The new-for-2014 Florida Winter Series is set to launch at Homestead Speedway in eleven days time; however this is one that looks at young drivers in a slightly different way.
Supported by the Ferrari Driver Academy (FDA), the series will run over four rounds at three circuits, but unlike conventional competitions, no points are on offer for the races and there is no title to be won.
Rather the Florida Winter Series appears to be geared toward educating drivers on aspects of engineering, as well as teaching them about the information collected and transcribed by data logging machines.
It does much to make the off track aspect of the Florida Winter Series one of the more interesting elements. Apart from the usual debriefs that occur over the case of a normal race meeting, drivers are to be assigned to specific engineers in order to tackle the mechanics of a racing car.
According to Luca Baldisserri, the director of the FDA, drivers are to “tackle all the difficult aspects of the job.” He continues: “We will ask them to support the mechanics as they work on assembling and dismantling their cars, thus increasing their practical mechanical knowledge.”
The practice of drivers knowing their car inside out is an element that was common in motorsport some decades ago when the likes of Graham Hill, Sir Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren, et al mixed their astute engineering knowledge with their driving skills to great success.
For Baldisserri, this is element is key. “In between races there will be time not only to fine tune their physical preparation in pleasant weather, but also to work with the engineers on analysing the data and, no less important, to share their experiences with drivers from different backgrounds,” notes the former-Formula One strategist, before concluding, “It’s the best way to understand how what they do out on track can affect the work that goes on in the pits.”
The series will run fifteen Tatuus FA010 chassis, normally seen in Formula Abarth Italy and is powered by a 1.4 litre FIAT FPT414TF turbo engine, which will produce approximately 190hp. With potentially more than 800km of running time available per weekend, it will also act as a perfect way for drivers to brush off cobwebs prior to the proper season start in Europe and the US.
Naturally, all drivers currently in the Ferrari Driver Academy – Raffaele Marciello, Antonio Fuoco and Lance Stroll – will take part in the series. Other drives are to be taken up by FIA European F3 racers Ed Jones, Dennis van de Laar, Nicholas Latifi and Luis Sa Silva. Alex Bosak (Formula Renault Alps) and Leonardo Pulcini (Karting KF3) will also race the new single-seater category.
Along with the young contingent, “benchmark racers” will take part in one or more rounds. Jules Bianchi is to take a break from his duties with Marussia in effort to compete in one round, while IndyCar’s Simona de Silvestro will also make an appearance.
Due to its relatively mild climate during winter, it was decided that Florida would be venue to hold the brief series, beginning with a collective test at Homestead Speedway on January 22nd.
Thereafter the field will reconvene at Sebring for a round from 25th-27th of January, before setting off to Palm Beach International Raceway (3rd-5th February) and Homestead Speedway road course, where the series will play out its final two rounds (February 12th-14th and 17th-19th).
Jake Dennis and Spike Goddard solidified their seats in this year’s FIA European F3 Championship yesterday.
Dennis, a winner of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award in 2012, will drive for Carlin Motorsport following a reasonably successful campaign in last year’s Eurocup Formula Renault season.
With backing from Racing Steps Foundation, the 18-year-old joins the famed British squad after three seasons with Fortec Motorsport, during which he claimed the 2012 Formula Renault NEC title.
The Warwickshire racer also enjoyed success in the InterSteps series in 2011, prior to his graduation to Renault championships on the continent.
“I can’t wait for the season to start so that I can get out in the Formula 3 car,” said Dennis. He continued, “The championship is very competitive and there is so much to learn and while it will be a big challenge I’m glad to be undertaking it with Carlin as I think we can be strong together.”
Although the Farnham team fell a little short in the European Championship {note 1}, Carlin took another British F3 Series crown with Jordan King, following prior successes with Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne and Takuma Sato, as well as IndyCar and F1 hopefuls Jack Harvey and Felipe Nasr.
Having previously worked with the likes of Harvey and James Calado, Carlin is delighted to once again be partnered with a Racing Steps prospect. “We’re very proud to be working again with the Racing Steps Foundation, which is a fabulous initiative from Graham Sharp. We’ve created two vice champions and a British F3 champion together previously and we will be doing our utmost again for Jake at this important point in his career.”
Meanwhile Goddard has confirmed that is to remain with T-Sport into the 2014 season – his third in the category. The Australian has often struggled during his tenure in Formula 3; however T-Sport team boss Russell Eacott thinks Goddard has enough potential to at least challenge the mid-pack this year. “Spike has worked really hard over the last two years and has made good progress. European F3 is the highest level of F3 racing so it is a massive challenge for all of the drivers and makes them work for the results. With the knowledge that Spike has gained in 2013 we look forward to fighting for points in the coming season.”
While Goddard has certainly struggled on a number of occasions, the 21-year-old did appear to make notable improvements when partnered by Alexander Sims. Despite this, Goddard scored 0 points last year after managing a best finish of 15th place – a result he achieved on three occasions.
{note 1}
Last season, Harry Tincknell took 5th ahead of fellow Carlin racer Jordan King in the European Championship. While not the result the team may have wanted, Carlin were still the most successful of the Volkswagen-powered entrants, in a category chiefly dominated by Mercedes-backed machinery.
Formula Renault Alps racer Dario Capitanio has opted stay with BVM Racing as he enters his second season in the championship.
The 18-year-old Italian moved to the Central European category last year, following a season in Italian Formula Renault; however tails of poor luck and inconsistency meant Capitanio failed to deliver on his potential shown in 2012.
In a tricky year, Capitanio scored only four points finishes – the highest of which was a 7th place during the opening weekend at Vallelunga.
However team boss Giuseppe Mazzotti believes his Italian charger will fair far better now that he has some extra experience in his side. “Because of bad luck, because of some evident lack of experience, his 2013 season was nota s successful a sit could have been. I’m quite sure that the 2014 could be the right season to emerge – he showed some good potential and he will still improve.”
Capitanio is now one of five drivers to have signed up for the upcoming Alps season with Fortec running Martin Kodric and Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile Tech 1 Racing have signed Canada’s Luke Chudleigh, while TS Corse will have veteran Pietro Peccenini in their Tatuus machine.
Also yesterday, it was confirmed that American racer Gustavo Menezes is to graduate to the FIA European F3 Championship with van Amersfoort Racing this year.
The 19-year-old contested the ATS Formula 3 Series with the Dutch squad last year, taking two victories and six podiums, leading to an overall finish of 4th in points.
Menezes is also a veteran of the Road to Indy programme, where he raced in the Pacific F2000 Championship, before spending two years switching between the Star Mazda Championship {note 1} and Formula Renault 2.0 litres in Europe.
Frits van Amersfoort – the team principal of the squad that bears his name – is confident that based on past performances Menezes will be able to establish his presence. “Gustavo did a great job for us in the ATS team, and developed over the course of the season extremely well; winning races and making regular appearances on the podium.”
An element that often gets taken for granted in motorsport is team morale and confidence; however van Amersfoort acknowledges that Menezes personality does much to lift the team. “Gustavo has a unique way of lifting the team’s morale and making the race team a genuinely more energetic place. This is a skill which I am sure will serve him well in the coming season, and will see him make his transition into the FIA F3 Championship smooth and successful. Pre-season testing has been very encouraging.”
Whether this brings actual results is yet to be discovered; however van Amersfoort will at least be hoping for a better year than last season, when Dennis van de Laar and Måns Grenhagen peppered races with inconsistency and heavy accidents.
Grenhagen’s departure and the arrival of the steady Sven Müller helped bring points on board, although one wonders if Menezes will be able to count on similar support from a second driver.
{note 1}
Star Mazda is now known as the Pro-Mazda Championship and sits below Indy Lights on the Road to Indy ladder.
Esteban Ocon is to graduate to the FIA European Formula 3 Championship with Prema Powerteam and van Amersfoort Racing respectively.
Ocon moves to Formula 3 after taking 3rd overall in the Eurocup Formula Renault Series after taking two wins, three podiums and a pole position with the ART Junior Team.
Hailing from Normandy, Ocon impressed Prema Powerteam at a test late last year, prior to making his international Formula 3 début with the Italian team at the Macau Grand Prix in November {note 1}.
For Prema team boss René Rosin, choosing Ocon was not a difficult task. “When we evaluated new, young drivers to add to our team for the 2014 season, we haven’t had any doubts on Ocon, as he proved his talent throughout his developmental path.”
According to Rosin, Ocon’s performance at Macau further cemented his belief in the French youngster and is sure that he will be a threat in this season’s championship. “This impression was corroborated by facts during the test held during the Macau weekend, when he progressively improved his pace and made it to the top-10 on one of the world’s toughest street courses. I definitely think that Ocon will be a frontrunner in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.”
Being part of the Lotus Junior Team, as co-managed by Gravity Sport Management boss and Formula One team principal Eric Boullier will ensure Ocon has some pressure on his young shoulders; however the Frenchman is sure he is more than ready for the task at hand. “I’m very happy and proud to have been chosen by Prema Powerteam for the 2014 campaign,” he said, before adding: “After Macao and the winter tests, I feel ready to deliver and carry the Prema and Lotus F1 Junior Team colours to the top.”
Ocon joins Dennis van de Laar at Prema, with Antonio Fuoco’s confirmation expected shortly.
{note 1}
Ocon drove for Prema Powerteam in the great race, taking 10th in both the qualifying race and the overall Grand Prix event, in what was his first top level Formula 3 event.
British racer Will Stevens has opted to remain in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2014 with Strakka Racing.
The 22-year-old took five podiums with P1 by Strakka Racing on his way to 4th in the FR3.5 Series last year; however as he enters his third season in the category, he knows he must push for the title.
Commenting about his aims, Stevens noted “My goal is to be in F1, and having discussed this with the Caterham Racing Academy, we have decided the right route for me is to stay in Formula Renault 3.5 and win the Championship.
“I developed a great relationship with my engineer at Strakka last season and the consistency of continuing that, together with my experience in the Series, should provide me with the platform to achieve my objective.”
Last month Caterham announced their split from Arden International, with the Formula One manufacturer pulling out of the category altogether, leading to thoughts that Stevens would join Caterham’s GP2 effort – a belief given further credence when Stevens tested with the GP2 team in November.
See also: “World Series by Renault confirm 2014 FR3.5 entries (December 14th, 2013)”
However a decision to switch was eventually sidelined in favour of continuity – something that has been largely absent during Stevens’ career, as he explains: “We gave the switch to GP2 very serious consideration and I like the Series but I have never in my career had two consecutive seasons with the same team in the same category and the chance to do that and really build on the solid year we had in 2013 swung the decision.”
No official decision has yet been made regarding who will partner Stevens at Strakka.
Zele Racing today confirmed that they are to return to the Auto GP World Series for the 2014 season.
The Austrian squad experienced a topsy-turvy 2013, that saw them take one victory at the Marrakech street circuit.
Despite their Moroccan success, the team decided to opt out of two rounds in the second half of the season, while also swapping drivers on a regular basis; however, team boss Michael Zele is confident that his team can move in the right direction. “The positive performance this season has proven that Auto GP is the right series for us. The strong displays of our drivers have shown that we are competitive and we want to expand on that in 2014.”
Zele ran five drivers throughout the 2013; including ex-Formula One drivers Christian Klien and Narain Karthikeyan and 2012 Formula Two champion Luciano Bacheta. With some new technical regulations coming this season, Zele is hoping to secure a mixture of experience and speed to pilot his pair of entries.
“We want to find a strong duo again – one experienced driver who can fight for the title, and a talented youngster who will show his skill in our car,” commented the Austrian.
He added, “There is still a lot of homework to be done for the new season. We will make some changes on the technical side, but also in staff matters, so that we can challenge Auto GP top dogs Supernova next year,” before concluding that; “We have scheduled an extensive winter testing programme which will allow us to be perfectly prepared for the season opener at Marrakech.”
Pre-season testing for the Auto GP World Series commences at the Riccardo Tormo circuit in Valencia toward the end of March, with the opening round going live from Marrakech in April.
It was surprisingly hot inside – of course, I should have guessed.
Being at Vallelunga – only 40km north of Rome – in mid-October, it did not occur to me that summer stretches just a little further than in the UK. Inside a tiny closed cabin with no air conditioning merely emphasised the point.
Ben, the commentator for the weekend, was feeling particularly fragile, but that may have something to do with the colourful beverages consumed the night before…
On this occasion, my voice was not heard on air. Rather the reason for my presence was to take notes, lap-chart and to reference any developing battles or incidents that he may have missed on screen.
All this amidst a small stack of paper, a screen showing the broadcast, a timing & scoring monitor, a window with a view of turn one and a few cans of some very odd tasting energy drink, but the less said about all of that the better. It was a fun and interesting way to work a race weekend, although I would rather it be with a microphone attached.
Thankfully the air conditioning worked on the following day. Just a shame we were still locked in the cabin after the broadcast had finished.
For more, check out Leigh O’Gorman’s Instagram page.
© Leigh O’Gorman
Last year’s GP2 Series runner-up Sam Bird is to compete in three rounds of the new United SportsCar Championship this season for Starworks Motorsport.
Bird, a Mercedes F1 junior and reserve driver, will race in the Prototype Challenge category (LMPC) at this month’s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. He is also set to feature for Starworks at the 12 Hours of Sebring (March) and Petit Le Mans (October).
With an opportunity in Formula One now unlikely to manifest itself, a slot in the USCC will do much to introduce Bird to a new market.
The Englishman has been chasing a seat in the IndyCar Series for the 2014 season and a competitive showing in Daytona could do much to enhance those efforts – should the sponsorship be in place.
After a GP2 campaign that saw him lose out to Fabio Leimer despite taking five race victories with the new RUSSIAN TIME squad, it marks a positive start to the year for Bird. He remarked, “I am very pleased to have confirmed this three race program with Starworks and I would like to thank Peter Baron for giving me this opportunity.”
Bird, who turns 27 years next week, then expanded on those comments by revealing: “This will be my first foray into LMP endurance racing as well as my first time competing in America, so it’s a ‘double first.’ My management and I are continuing to consider various opportunities for a more comprehensive racing program. Quite a few interesting avenues are open to us across a range of racing disciplines and we expect to make further announcements.”
Starworks owner and Team Principal, Peter Baron, was initially surprised by Bird’s availability following his 2013 GP2 campaign; however the American is convinced Bird can build a future in the US. “I was stunned to learn that Sam was available and looking to North America for new opportunities,” said Baron. He added, “We’ve been fairly successful in bringing open-wheel drivers into sports car racing and tapping into that talent. I’m looking forward to working with a driver like Sam who brings a lot of experience with him from some big teams and can contribute heavily to our program.”
Bird’s selection of races means that he will compete in three of the four events in the North American Endurance Championship schedule. At this point, it is unknown whether he will be available to race at the ‘6 Hours of the Glen’ at Watkins Glen in June.
The three-day ‘Roar Before the 24’ test commenced at Daytona International Speedway earlier today.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series veteran Arthur Pic is to switch to the GP2 Series with Campos Racing this year.
Pic – the younger brother of Formula One racer Charles – moves to the Spanish squad following a three-season spell in the top Renault category, during which he picked up one win and two other podiums.
It is an intriguing move for Pic, as he transfers to a team returning to the GP2 Series for the first time since 2008.
See also: “Campos Racing Return to GP2 Series (October 2013)”
According to Campos Racing CEO, Adrián Campos, announced delight with his team’s first signing, commenting that, “I’m very satisfied to have signed Arthur for our return in GP2 Series this season. We followed him closely in the past and his future looks brilliant. I am sure that he will bring us great joy in terms of competitiveness. We are also working to make him feel immediately at home”.
Last season proved a difficult prospect for the 22-year-old. Moving to AV Formula failed to bring a significant upturn in results, following a reasonably successful 2012 campaign with DAMS.
Pic becomes the sixth driver to confirm a GP2 seat, following the recent announcements of René Binder (Arden International), Jolyon Palmer and Stéphane Richelmi (both DAMS), Daniel Abt (Hilmer) and Simon Trummer (Rapax).
Austria racer René Binder received an early birthday present when he joined Arden International prior to the Christmas break.
A race winner in the ATS Formula 3 Cup, Binder has endured a tricky spell in GP2 since signing with perennial backmarkers Venezuela GP Lazarus toward the end of the 2012 season.
The Austria does not underestimate the lessons learned with the Italian squad and is keen to make 2014 the year where he climbs the order. “I learned a lot from Tancredi Pagiaro [Venezuela GP Lazarus Team Principal] and his team, and I’m very thankful to them for that, but now I feel ready to take the next step with Arden.”
Following some initial meetings, a test was secured at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit, eventually leading to the deal between the parties. Binder commented that, “They had approached me in August already and invited me to the winter tests after a first meeting. It seems that Arden has been watching me for some time, but the tests in Abu Dhabi were the clincher.”
The 22-year-old scored eleven of Venezuela GP Lazarus’ twelve points in 2013, although a lack of stability on the other side of the garage skewered the balance of the team. Scoring his complete tally in the opening four rounds, Binder appeared to be building a respectable total, until the monetised merry-go-round began.
While the Austrian may have publicly considered these to be additional opponents, it is more likely that the constant driver swapping merely made it more difficult for the team to progress. “Thank goodness I was after all able to deliver a few good results in the first half of the season, such as 6th and 7th place during my début in Monte Carlo,” noted a rather relieved Binder. “With Kevin Giovesi, Fabrizio Crestani and Vittorio Ghirelli, I also had three different team colleagues against whom I was able to prevail. And Vittorio did after all win the Auto GP Series…”
Binder joins an Arden team that also had a tricky 2013 season. With Mitch Evans and Johnny Cecotto Jr on board, the British team slipped to 8th in the Teams’ Championship after scoring 97 points. Whereas Evans secured four podiums, Cecotto Jr earned mostly criticism for what can be best described as “robust driving standards”.
Despite this, Arden do have plenty of potential and past success as race winners in the GP2 Series and they will no doubt be aiming for higher this season. Meanwhile Binder is aware of the increase in pressure that comes with this change of team. “My goal is to make the breakthrough with Arden […] and ideally to deliver one or the other top result even before Spielberg.” Binder continued, “I always try to concentrate on the essentials and to make as few mistakes as possible. We will have to wait and see what happens next year in this new environment.”
Welcome to the New Year – let’s hope a good one is being had by all. Over the next day or two, I will briefly pick up on some stories that scrapped by over the Christmas period.
So….
Around this time yesterday, it was reported that seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher suffered severe head injuries while skiing.
While out with his son, Schumacher fell and hit his (helmeted) head against a stone or a rock in the snow.
In the past twenty-four hours or so, news and updates have swirled and been regurgitated, while the non-experts spew half understood releases for the sake of some quick numbers.
Alas, modern life. One had probably best look for non-sensationalist material to trust – a tough task admittedly.
This happens because Schumacher – and others like him – are big names and big characters, even after the encore has finished they have left the main stage. Their presence carries weight of personality and baggage and Schumacher was no different.
I have complete respect for his achievements in Formula One, but success in sport pales into insignificance when compared values brought to real life. None of the former means anything.
All of those trophies, titles, victories – and losses – are ultimately deemed irrelevant; because when it all comes down to it Michael Schumacher is most importantly a chap with a wife and two children.
He is also a son, a brother and uncle – a loved one. Everything else is merely a footnote.
I can only hope he recovers soon. My thoughts and best wishes to Schumacher and his family –- and my thoughts too for the five people who died in the Alps in recent days.
Merry Christmas folks,
From TheMotorsportArchive.com and best wishes for the New Year.
Cheers,
Leigh O’Gorman
Puerto Rican ace Félix Serrallés has revealed that he has joined Team West-Tec for their first season in the FIA European F3 Championship.
After a good run in the British F3 Series in 2012 that saw the Puerto Rican finish a close 3rd in the standings, Serrallés endured a patchy run in the European Championship this year.
While Serrallés notched up podiums at the Hockenheimring amidst several other points finishes (ending the season 11th overall), his year was blighted by a poor qualifying and many non-finishes.
His end of season run was disastrous, with Serrallés retiring through accidents in seven of his final nine races – the lowest point being a retaliatory collision with Kevin Korjus in the penultimate race – culminating in a split with Fortec prior to the Macau Grand Prix.
Serrallés’ relationship with the Fortec squad goes back to the Formula Renault UK Winter Series in 2010 – his move to Team West-Tec may be what the 21-year-old needs in order to reinvigorate his single-seater career.
Commenting on his Facebook page, Serrallés noted that: “It’s time to move on to a new chapter in my racing career with new experiences that lay ahead. Team West-Tec Racing is a very good professional team and I am very positive that they will provide me with a good car package to be fighting at the front for wins and podiums, where I belong.”
Although Team West-Tec have plenty of Formula 3 experience (they have been top contenders in the European F3 Open for several seasons), it is not inconceivable that they may find the move up to the FIA European Championship somewhat more daunting.
Serrallés, however, is unperturbed by the challenge ahead, even if his telling of the intricacies of F3 regulations leaves something to the imagination. “I can’t wait to be back in the car, which for 2014 will have new higher horsepower Mercedes-Benz engine and new paddle shift system along with a few other bits.”
Despite the bravado, both Serrallés and Team West-Tec know full well that the likes of Prema Powerteam, Mücke Motorsport, Carlin and Fortec will not be easily pushed aside.
According to Autosport.com {note 1}, Serralles’ former engineer at Fortec, Mick Kouros, has also moved to Team West-Tec to as chief engineer.
{note 1}
“Felix Serralles moves to West-Tec for 2014 European Formula 3” (Autosport.com, Marcus Simmons; December 20th, 2013)
Maximilian Hackl will return to the German Formula 3 Cup in 2014, this time with Amkon Motorsport.
Having previously raced in Austrian F3, the 21-year-old made his ATS F3 debut last year with Franz Wöss Racing, managing 4th place in the Trophy Class, albeit some way short of class winner Sebastian Balthasar.
For 2014, Hackle moves to the Cup Class where he will be battling for top honours; however unlike many of his contemporaries, Hackl will be mixing his racing with university as he will be studying industrial engineering from February.
“It would be fantastic to claim the podium once and again,” said Hackl, before adding, “Both [and studying] are a lot of fun; Formula 3 even moreso. It is definitely worth the effort.”
Carlos Sainz Jr will lead a reduced line-up at the Red Bull Junior Programme next season. The Spaniard is joined on the Red Bull programme by FIA European F3 race winner and Macau Grand Prix victor Alex Lynn and Eurocup Formula Renault champion Pierre Gasly.
Following full-time GP3 Series run and a partial Formula Renault 3.5 schedule with Zeta Corse this year, Sainz Jr moves to FR3.5 category for a full effort with the DAMS squad.
He is to replace outgoing series champion Kevin Magnussen and will be partnered at the French squad by second-year driver Norman Nato.
This will mark a very important year for Sainz Jr, who has shown flashes of speed on occasion, but has also failed to find consistency throughout season long campaigns. Sainz Jr took three points finishes from nine races in the FR3.5 Series this year, while his GP3 efforts delivered two podiums and five further points’ scores.
He knows more is expected from his efforts, but does already appear to have some significant relationship with the DAMS group. “I tested for [DAMS] one year ago… Immediately we had a great feeling and we have remained in contact since then and finally we have been able to get together for next season.”
Unlike 2013, the Spaniard will also not have to contend with swapping championships, cars and teams on a regular basis – something that 19-year-old is sure will aid his 2014 efforts. “I think that it can be a very good thing, just to focus on one series and try to get the most out of it instead of trying to do several championships in different cars. It will be nine races, nine finals for me, I really want to fight for the title, to focus only in this category and try to win it.”
As noted some weeks ago, Gasly has joined the Red Bull programme, although this was only confirmed today. Like Sainz Jr, Gasly also moves to the FR3.5 Series for a full-season effort, albeit with Arden, taking the spot of former Red Bull junior and DTM debutante Antonio Felix da Costa.
The French youngster began by noting his desire to do like Robin Frijns and Stoffel Vandoorne and move to the front with immediate effect; however he is also aware that it will not be some easy task. “For next year I think that the goal is clear, I have seen from this year and previous seasons that it is possible to do a good job in the first season so the goal is to win the championship. I will have to work hard during this winter but I am very motivated and I think it is possible with Arden.”
Adding to the challenge for Gasly is his knowledge that the FR3.5 category is a big step up in power and aerodynamics from the Eurocup Series, but the 17-year-old is confident he will manage the step up. “The biggest difference is in the aerodynamics, there is more power of course but this is not too complicated to manage, I think that to get the maximum potential from the car in one lap is quite hard, you have to be on the limit everywhere and there is a lot of potential in the aerodynamics and this is where the performance lies.“
Meanwhile, Lynn became the first driver to be official revealed a GP3 Series driver for the next season. Lynn moves up from the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, where he scored three victories on his way to 3rd in the standings behind Raffaele Marciello and Felix Rosenqvist.
The 20-year-old will be contesting the Formula One feeder with Carlin next year, but will have to wait until the pre-season tests in March before he can turn a wheel in the GP3/13 machine. While it is not ideal, Lynn still sees other opportunities for some quality seat time. “There is no chance to get into a car until then but Carlin have a simulator so I will be working hard in that and with the engineers to get acclimatised ahead of time“.
Considering the car itself, Lynn continued: “In terms of car performance it is obviously a faster car but I believe that I can take the experience that I have gathered in the last two years in Formula 3 and in Formula Renault and do a good job as quickly as possible in GP3. I think that with the strength of the Carlin team and my experience we should be able to do a good job straight away.”
Alas with the shrinking of the junior squad, some drivers have lost out, with Tom Blomqvist having been dropped from the programme, joining Beitske Visser who split from Red Bull some months ago.
With a DTM drive with BMW confirmed for 2014, Antonio Felix da Costa has, in effect, graduated from the programme.
TheMotorsportArchive.com 