the support he needs to grow up even further.”
Anglo-Italian racer Dino Zamparelli was revealed as the second of ART Grand Prix’ three GP3 drivers yesterday.
A former champion in the Formula Renault BARC Series and the Ginetta Junior Challenge, Zamparelli moves to the French squad following a tricky first year in GP3 with Marussia Manor.
The 21-year-old scored points on eight occasions last year, with a highest position of 7th (twice). However he also found trouble with stewards on occasion, ultimately resulting in his exclusion from the second race at Monza, when a rash move instigated a first corner pile-up.
Despite this, the maturing Zamparelli believes he can play a pivotal part in adding a fifth Teams’ title and another Drivers’ crown to their previous GP3 successes. “Obviously, I’m really excited to sign with ART Grand Prix as it’s a team with a lot of history. Four titles in a row in the team’s championship, two out of four possible in the drivers’ championship speaks for itself,” noted the Bristol-native.
Zamparelli arrives at ART GP with backing from the Bristol Sport group and while all involved are looking to a successful season, the former Ginetta racer knows that knowledge and experience is the key. “One thing is certain: I can learn a great deal with this team. My aim is to understand as quickly as possible how the team operates and to get the best out of the car, the team and my skills. Another good thing is that I know most of the circuits and that knowledge will help me come to grips with this new environment. My aim is simple, to go out and win as many races as possible.”
Having housed Facu Regalia last year, ART Grand Prix CEO Frédéric Vasseur was disappointed to miss out on the Drivers’ Championship, but believes Zamparelli can make that step forward. “Despite his young age, Dino has had extensive experience in motorsport. His record is already very full with two titles and many victories. Therefore Dino has the profile that ART Grand Prix is looking for in a driver for their fifth season in GP3,” noted Vasseur.
He added, “In 2014, we will fight to keep our title and Dino has all the qualities to help enrich us and our record in a championship that has become a must on the international scene.”
Realistically, the field is still far too thin to garner a truthful impression of how the GP3 Series may unfold this year, but with ART Grand Prix behind him, Zamparelli may indeed step up this year. Whether he has a GP3 title in him is a different matter entirely.
Reigning GP2 Series champions RUSSIAN TIME unveiled their 2014 driver line-up yesterday.
New Zealand-born teenager Mitch Evans is to take the first seat for the squad, as he moves into his second season in the category, while German F3 graduate Artem Markelov will occupy the second car.
The 19-year-old Evans moves into 2014 with a title challenge in mind, having achieved four podiums with an inconsistent Arden squad last season, taking 14th in the standings.
Meanwhile, former Lotus-Motopark racer Markelov finished runner-up to Marvin Kirchhöfer in the German F3 Series.
This season will mark a massive step for the teenager Markelov, who decided to skip both international Formula 3 competition, as well as the GP3 Series. One will only know as the season progresses whether this gamble was worth the risk.
The news of driver unveiling follows the announcement that iSport International will be running the RUSSIAN TIME race team after Motopark’s decision to discontinue their relationship with GP2 champions.
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