© SRO.
Jack Harvey decisively took both pole positions for the final British Formula 3 round of the season at Donington.
It marks another turn in what has been a good week for the Lincolnshire driver, who Wednesday had his race 2 penalty from Silverstone overturned*.
At just 6 points behind series leader and Carlin teammate Jazeman Jaafar, Harvey is now well placed to overhaul his Malaysian rival.
Jaafar has provisionally assumed 3rd on the grid, one spot ahead of the man currently 2nd in points, Felix Serralles.
Fortec’s Alex Lynn splits the championship trio, after qualifying alongside Harvey on the front row.
Harvey held the top spot for much of the session, although it was two laps in the latter third of qualifying that sealed the deal.
With eight minutes left on the clock, the Carlin racer logged his first “pole” lap, setting 1:22.663, only for both Lynn and Jaafar to come within 0.012 seconds of the time.
Harvey went quicker still moments later with 1:22.590; however neither Lynn nor Jaafar could close in on the poleman.
“The balance felt quite good, although I had to dig a bit deeper when every got a bit close. My engineer and I have a code, where if he says it’s quite close, it’s probably hundredths, so he comes on the radio just as I was about to start my fastest lap and says “yeah, it’s really close, so if there’s anything left give it everything” and I guess that means I have to find a bit more.
“We tested here last week and felt quite confident coming here and I think with the appeal we gained some momentum as well. It was important to have a good weekend here anyway, regardless of what’s at stake, so I can bounce back from Silverstone in a positive way.”
Pietro Fantin and Harry Tincknell made it an all-Carlin third row, ahead of a Fortec dominated fourth row (Hannes van Asseldonk and Pipo Derani).
T-Sport’s Nick McBride out-qualified Double R Rupert Svendsen-Cook, while Geoff Uhrhane lines up 11th, the last of the International Class runners.
Formula 3 returnee Hywel Lloyd topped the National Class group, with Richard ‘Spike’ Goddard, Pedro Pablo Calbimonte and Duvashen Padayachee completing the field.
For race one, Harvey will lead Jaafar, Serralles and Lynn away. Fantin heads van Asseldonk and Derani, while Tincknell drops to 8th.
* {note 1}
The MSA upheld Harvey’s appeal against the penalty applied against him at Silverstone three weeks ago. The initial 20- second penalty for clashing with Pipo Derani in race 2, was declared to have been too hard and was adjudged by the panel to be a racing incident.
It reinstated Harvey to 2nd in the race, bringing him back into the championship fight, just six points behind Jaafar and three adrift of Serralles.
2012 British F3 Round of Donington (Rd 10, Race 1 grid) Pos Driver Team Time 1. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 1:22.663 2. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 1:22.717 3. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 1:22.812 4. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 1:22.901 5. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volskwagen 1:22.947 6. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes 1:23.087 7. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 1:23.442 8. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 1:23.660 9. Nick McBride T-Sport-ThreeBond Nissan 1:23.882 10. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 1:24.132 11. Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes 1:24.456 12. Hywel Lloyd CF Racing-Mugen Honda 1:25.116 13. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:25.460 14. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:25.967 15. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 1:27.233 2012 British F3 Round of Donington (Rd 10, Race 3 grid) Pos Driver Team Time 1. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 1:22.590 2. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 1:22.675 3. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 1:22.680 4. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 1:22.796 5. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volskwagen 1:22.865 6. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 1:23.024 7. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes 1:23.082 8. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 1:23.387 9. Nick McBride T-Sport ThreeBond Nissan 1:23.658 10. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 1:24.052 11. Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes 1:24.053 12. Hywel Lloyd CF Racing-Mugen Honda 1:24.830 13. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:25.039 14. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:25.780 15. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 1:26.785
As registrations continue to filter through for the BRDC F4 Championship, the series has announced that it will run a Privateers’ Cup for its inaugural season.
Backed by Leeds-based telecommunications company Yoozoom Telecom, the winning driver will receive a prize of £5,000.
The prize is in addition to the existing package, which offers £25,000 and a British F3 test with Carlin Motorsport to the overall champion. As well as that, the six drivers leading the points table will be invited to McLaren’s Technology Centre in Woking for a tour of the facilities.
Former McLaren Autosport Award finalist and Yoozoom Telecom’s managing director Alex Deighton noted that:
“We’re very pleased to be a part of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship which we know is going to be a fantastic entry level formula for up and coming young drivers with great cars, the right budgets and plenty of racing action.
“We’ve been looking at UK motorsports to promote our business and F4 gave us the opportunity we were looking for… It’s our pleasure to put our name to the Privateers’ Cup as I remember what it was like to raise a budget!”
The £5,000 will certainly be a welcome prize for the Privateer victor, in what are increasingly harsh times for the economy; however one worries that it may not be enough to propel privateer competitors up the order.
Amidst all the noise of the Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari SpA announced record revenues and registrations in the first half of 2012.
Come June 30th, the sportscar giant revealed revenue intake of just under €1.21 billion; up nearly 12% from the same period twelve months ago, while delivery of units rose by 7.4%.
The UK and Germany saw the largest percentage growth of registration s (43% and 18% respectively); however the Italian firm will take greater encouragement from a rising number of sales in the US (up 17%) and China (up 10%).
It was not all sunshine for Ferrari. Reports from central Europe, including the company’s homeland of Italy, proved less desirable, as economic pressures begin to bite ever harder in a number of European territories.
Indeed, Ferrari’s good performance appears to be something of blip for the automotive industry, with a number of companies struggling as 2012 bumbles from one financial disaster to another.
Despite this Ferrari President, Luca di Montezemolo, remains buoyant:
“These results, achieved against a still highly challenging international economic backdrop, are first and foremost a reward for our constant and significant investment in technological innovation. The completely new range we are now in a position to offer clients across the globe means we can look forward to ending 2012 having improved still further on last year’s financial performance.
“Over the coming months, we will be focusing hard on a revolutionary new road car and on the last races in a Formula 1 World Championship that looks set to be both thrilling and hard-fought to the very last.”
Earlier this year, Ferrari extended their sponsorship deal with Spanish bank Santander, while at Singapore the team also celebrated their 500th Grand Prix with energy giant Shell.
The past few days has also seen Ferrari lose out in the Formula One drive market, as Sergio Perez – stalwart of the Scuderia’s Driver Development Programme leaves for McLaren to replace the departing Lewis Hamilton.
It sparks a minor blow for the Italian team – Perez was one of the programme’s first signings following its reinvigoration a few years ago, prompted partially by a lack of adequate replacements for the injured Felipe Massa in 2009.
The programme still holds Force India’s occasional Friday morning runner Jules Bianchi, although his influence has been greatly reduced in the past year, following an inconsistent run in the GP2 Series. Bianchi currently races in the Formula Renault 3.5 category, as part of the World Series by Renault package.
Also under Ferrari’s charge are Formula 3 Euro Series racer Raffaele Marciello and Canadian karting ace Lance Stroll.
For now, this represents a reprieve for Massa, who has endured a largely indifferent Formula One season thus far, due in part to tyre warming difficulties and also an incredibly tight field often split by mere hundredths of-a-second in outright pace.
With Fernando Alonso signed on until 2015 and Sebastian Vettel rumoured to be making his way to the Scuderia in 2014, Massa may have an extra year to advertise his services to the Formula One community.
Jarama, 1970. © AlexJ / Creative Commons.
Jackie Stewart had relatively few complaints about the opening to the 1970 Formula 1 season.
Having claimed his first title several months previously, the Scot’s defence began well with a podium under South Africa’s hot, dry sun in Kyalami.
Ken Tyrrell, Stewart’s team boss, had a keen eye for the opposition and he knew there was something up Colin Chapman’s sleeve at Lotus.
Soon the revolutionary Lotus 72 would make its début and the paddock’s worst fears were confirmed, but for now Jochen Rindt’s Lotus machine was doing what it did best – going fast and breaking, often at the same time.
Tyrrell too had a new machine on the horizon, in the shape of the Tyrrell 001; however that would not feature until far later in the year. Stewart would simply have to wait it out, while Tyrrell untangled himself from March and Elf control.
Beginning the year in his Ford-powered machine, Stewart remained at the forefront; a position that delighted him no end as the second World Championship event of the season approached.
Having won the opener, Jack Brabham placed his BT33 on pole in Jarama, with Kyalami runner-up Denny Hulme starting 2nd. On this occasion, Stewart would have to settle for 3rd on the grid.
It was not to be the fullest of fields, largely due to a newly introduced seeding that served only render the task more difficult for some of the struggling privateers.
Indeed only seventeen cars were drawn to the grid and then even one of those, Piers Courage, could not take the start after a serious practice crash. Rindt, meanwhile, would start only 8th – his tragic title charge yet to begin in earnest…
Five drivers failed to qualify, including the well liked and respected Jo Siffert, whose March proved rather problematic to say the least.
The field line-up, pulled away for ninety laps, only to be halted early on by a fiery crash.
© Haroldprimat.com
Viewed often as the more quietened, contemplative souls of motorsport, those competing in endurance racing tend to go about their business with a subtle resolve.
Many a race is dedicated to eking out long winding strategies, each layer peeling away as the hours fall.
That view is changing somewhat, thanks to the ever more tense battle at the top of the World Endurance Championship scales between Audi and Toyota.
Harold Primat is an example of the “classic endurance racer”. After a brief stint on the single seater ladder, the 37-year-old French-Swiss racer switched to sportscars in 2005 with Rollcentre Racing, before moving to Pescarolo Motorsport and the doomed Aston Martin Racing.
Aston Martin withdrew from LMP1 in the middle of last year following the disaster of the AMR1 project; however Primat found a base at Lotus Rebellion Racing in 2012.
One could say it’s a sort of homecoming for Primat as he competes with the WEC’s sole Swiss squad alongside teammate Andrea Belicchi.
Despite having two teams in the LMP1 category, Rebellion’s effort have seen luck not always come their way – Primat and Belicchi more often than not on the receiving end of some poor misfortune.
A clutch issue at Le Mans, gearbox problems at Sebring and a late clash during last week’s fifth round at Interlagos have all conspired to dampen races, although drives at Spa-Francorchamps and Silverstone delivered well deserved rewards.
With three rounds remaining, the Primat / Belicchi duo reside equal 10th in the WEC points standings, while Rebellion Racing battle hard with Strakka Racing HPD for the top prize in the LMP1 Trophy.
However, this weekend Primat is stepping sideways. After several years in LMP machinery, a guest appearance in GT’s beckoned, with the 37-year-old stepping to the Blancpain Endurance Series for a one-off drive at the Nurburgring.
Primat will be driving the #13 Audi Team Phoenix Racing entry with Luca Ludwig and Rene Rast. Despite all his time in motorsport, this is something of a step into the unknown for the quiet Geneva-based racer.
I spoke to Harold on Friday to garner his impressions of the challenges that lay ahead.
“Although I have done the Aston Martin Experience before, this will be my first race [in a GT car]. My first time driving the car will be in FP1 on Saturday. My friend Tom [Kristensen] invited me to try it out recently and when the time came, I said ‘yes, why not?'”
A day’s experience in an Aston Martin is once thing certainly, but when one’s entire top level racing career has been in downforce heavy LMP1 machines, where does one start?
“Teammates. I know and understand that there will be far less aero and that it will slide around more at the rear, but I have two very experienced teammates and the Nurburgring is a circuit I know well from previous events.”
It’s all a far cry from the financial career that so nearly snared Harold in his formative years. A late bloomer in racing, the Swiss racer was already 24-years-old when he entered the US F2000 National Championship, finishing 12th in standings in his first season.
“I was always interested in racing, but started later than most. After about two years of karting, I moved to the Ford (US F2000), but by then I was already 24. There was also time in Formula 3 (British F3 Series) and World Nissan Lights, which is now the Renault World Series, but had two problems.
“By then, I was already 29, so my opportunity for Formula 1 was limited and also my height was difficult; at 1.93 metres (6ft 3″), the cars were very cramped. I tested a Formula 3000 car, but the size of the safety cell meant my legs were too cramped.”
Height would cause additional problems for Primat, gradually easing his way to endurance racing; however he was quick to point out the benefits of such a move.
“When you look to endurance racing, people are having longer careers there. Look at Tom Kristensen who is 43 and [Dindo] Capello who has had a long career, so with that, there were more opportunities. Eventually, I did some races and enjoyed it.”
While it may well be enjoyable, Primat has been quick to point out the issues faced by the Rebellion squad in the WEC this year, but with a good engineering team and a high quality powerplant from Toyota, he is confident Rebellion can succeed.
“For sure, it has been good, but there have been a lot of problems. For example at Le Mans, we lost a long time due to a broken clutch, but that is motorsport. The Lotus Rebellion has been competitive, but the HPD cars are also strong.
“The Toyota [engine] feels good. It is strong in different ways compared to the Aston Martin I drove previously. Sometimes, it needs higher revs, but overall there is a similar result.”
It’s not just been about sportscars for Primat in 2012 though. Indeed an invitation from friend Nicolas Prost (part of the Lotus Renault F1 programme) saw the endurance racing veteran clock up miles in the Renault R30 (2010 Renault F1 car) at Circuit Paul Ricard in July.
Clearly Primat enjoyed the experience; however while the 37-year-old is unlikely to give up the WEC any time soon, he could not help draw comparisons of his respective machines.
“F1 is the pinnacle in terms of technology, so it was a very good opportunity. Very quickly, I noticed the car was very light and had a lot of aero. Braking later was easier to do much later, but obviously I did not brake too late as I do not want to crash the car. It very expensive [laughs].
“For example in the f1 car, I could brake at 50 metres, but in the LMP1 car, I would have to start braking at the 100 metre board.”
It all just adds more experience to Primat’s growing roster in what has been one of the key seasons in his career to date.
Today’s Blancpain Endurance Series race at the Nurburgring will see Primat’s Audi Team Phoenix squad start from 2nd on the grid following a stellar job in qualifying by Rast. Then it’s all back to “normal next week for Primat as he heads to Bahrain for the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Primat ready to go at the Nurburgring. © haroldprimat.com
Racing for Rebellion at the classic Sebring 12 Hours. © haroldprimat.com
© Kamui Kobayashi / Zoom
Following its successful launch at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea last Friday, Zoom’s “F1 Images” charity auction has moved online with twenty-five pictures still available.
Designed to raise money and awareness for the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity, the project features photographs shot by a number of Formula 1 drivers and team principals.
Organised by Formula Money’s Christian Sylt, Zoom featured a number of shots showcasing elements of a race weekend rarely seen by the television cameras, while also bringing to light a number of images that go some distance to uncovering the lives of those in the sport, beyond its immediate walls.
Hosted by the ever buoyant Eddie Jordan, the first batch of twenty-five were successfully auctioned during the launch event, with entries by former world champions Michael Schumacher* and Lewis Hamilton, as well as F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone all fetching significant amounts.
Prior to the event, Jordan noted that:
“Sports people generally like supporting charities, one in particular – Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. It has been a privilege and pleasure to host the Zoom auction, raising much needed funds for this worthwhile cause.”
Meanwhile the online auction – featuring delightful images from the likes of Kamui Kobayashi, Kimi Raikkonen and Sir Frank Williams amongst others – gathers pace, although there is still plenty of time to place a bid for any available item. The auction runs until next Friday night (September 28th).
Sky Sports F1 filmed last weeks launch for a piece to be aired on “The F1 Show” next Friday night (September 28th), during which the final total raised will be revealed.
Interested parties can bid for the remaining items online at Coys.co.uk. For more information about the Zoom Auction, just check out their website here.
* {note 1}
Surprisingly Schumacher’s photo – a picture taken by the seven-times world champion facing out from his Mercedes cockpit – sold for more than twice the amount of the next most expensive photograph.
After a brief, but tense bidding war, Schumacher’s photograph sold for £2,500** to a private bidder in the US – something that raised a number of eyebrows amongst the guests. It was a subtle reminder that despite his lack of consistent top results since returning to the sport, the German name still sells.
Should this prove to be an indication as to the current value of Schumacher’s brand, then Mercedes may still be willing to hold onto the veteran for another season at least, irrespective of his results. Make no mistake – like Valentino Rossi in MotoGP, Schumacher makes F1 news.
** {note 2}
As an aside, a photograph of a pair of Turkish gnomes taken by Bernie Ecclestone sold for £1,100 following a bidding war between Damon Hill, Keith Sutton and an a member of a German marketing firm.
Meanwhile, signed photographs of Fernando Alonso from his 2006 championship winning season is going for a “mere” £99 on Grand Prix Legends, while a Schumacher autograph on the same site is retailing for £299. Indeed, signed photo’s from Franz Tost and John Booth (team principals with Toro Rosso and Marussia respectively) fetched a higher price than Alonso’s signature.
© Sutton Images. Eddie Jordan and Scott Gorham, from the band Thin Lizzy at the Zoom Charity Auction for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
BRDC Formula 4 is to début in 2013.
Last week, the BRDC and MSV announced a new low cost junior driving category for 2013 – the BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
The news of yet another new series has been met with a healthy mix of positive interest, bewilderment and surprise, as the industry prepares to readjust to include the F4 package.
Although at times it may not seem like it, The Motorsport Archive is quite positive about the long term future of junior formula racing. However the benefits of adding another category to the mix, at a time when a more solidified structure is what is desperately needed are somewhat suspect in the short term.
This season has seen British Formula Ford struggling for numbers, while Formula Renault UK lingers temporarily off the map (although BARC Formula Renault is doing rather well for itself).
Just ahead of the F4 on the proposed ladder system, the Cooper Tyres British F3 Series locked onto 14-16 drivers during 2012, although that is expected to increase next year in light of a newer, cheaper engine package.
All this does make one wonder if there is enough of a market to justify the existence of another entry-level car series.
Despite of this, the series has noted that a large number of privateers have declared their interest in the 2013 season, with serious enquiries for more than 40 cars already registered.
Indeed, the new series has already signed up its first driver, with 15-year-old Scot Charlie Robertson signing on for the inaugural championship run. Robertson currently leads the Ginetta Junior championship in the UK and is enthused to move to single seaters for next season.
“BRDC F4 is the perfect next step for me after two seasons in Ginetta Juniors. With 175bhp, adjustable wings and paddle-shift gears, the F4-013 looks fantastic. The championship looks great too – with relatively low costs, three races each weekend and reverse grids to spice things up. I can’t wait!
Budgets for the F4 Championship have been quoted at £30-40,000 for a privateer entrant and £60-70,000 for a professional team, but while the series may have the right price on its side, does it offer enough in return?
Those taking part in the series will be fighting for a £25,000 scholarship prize and a day’s testing with Carlin, should they decide to step up to Formula 3, but when budgets for F3 can reach as high as £750,000, is such a scholarship enough to tempt emerging talent?
For example, champion drivers on the US Road to Indy programme receive full promotional scholarships to the next of racing. Even in Europe, the champion in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 receives a promotional scholarship of €200,000, while a Renault NEC champion will have their following year’s fees waved aside.
With that in mind, £25,000 ranks as a small – if worthy – prize, although that should not diminish what is on offer from the BRDC and MSV. Let’s not forget that they are not a global car manufacturer and, let’s face it, times are very tough in the UK.
Racecar Engineering’s Sam Collins raised a point about the lack of technological scope allotted for potential entrants and on this note, I must agree with the chap.
As a junior category, drivers should be there to learn about their cars, while also developing racing skills; however the latitude of technological adjustments allowed by the series appears to rather narrow.
Sealed engines and gearboxes, with fixed gear ratios and non-adjustable dampers may help to reduce the cost, but they may also deprive competitors of valuable experience beyond the driving seat.
As an aside, ride heights, tracking, cambers and castors are free to be optimised within specified limits, as are front and rear anti-roll bars and front / rear wings. Lastly, there is a choice of three front and rear springs. Engine supplier Cosworth will also provide data logging equipment, as well as data analysis software to help disseminate the information.
For an opposing approach, one could look to the French Formula 4 Series as promoted by the FFSA in conjunction with the Autosport Academy. It should be no surprise that the recent influx of French and Swiss drivers to Formula 1, GP2 and WEC are nearly all graduates of this programme.
The inaugural season of the BRDC F4 Championship is to consist of eight rounds, with seven events taking place at Donington Park (April), Brands Hatch (May and August), Snetterton (June and September), Oulton Park (July) and Silverstone (October). A yet to be confirmed meeting is pencilled in for June, although no venue has been revealed.
Race weekends will consist of three twenty-minute races from a single twenty-minute qualifying session*. Drivers wishing to participate in the series will require a minimum National B license, which can be obtained from the MSA via their ARDS programme.
As it stands, the BRDC F4 Championship has yet to obtain MSA approval; however The Motorsport Archive** does not believe this will be a significant barrier to overcome.
In conclusion, just make it simple – give drivers a tub, with wheels and engine and let them (with the help of engineers) tinker with it and work it out for themselves.
And then let them race.
*{note 1}
Qualifying will set the grid for race one. For the second race, the top eight of the race one results order will be reversed, formulating a partial reverse grid event. The grid for the final race will be based on driver’s individual fastest laps from the opening two races.
According to the series website, “…points will be scored from 30 for a win to 1 for 20th. The two worst results from races at events entered will be dropped from final championship points…”
**{note 2}
Before climbing out of the hole that I just dug for myself, I wish the organisers and competitors all the best and I’ll no doubt find myself at some of the rounds (although after this post, obtaining a press pass could prove somewhat difficult).
*** {note 3}
There was an interesting argument over the Monza weekend by GP2/3 world feed commentator Will Buxton, where he noted that the likes of Formula 2 or GP2 could easily be professional series’ in much the way F2 kind of was in the 60s and 70s.
In its co-billing with European GT Open, there is scope for Formula 2 to become a “professional” category, catering to those who are quality racers, but who are not good enough for F1. Of course, that will never happen…
Ginetta Juniors racer Charlie Robert is to be the first to graduate to BRDC F4.
© Ford of Europe.
A unique road legal Formula Ford racecar recently blasted its way into the record book at the fearsome Nordschleife.
With experienced racer Nick Tandy at the wheel and powered by Ford’s new 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine, the modified machine set the 11th fastest lap time around the 20.8 km circuit.
It’s best lap of 7 minutes 22 seconds averaged out at a speed of 105 mph – an impressive effort from both the engineering team and Tandy.
Bragging a top speed of nearly 159 mph, the junior single-seater even managed to lap the Nordschleife two seconds quicker than Ferrari’s 660hp Enzo, as well as the Lamborghini Aventador and Pagini Zonda.
The new for 2012 car was reconfigured at Dunton Design Centre in Essex, before being transferred to Dunton’s speedy test track for initial runs.
Following the project, the 28-year-old Tandy was delighted with the performance he drew from Ford’s 1.0 litre unit:
“It’s simply astonishing that a 3-cylinder, one-litre engine can deliver that kind of performance. This little engine has people rubbing their eyes in disbelief.”
Roeland de Waard – vice president of Marketing and Sales, Ford of Europe – was also rather pleased with the performance of the car:
“We wanted to prove that size doesn’t matter by showing everyone what an amazingly capable engine we have developed in the 1.0-litre EcoBoost. What better way than by beating some of the best supercars in the world on the Nordschleife, while using a fraction of the fuel.”
Additions to the machine included indicators, front and rear lights, wheel covers, wing mirrors, a horn (!) and a six-speed manual gearbox. A set of road legal Dunlop tyres were also fitted to the modified car.
The EcoBoost – slightly transformed to meet European road legal standards – also displayed some impressive fuel economy numbers for a racing machine, garnering 57 miles-per-gallon at a speed of 120 kph.
Named “International Engine of the Year” at the Engine Expo awards in Stuttgart in June, the three-cylinder motor is Ford’s engine of choice for their long-standing Focus range, as well as the soon to come C-Max and updated Fiesta models.
While this effort was indeed impressive, it comes during a season where the Dunlop British Formula Ford Series has struggled for numbers, with as few as eleven competitors appearing at the most recent round at Silverstone.
However, it is believed that plans to restructure the British Formula Ford Series will be announced soon in effort to reinvigorate the championship.
© Ford of Europe.
© Ford of Europe.
© Ford of Europe.
© Ford of Europe.
© Ford of Europe.
© GP3 Media Services.
It was close for Daniel Abt – far closer than anyone would have anticipated following qualifying.
Comfortable in himself, Mitch Evans took pole position and the four bonus points that come with it to lead into Saturday’s opening GP3 race.
For all intents and purposes, it should have been easier than it was. Rival apparent, Antonio Felix da Costa lingered a few rows behind, as did Aaro Vainio, while Abt had been assigned a bit part as the distant challenger.
Indeed Evans’ lead was sufficient enough for the Kiwi to not have to force the issue, but… where da Costa and Vainio fell away for various reasons; Abt rose to become the main protagonist.
The German could not overhaul Evans – he lost out by two points after trailing by 39 after qualifying, yet Abt’s spirit of determination won the weekend broadcasts.
Abt will be back, of that there is no doubt. From the teenager who threw away the lead at Macau in 2010 to the young man who took the GP3 Series to Evans, Abt has grown into an exciting young driver. And a threatening one.
—-
Race One
An ecstatic Daniel Abt (Lotus) took his second GP3 race win in the space of a week, beating the defiant Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor), Aaro Vainio (Lotus) and Mattias Laine (MW Arden) to the flag.
Abt’s success ensured the Lotus team secured their third successive GP3 crown.
Starting 7th, the German had already nabbed three spots before the opening tour was complete and had soon displaced David Fumanelli as well. With slipstreaming a priority at Monza, Abt drafted beyond Laine (lap 3) and then early race leader Antonio Felix da Costa
Da Costa would prove a far tougher prospect – the Portuguese racer engaged Abt in a shortlived battle, fending off the feisty German until lap seven, when the Carlin driver suffered a gearbox issue – he did continue, but finished 15th.
From there, Vainio pressed Abt hard, only for the Finn to be taken by the charging Ellinas, yet despite his obvious speed, Ellinas could not find a way past.
Ellinas continued home to 2nd – his first podium of the season; however Vainio would lose his 3rd spot immediately after the race, when stewards judged that he had ignored yellow flags on the final lap. Vainio received a 20 second penalty, dropping him to 11th and promoting Laine to the final podium position.
Conor Daly won a titanic seven-car battle to finish 4th. The American lingered in the second tier pack for much of the event, only rising to the front with Patric Niederhauser in the late stages, with Daly pipping Niederhauser by only 0.5 seconds at the flag.
The pairing still had to keep their feet to the floor right up to the death. Behind them, Fumanelli (MW Arden, 6th), Marlon Stockinger (Status GP, 7th), Giovanni Venturini (Trident, 8th), Tamas Pa’l Kiss (Atech CRS, 9th) and Will Buller (Carlin, 10th) all crossed the line covered by a mere 1.841 seconds in a classic slipstreaming battle.
Championship leader Mitch Evans retired on the second lap, after he heavily damaged his car jumping the kerbs at turn one.
2012 GP3 Round of Monza (Rd 8, Race 1, 16 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Daniel Abt Lotus 28m17.548s
2. Tio Ellinas Manor + 0.349s
3. Mattias Laine MW Arden + 1.881s
4. Conor Daly Lotus + 14.108s
5. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 14.602s
6. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 16.401s
7. Marlon Stockinger Status + 16.750s
8. Giovanni Venturini Trident + 16.836s
9. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 17.712s
10. Will Buller Carlin + 18.242s
11. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 0.593s*
12. Alice Powell Status + 26.101s
13. Kevin Ceccon Ocean + 28.448s
14. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 28.795s
15. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 29.375s
16. Vicky Piria Trident + 34.411s
17. John Wartique Atech CRS + 46.207s
18. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS + 51.238s
19. Lewis Williamson Status + 1m00.707s
20. Robert Cregan Ocean + 1m01.569s
21. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 1m30.934s
Retirements:
Dmitry Suranovich Manor 14 laps
Alex Brundle Carlin 10 laps
Mitch Evans MW Arden 1 lap
Fabiano Machado Manor 1 lap
*20-second post race penalty for ignoring yellow flags.
(Race Two)
A late move by Ellinas on Abt ensured the 2012 GP3 title would be heading the way of Evans.
From the fourth row, Ellinas peeled his way through the order, initially taking Laine and Niederhauser before the one-third mark. Brief battles with Stöckinger and Fumanelli brought Ellinas to the tail of the top three and into a catfight for the lead.
The Cypriot had dispatched Venturini by the 11th tour, but the Trident racer – unwilling to give – pressed Ellinas hard.
Abt, meanwhile, only possessed a two-tenths advantage over Ellinas as they completed lap 12, with Venturini a further half-second behind and while the latter would ultimately not press for the lead, the fight between the leading pair intensified. Ellinas made his first move on lap 13, sliding by Abt at the Variante del Roggia, only for the Lotus man to respond in kind a lap later.
Entering the penultimate lap, Abt and Ellinas drew close together, almost banging wheels through the Variante Rettifilo; however Ellinas would finally nail Abt – again at the Roggia – to secure his first GP3 win.
There was little else the disconsolate Abt could do – his tyres had simply passed their best – and with 2nd place in the race, the Lotus racer settled for 2nd in the GP3 Series points standings.
Despite starting the weekend as a distant outsider, Abt came within two-points of displacing Evans at the top – Ellinas’ lap 15 move cost the German racer three points…
It was in an early battle with Venturini that Abt most likely used the best of his tyres. Lining up on pole, the Italian kept the tricky Fumanelli at bay, before engaging Abt’s rearward assault.
Venturini eventually dropped behind the determined Abt on the sixth circulation of the circuit, falling to 3rd when he succumbed to Ellinas’ charge. The Italian did close back up to Abt during the final laps, but could not demote the German racer.
The Ellinas / Abt / Venturini fight allowed Stöckinger to close in once again, but it was too little too late for the Status GP man, who crossed the line just three-tenths shy of the podium.
Da Costa took a hard fought 5th ahead of Laine (6th) and Visoiu (7th), although the Portuguese racer came close to being wiped out by a battling Vainio and Evans at the midpoint. Along with Buller, da Costa banged wheels and had a few narrow escapes as Vainio held Evans at bay.
Outbraking each other at the Roggia, Evans and Vainio pummelled the kerbs, effectively finishing their challenges – emerging unscathed, da Costa continued to a top five finish. Vainio dropped to 12th, while Evans – hammered by a puncture – took 20th place; a champion regardless.
Alice Powell claimed the final point’s place of the year, ensuring her first score and the first point for a lady in the GP3 Series. Powell, who has displayed improved race form in recent rounds, surged ahead of Kevin Ceccon (9th), Alex Brundle (10th), Conor Daly (11th – thanks to an early off) in the second half of the race to lead a group covered by only 1.741 seconds.
2012 GP3 Round of Monza (Rd 8, Race 2, 16 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Tio Ellinas Manor 28m18.541s
2. Daniel Abt Lotus + 1.003s
3. Giovanni Venturini Trident + 1.408s
4. Marlon Stockinger Status + 1.715s
5. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 7.377s
6. Matias Laine MW Arden + 8.488s
7. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 8.968s
8. Alice Powell Status + 14.383s
9. Kevin Ceccon Ocean + 14.416s
10. Alex Brundle Carlin + 15.535s
11. Conor Daly Lotus + 16.124s
12. Will Buller Carlin + 18.964s
13. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 24.392s
14. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 27.489s
15. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 30.682s
16. Fabiano Machado Manor + 36.048s
17. Robert Cregan Ocean + 36.116s
18. John Wartique Atech CRS + 38.365s
19. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 1m08.753s
20. Mitch Evans MW Arden + 1m29.894s
Retirements:
Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 7 laps
Vicky Piria Trident 2 laps
Lewis Williamson Status 0 laps
Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 0 laps
Dmitry Suranovich Manor 0 laps
2012 GP3 Series (final point standings) Drivers' Championship Pos Driver Points 1. Mitch Evans 151.5 2. Daniel Abt 149.5 3. Antonio Felix da Costa 132 4. Aaro Vainio 123 5. Mattias Laine 111 6. Conor Daly 106 7. Patric Niederhauser 101 8. Tio Ellinas 97 9. Kevin Ceccon 56 10. Marlon Stockinger 55 Teams Championship Pos Team Points 1. Lotus GP 378.5 2. MW Arden 309.5 3. Carlin 171 4. Jenzer 133.5 5. Marussia Manor 97
People often talk about legends in motorsport. Today, the motorsport world lost one of the greatest of them all – yet not a driver.
Professor Sid Watkins, you were a gentlemen and a saviour during a dark time in motorsport. I met him last year and had a brief chat about how far safety had come in modern motor racing and how now drivers step out once life threatening shunt.
The Prof was quaint and polite, putting up with my somewhat awestruck ramblings.
Remarkable person. The Prof will be sorely, sorely missed.
Luiz Razia cuts the shape of a rather pre-occupied gentleman – with some good reason too.
Following tough weekends at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, the Brazilian heads to the final round of the 2012 GP2 Series 25 points shy of rival Davide Valsecchi.
That the pair clashed at the beginning of last Sunday’s Sprint Race at Spa-Francorchamps did not help matters, but it was an innocent accident that took both out of any realistic contention for points
A further collision at Monza – this time with Fabio Leimer – served only to make Razia’s far tougher. Indeed, the final round at Singapore could prove vital to the Brazilian’s future as he fights for the biggest prize he has ever contested.
No doubt Razia has other things on his mind today. The 23-year-old is busy testing with Force India at Magny Cours today in Formula One’s second young driver test of 2012, although he has stated he has not thought of what he will be doing in 2013, the thought must surely linger.
Recently, I found the Arden racer tucked away in the lower reaches of the Spa-Francorchamps paddock, waiting for his next contest with Valsecchi. We spent a few minutes together to discuss the current title fight, Brazilians in motorsport and maturity behind the wheel.
—-
The Motorsport Archive: After the opening few rounds, it appeared as if the GP2 Series might be heading Davide [Valsecchi’s] way. Since then, you’ve clawed back the gap, lead for a time [but are now in arrears} – is there something within yourself or the team that has changed to help your title chances?
Luiz Razia: Our team started very strong, as Davide’s had as well, so when we found ourselves more than thirty points behind, we had some issues. They were addressed and we did improve from the middle [of the season] to now in Spa – I think we collect[ed] as many points as we could and think the team have done a fantastic job to this point and I also took every opportunity that we had to score points.
Obviously Valsecchi had some bad luck in some races where he could have collected some points and he didn’t – that’s how we went and sometimes things go around because now I’m starting today in 19th and he is P6 [Razia eventually finished 6th to Valsecchi’s 3rd] and today is a challenge for us, as it was for him in other races, so sometimes stuff like that can catch us.TMA: Consistency has probably been one of the hallmarks of your season so far. Could you describe the method of this consistency against situations where you have to think about all out attack – like today for example?
LR: It is a work of the team. The whole team put in a lot of effort about decisions we are going to make, what strategies we are going to take and going for the championship, we have different tasks at each race.
If you think about today, the task is to arrive in the top ten to score more points. If we were in a better position, the strategy would be different, so it is about adapting every time for each situation we are in.
Because we cannot change [situations], we can just change from now on, so the team and I have just been working on the moment.TMA: From the outside, it appears that there is a more mature Luiz Razia this year – something made apparent by your cool victory at Valencia for example. Is it something that you feel within yourself and if so, has it reshaped your approach to race weekends and the championship?
LR: To be honest, I‘ve been working with my engineer for two years, so there’s a good connection between ourselves, but also I’ve collected a lot of experience during my race career and it’s now putting everything together.
Some races this season have been very good and in a way fantastic, because we plan a lot before and this is something that I achieved and something that Arden achieved. We plan for so much that is possible to happen and we have a way of thinking how we can approach each situation an it’s not just my way of working, but also how we work together.TMA: We’ve seen over the years, with the likes of Felipe Massa and Rubens Barrichello in Formula One, that there is an expectation for Brazilians to achieve success in motorsport. Is this a pressure that you feel yourself or is it something that hasn’t penetrated as much?
LR: There is a lot of pressure for every Brazilian driver that comes to the situation that I am in now, but I do what I like. I race because I like to race and because it is my passion and I race for myself.
If I can be champion, then it is going to be Luiz Razia who is champion and not something to boost hopes and dreams for Brazilian drivers. Nobody’s really helping me here and I’m doing everything alone, so I would enjoy it just myself.TMA: What do you feel you need to do now to wrap up the 2012 GP2 Series title?
LR: Just to keep the consistency that we had for the whole season. Hopefully this weekend we can turn around the plates, but scoring points is the target.
The GP2 Series head-to-head continues next weekend at Singapore’s Marina Bay, where Razia will be hoping to overhaul Valsecchi’s steep advantage. But Singapore is unknown territory for both drivers – this indeed may go right to the wire…
© Zoom / Lewis Hamilton
So often the subjects of motorsport related artwork, Formula One turns the tables on the art world this Friday with the launch of “Zoom”; an innovative new project in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity.
Conceived by Formula One journalist and business analyst Christian Sylt, “Zoom” delivers a concept very new to Formula One – a photographic exhibition shot by some of the category’s top drivers and personnel.
With over fifty shots in the collection, the exhibition candidly documents many unseen special moments and subjects from the world of Formula One, whether they be in or out of the cockpit.
Opening at the Wyndham Grand on London’s Chelsea Harbour, “Zoom” takes some of the world’s fastest drivers and places them behind the camera for this unique initiative.
Every shot in the collection has been signed by the photographer in question and all will be put up for auctioned off from 7:45pm (on Friday) by motorsport specialists, Coys. All proceeds from the auction will go towards Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity – the official charity of the British Grand Prix.
Included in the collection are candid shots of Lewis Hamilton looking out from his McLaren MP4-27, Sebastian Vettel relaxing in the Alps and Bruno Senna’s favourite beach setting, amongst many, many others.
This incredible collection goes some way to shedding light upon the lives of some of motorsport’s most talented and diverse individuals beyond the confines cockpit and paddock and reminds us all that those within the sport are real people, rather than personalities competing in wild machinery at a distance.
Reflecting upon the exhibition, Sylt noted:
“…a while ago it occurred to me that although there are lots of charity auctions of signed photos of F1 drivers and their cars, it would be far more interesting to turn the tables and auction signed pictures that the drivers had taken.”
Having worked closely with Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone for many years, Sylt also secured the backing of the former-Brabham boss.
“I approached Bernie with the idea and he gave it his full support and official backing. I then got Great Ormond Street Hospital involved and Coys agreed to handle the auction. All of F1’s drivers and team bosses have taken photos which have been printed and are being signed by them before being auctioned by Coys with all proceeds going to Great Ormond Street”
Due to rising international interest in the collection, Zoom have partnered with sports event management company, Influence Ltd, with the aim to incorporate a bidding system into their website so that fans and interested parties around the world may also bid for items.
In addition, the exhibition and auction will be filmed by Sky Sports for a feature to be broadcast at the end of this month. Publishing group Dennis will also be producing a coffee table book of the collection with a release date to be announced soon.
For more information regarding Zoom and this auction in particular, check out their website at zoom-auction.com or visit Influence Ltd at influenceltd.com
© Zoom / Sebastian Vettel
© Zoom / Murray Walker
© Zoom / Adrian Newey
© SRO.
After race stewards took Alex Lynn’s first British F3 win away yesterday evening, the Fortec man won again at Silverstone today ahead of Jazeman Jaafar, doing so in specular style. This time, there were no mistakes.
Harry Tincknell fought off a determined Hannes van Asseldonk to assume the last podium position.
Starting on pole, Lynn ran wide at the exit of Copse allowing not only Jaafar through, but also Tincknell and Carlos Sainz Jr.
The Essex born Lynn was not content to simply sit in the order, as he forced his way beyond Sainz Jr (lap 2) and Tincknell (lap 3) before chasing after Jaafar.
It would not be for another thirteen laps before Lynn to finally get by the Malaysian for the lead, but in the meantime Lynn pressed Jaafar repeatedly, ensuring the gap remained around the four-tenths mark.
Despite the pressure from behind, Jaafar held the gap for the most part until Lynn made the decisive move down the inside of Brooklands three laps from the end.
For Jaafar, the race was a mixture of disappointment and relief. While the Malaysian was somewhat downbeat after losing the victory, Jaafar came away from the weekend with some positives.
Tincknell was grimly relieved to come away with 3rd. Much like the leading pair, the 20-year-old enjoyed a tense fight with first Sainz Jr and then van Asseldonk.
Once Lynn has passed Tincknell, the Carlin racer held the attentions of Sainz Jr in check, until the Spaniard was himself overtaken by invigorated van Asseldonk. The Dutch racer was not interested in the slightest by a 4th place finish and repeatedly reminded Tincknell of that fact.
After a few nervy moments, Tincknell locked down, solidifying a confidence building podium spot.
For van Asseldonk, the points were welcome, bolstered by a performance that showed precisely what he can do when everything goes his way. Sainz Jr meanwhile fell to a 5th place limbo – too distant to threaten van Asseldonk’s charge, yet not overly pushed by Pietro Fantin (Carlin, 6th).
It marked another somewhat anonymous weekend for the Spaniard, whose performances have ping-ponged throughout the season. There’s consistency there somewhere to go with the natural talent; it just needs to be discovered and nurtured.
Sadly, the battle for 7th and 8th may go some distance to deciding the championship fight. Fought out between title protagonists Jack Harvey and Felix Serralles, there was more to this race than Jaafar merely extending his points lead.
The Puerto Rican Serralles ran 6th early on, battling with van Asseldonk for honours when a spin dropped him to 8th behind Harvey. For the next sixteen laps, Serralles clung to the rear of Harvey, forcing the issue at every opportunity. Several times, the Fortec racer came close to slipping past the Racing Steps Foundation driver at either Copse or Brooklands, only to have the door closed each time by.
Serralles finally extracted the position from Harvey on the final lap, diving through at Copse; however an incident two laps earlier marred any celebrations when Harvey went wheel-to-wheel with Serralles in Copse, with the latter clattering the kerbs hard.
Getting slightly airborne over the rumble strips, Serralles came down hard, bruising his coccyx in the landing. Sheer adrenaline kept the 20-year-old going for the final two laps, but in Parc Ferme the pain on Serralles’ face was telling as pain shot through his lower back.
Just behind the fighting duo, Rupert Svendsen-Cook grabbed 9th and another couple of points, showing that there is some speed in that Double R car when good driver gets behind the wheel…
Geoff Uhrhane grabbed the final point thanks to a long coming move on an asleep Pipo Derani on lap 14. Nick McBride ended the day 12th, not far down the road from the National Class trio, led by Spike Goddard.
Duvashen Padayachee and Pedro Pablo Calbimonte rounded out the fifteen runners.
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, race 3) Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Alex Lynn Fortec Dallara-Merc 39m03.812s 2. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin Dallara-VW + 1.810s 3. Harry Tincknell Carlin Dallara-VW + 11.877s 4. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Dallara-Merc + 12.262s 5. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin Dallara-VW + 15.666s 6. Pietro Fantin Carlin Dallara-VW + 18.939s 7. Felix Serralles Fortec Dallara-Merc + 25.656s 8. Jack Harvey Carlin Dallara-VW + 28.503s 9. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R Dallara-Merc + 28.947s 10. Geoff Uhrhane Double R Dallara-Merc + 35.071s 11. Pipo Derani Fortec Dallara-Merc + 48.679s 12. Nick McBride T-Sport Dallara-Nissan + 48.923s 13. Spike Goddard T-Sport Dallara-Mugen* + 49.429s 14. Duvashen Padayachee Double R Dallara-Mugen* + 49.994s 15. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport Dallara-Mugen* + 51.057s
2012 British F3 Championship (Round 9, race 3) International Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Jazeman Jaafar 282 2. Felix Serralles 276 3. Jack Harvey 259 4. Carlos Sainz Jr 226 5. Alex Lynn 226 6. Harry Tincknell 193 7. Pietro Fantin 173 8. Pipo Derani 119 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 113 10. Nick McBride 81 National Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Spike Goddard 388 2. Duvashen Padayachee 345 3. Adderly Fong 161 4. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte 82
© SRO.
Carlin Motorsport’s Jack Harvey has been hit with a 30-second post-race penalty following a collision with Pipo Derani on the opening lap of this morning’s race.
After running most of the opening tour in 2nd spot, Harvey dived past Derani at Brooklands and was adjudged to have forced the Brazilian off the road. The pair collided, with Derani retiring with a bent track rod on his left front.
The clash delayed Harvey, who was passed by title rival Felix Serralles, who went on to win by 0.4 seconds. Harvey’s other championship challenger – Jazeman Jaafar – came home 3rd, thereby deepening the effect of Harvey’s stinging penalty.
The added time drops Harvey from 2nd to 12th place, losing the Lincolnshire man a bundle of points.
On top of his time penalty, Harvey was also hit with a 5-place grid drop for the weekend’s final race, ensuring he will have start from 8th on the grid.
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 2, 10 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time / Gap
1. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 19:33.909
2. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen +3.062
3. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volkswagen +3.479
4. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes +3.921
5. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes +10.939
6. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin-Volkswagen +16.011
7. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes +18.888
8. Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes +19.006
9. Nick McBride T-Sport ThreeBond-Nissan +19.544
10. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda +20.878
11. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda +22.690
12. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen +30.396
13. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen +32.224
Retirements
Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda +6 laps
Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes +7 laps
2012 British F3 Rnd of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 2) International Class Pos Driver Points 1. Felix Serralles 272 2. Jazeman Jaafar 267 3. Jack Harvey 256 4. Carlos Sainz Jr 218 5. Alex Lynn 205 6. Harry Tincknell 181 7. Pietro Fantin 167 8. Pipo Derani 119 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 103 10. Nick McBride 81 National Class Pos Driver Points 1. Spike Goddard 367 2. Duvashen Padayachee 330 3. Adderly Fong 161 4. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte 70
© SRO.
Felix Serralles took victory in an action packed British Formula 3 sprint race at Silverstone this morning.
The Fortec racer kept ahead of Carlin duo Jack Harvey and Jazeman Jaafar, earning the Puerto Rican a narrow two-point advantage over Harvey.
In a sense, the race fell toward Serralles. Starting 3rd on the grid, Serralles held the spot until Harvey and poleman Pipo Derani clashed at Brooklands on the opening lap, gifting the lead to the 20-year-old from Central America.
Derani suffered terminal damage to his left front suspension, while Harvey lost another spot to Alex Lynn while in recovery.
From there, Serralles maintained a nervous lead from Lynn and Harvey, with the gap rarely extending beyond half-a-second; however it so nearly came a cropper for the leading pair on the penultimate lap.
Round the loop, Serralles ran wide and off, while Lynn spun in an attempt to avoid his Fortec teammate – somehow the ultra keen Harvey threaded his way through the melee unscathed.
Keeping his composure, Serralles escaped from the slide with the lead still in tact; the same could not be said for Lynn who watched helplessly as Harvey, Jaafar, Pietro Fantin (Carlin) and Rupert Svendsen-Cook (Double R) all flew by.
Despite this, Harvey could not steal the lead from Serralles, who would draw a 0.4 seconds gap come the chequered flag.
Lynn meanwhile found himself locked in 6th spot, too far behind Svendsen-Cook to make any late gains and too far ahead of Carlos Sainz Jr to feel threatened.
For Jaafar, the Malaysian cut his way through the field, thanks in part to a stunning start from the fifth row. A move on teammate Fantin brought the Carlin racer to 4th, before picking up the last podium when Lynn fell off.
Fantin held close to Jaafar for the duration, while also holding Svendsen-Cook behind, although the Double R racer scythed by the Brazilian on the penultimate tour at Stowe, only to be aggressively retaken several corners later – a move that rather annoyed the returning Svendsen-Cook.
Sainz Jr drove a rather anonymous race to claim 7th place, ahead of Hannes van Asseldonk (Fortec). Following a mechanical failure in yesterday’s race that caused van Asseldonk some heating issues in his nether regions, the Dutch racer shot off the line, rising from 15th to 10th in one lap.
With Derani out and Harry Tincknell receiving a drive through penalty (he was out of position on the starting grid), van Asseldonk assumed 8th place. Tincknell trailed home 13th, unable to make amends for his startline error.
Geoff Uhrhane led Nick McBride home to 9th and 10th, while Duvashen Padayachee ended the 11th and the winner of the National Class. Spike Goddard drove to 12th, while Pedro Pablo Calbimonte came home 14th following a mid-race spin.
[Results to follow…]
© SRO.
Jazeman Jaafar claimed a key British Formula 3 victory at Silverstone today after original victor Alex Lynn received a post-race penalty.
Jack Harvey was also penalised for a jump-start, falling from 3rd to 8th. The penalties promoted Carlos Sainz Jr to 2nd, while Harry Tincknell completed the reconfigured podium.
Lynn took the flag well clear of his Malaysian rival; however the Fortec racer was adjudged to have jumped the start, earning a 30 second penalty as a result, demoting the Essex man to 4th.
It was a deeply unfortunate outcome for Lynn who had otherwise dominated the proceedings. From there, the Fortec racer casually pulled away from Jaafar; extending his lead by up to one second per lap, eventually ending the contest 10.5 seconds clear.
Prior to the penalties being issued, Jaafar was not best pleased after the race. Aside from fuming at Lynn’s getaway, the Malaysian enjoyed brief fight to keep Sainz Jr at bay on the opening tour; however the Spaniard’s attack was quickly subdued and Jaafar settled into 2nd.
Indeed, Sainz Jr was the focus of much of the race’s action. The son of the rally World Champion endured a rearguard battle from Harvey from early on, yet every time the series leader came to within a few tenths of Sainz, the dreaded aerodynamic disturbance took effect.
Following several aborted attempts, Harvey drew alongside Sainz Jr on the final tour at Luffield, forcing his way by. As the circuit switched and turned into Woodcote, Harvey grabbed the inside line, edging ahead of Sainz Jr by a mere 0.057 seconds at the line; however it mattered little.
Harry Tincknell was promoted to 4th, but was not in the same league as the front pack. The Englishman battled with Fortec’s Pipo Derani in the early laps; however this was neutralised when the Brazilian received a drive through penalty for a pre-race infringement*.
With Derani removed, Tincknell spent the rest of the race keeping (Carlin’s) Pietro Fantin at bay, while Formula 3 returnee Rupert Svendsen-Cook (Double R) lingered in the near distance.
It was horror race for title challenger Felix Serralles. The Puerto Rican stalled momentarily at the race start, demoting him to the rear of the field.
A charging run from Serralles ensured he easily swept by the National Class trio, before finally assuming 8th when Geoff Uhrhane and Nick McBride removed each the running on the final lap. Harvey’s penalty promoted Serralles to 7th.
Derani’s 9th place finish garnered the Brazilian two points and reverse grid pole for tomorrow’s short opening race.
Spike Goddard won the National Class and took 10th overall, after he pulled away from Pedro Pablo Calbimonte (T-Sport, 11th) and Duvashen Padayachee (Double R, 12th).
Hannes van Asseldonk retired when he felt a burning sensation underneath his buttocks (an engine problem).
{* note 1}
Two of Derani’s mechanics remained on the grid after the two-minute mark on the grip, earning the Brazilian a drive-through penalty.
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 1)
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 29:02.367
2. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin-Volkswagen 29:10.267
3. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 29:18.746
4. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 29:21.808
5. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volkswagen 29:22.745
6. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 29:23.273
7. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 29:25.803
8. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 29:40.210
9. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 29:41.187
10. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 29:45.351
11. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 29:47.437
12. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 29:51.689
Retirements
Nick McBride T-Sport ThreeBond-Nissan +1 lap
Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes +1 lap
Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes +9 laps
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 1) International Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Jack Harvey 255 2. Felix Serralles 252 3. Jazeman Jaafar 252 4. Carlos Sainz Jr 212 5. Alex Lynn 197 6. Harry Tincknell 181 7. Pietro Fantin 153 8. Pipo Derani 119 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 99 10. Nick McBride 79 National Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Spike Goddard 352 2. Duvashen Padayachee 309 3. Adderly Fong 161 4. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte 70
© GP2 Series Media Service
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that it is twenty-one years since Ayrton Senna’s third and final title.
Following in the footsteps of rival Nelson Piquet and mentor Emerson Fittipaldi, Senna commanded an incredibly successful period for Brazil in Formula One that saw eight titles go the way of Brazilian drivers over the next two decades.
Since Senna’s untimely death at Imola in May 1994, the country has not had a world champion. Drivers have come and gone – most notably Rubens Barrichello, while others linger on (Felipe Massa) and some disappear in a cloud of controversy (see Nelson Piquet Jr.).
GP2 rookie and 2011 British Formula 3 Champion Felipe Nasr is hoping to turn the tide and the 20-year-old from Brasilia may find himself in a prime position to do so in the coming years. Nasr even took a podium at the Daytona 24 Hour Race at the beginning of the year, showcasing a maturity and versatility that goes beyond his years.
Always patient, ready to learn and methodical in his approach, Nasr looks like a driver ready setting himself up for a GP2 Series title challenge next year, but first there is 2012 to complete.
By Sunday afternoon at Spa-Francorchamps, Nasr seemed content and happy with his weekend’s work, as he sat waiting for the Grand Prix to begin, although he won’t tell me who he wants to win the race…
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The Motorsport Archive: Congratulations on your 2nd place in [Sunday’s] Sprint Race. Starting pole, it was not the result you may have wanted.
Felipe Nasr: Basically, because we had problems on the clutch yesterday, we had to put on a new clutch for today, which is quite hard to get the right feeling just before the race. You’ve never tested the clutch before, so that was the case of having a bad start, but it was done. It was critical and lost a few places there and quickly understood that the leaders had a better pace in the initial part of the race, so I just started looking after my tyres, which paid off.
TMA: That was something that definitely came across from the outside. At what point did you think “time to move up the gear”?
FN: In the last eight laps, I started picking up the pace and now it was time to push again and it was definitely worth doing, because we are comparing to different cars, different teams with different set-ups – they were more aggressive in the initial [laps] and middle of the race, so in the end I just saw the two guys struggling on tyres and that was quite good for my car because it was about keeping the car quite smooth and taking care of the tyres and I was shortening the gap.
TMA: You had a battle with Calado late on – a battle that you won, but it must be frustrating to have dropped too far behind [race winner Josef] Kral.
FN: I saw Calado really struggling, we had a few battles there in the last laps, so it was a good move then. As I had done yesterday, I waited for the last corner and it was a matter of having better traction and positioning the car right, but it was tough work, because Calado is a good fighter. He doesn’t let things go easily.
In the end, it was good to score points in both races. Of course I think the win must be very close right now, there are a few details that we need to work on, but it’s good to be back on the podium. I’m happy.TMA: That must have given you some satisfaction, because that last lap and a bit, even though Calado’s tyres were gone, you could see he was still fighting very, very much.
FN: That’s Calado. He’s one of the harder guys to overtake; he doesn’t let it go easy, but if it’s fair then it’s fine. It was a good battle; inside the car it was good. That’s racing; it’s a good feeling.
TMA: With regards to being able to save the tyres, something I’ve got the impression of in the last few years (in Formula 3 and BMW) that you seem to have a very methodical approach. How have you been able to utilise this with DAMS?
FN: It was a good learning this year. I’ve learned a lot – it’s a huge step coming from Formula 3. I had to learn how to drive this car, get used to the carbon brakes, the tyres, manage the degradation, so it’s a lot of things at once that you have to learn, so I could definitely see throughout the year the progression is clear.
It’s a shame that we didn’t get a win yet, because we had a few opportunities to get them, but also we had problems in the car which let me down a few times, but in the end it’s motor raving. You take profit of the experience you learn, but I’m the kind of guy that really studies the race I’m doing.
If I have to attack I will, if I have the car for the last five laps and I need to save the tyres and look after who is around and manage the situation well, so I think it’s a good combination with the team. I really feel they have a car that that looks after the tyres, so maybe it’s not as aggressive as the others who have a strong first ten laps and start to drop off, but in our case we have a strong car for the end.TMA: When you look back, would it be much of a drawback if you didn’t get that win or can you take positives from the points and podiums you’ve scored?
FN: Still with two rounds to go I will do my best – I want to push the team to really take this win, but if it doesn’t happen then I know that we did our best and I would be happy to go home like this. A win is really deserved; not only for me, but for the team – we’ve been working hard; we know a few times they have been quite surprised by a few mechanical problems in the car which really destroyed a few races.
Sometimes we could’ve started on pole, or been on the podium many times and fighting for the win, but in the end we tried our best, so we will see at the end. We have Monza, which is a track I know from BMW and Formula 3 and Singapore, which I’m only one of the few that know the circuit, because I raced with BMW Asia there, so I’m really looking forward and I will push until the end.
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Felipe Nasr may well finally take that win before the year is out, but one thing is certain, the Brazilian has made an impressive mark this year. Nasr starts today’s GP2 Feature Race from 10th on the grid.
Whether that becomes a title charge in 2013 depends on him.
© SRO.
Fortec Motorsport rookie Alex Lynn scored his first British Formula 3 pole position at Silverstone this morning.
A stunning lap from the Essex born racer in the final minutes of the session took his beyond the reaches of Carlin rivals Jazeman Jaafar and Jack Harvey.
From spending much of the session lingering around the top five, Lynn pulled together a stunning lap after twenty-seven minutes to drag himself three-tenths clear of danger.
Lynn – last year’s Formula Renault UK champion – has displayed a great deal of speed on a number of occasions this season; however up until today, pole had eluding the 18-year-old.
Championship challenger Jaafar headed much of the session and while he will not covet the top spot, the Malaysian does at least start ahead of points leader Harvey.
Carlos Sainz Jr took 4th place in his Carlin, as he aims to hold onto his top four championship position. Behind him, Harry Tincknell (Carlin, 5th) and Hannes van Asseldonk (Fortec, 6th) will line up on the third row of the grid.
It proved to a disappointing morning for Harvey’s other title rival Felix Serralles (Fortec). After ending yesterday’s practice over one second off the pace, the Puerto Rican struggled to climb the order this morning, solidifying 7th on the grid.
Alongside Serralles is Pietro Fantin (Carlin) – another driver who has endured his fair share of troubles this season.
Rupert Svendsen-Cook’s return to British F3* was not an easy one. Replacing the lacklustre Fahmi Ilyas at Double R, the Briton struggled to garner ultimate pace from the Mercedes-powered machine, dropping to 9th as the chequered flag flew.
It was a disappointing result for Svendsen-Cook, who had taken a top three position during Friday practice.
Behind Svendsen-Cook, were Pipo Derani (Fortec, 10th) and Nick McBride (T-Sport, 11th). Geoff Uhrhane had initially qualified 11th, but his best time was deleted post-qualifying after the Double R man had breached the track limits on his best lap – he now starts 12th.
Spike Goddard claimed the National Class pole and 13th overall for T-Sport. The Australian kept himself ahead of class rivals Pedro Pablo Calbimonte and Duvashen Padayachee for the duration of the session.
Lynn also took top spot for the opening race with Jaafar, Harvey and Sainz Jr in arrears; however van Asseldonk got the better of Tincknell. Serralles also starts 7th after pipping Fantin, while Svendsen-Cook (9th), Derani (10th), McBride (11th) and Uhrhane (12th) complete the International Class field.
Goddard also claimed pole in the National Class for race one – the Australian possesses a two-tenths advantage over Calbimonte with Padayachee another two-tenths adrift.
2012 British F3 round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Qualifying Race 1) Pos Driver Team Time/Gap 1. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 1:53.802 2. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 1:53.993 3. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.024 4. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.040 5. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.194 6. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.330 7. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.602 8. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.690 9. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 1:54.747 10. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.854 11. Nick McBride T-Sport-ThreeBond Nissan 1:54.956 12. Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes 1:55.096 13. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:56.604 14. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:56.894 15. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 1:57.039 2012 British F3 round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Qualifying Race 3) Pos Driver Team Time/Gap 1. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 1:53.680 2. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 1:53.987 3. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.008 4. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.025 5. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.121 6. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.162 7. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.516 8. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volkswagen 1:54.573 9. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 1:54.685 10. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 1:54.731 11. Nick McBride T-Sport-ThreeBond Nissan 1:54.937 12. Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes 1:55.023 13. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:56.420 14. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 1:56.794 15. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 1:56.962
The GP3/13. © Daniel Kalisz/LAT Photographic
The second generation GP3 car was launched to the world’s media at Monza yesterday evening.
Titled the GP3/13, it will be replacing the GP3/10 chassis following three years of service in the category.
As well as a new car, the engine package has also been beefed up, with the new motor boasting an impressive 400 bhp, compared to 280 bhp utilised by the category’s first generation model.
Oh and the GP3/13 sounds better. Far, far, far better than the previous model. You can hear this machine and like it at the same time.
At the launch in Monza yesterday, the GP3/13 was fired up by MW Arden team principal and Formula One driver Mark Webber in front of a specially gathered audience.
The new car represents an interesting move for the GP3 Series, as it aims to take its first step away from a technically crowded sector amidst single seater racing.
Also modified have been the nose section, sidepods and engine cover; all of which have designed to make the GP3/13 a far more enjoyable challenge machine than its predecessor.
It is also believed the boost in power and aerodynamic efficiency will bring the category further in line with the long established GP2 Series.
Despite the extra power and aero mods, it is thought the car will command the same price tag – a subject that has garnered great relevance in recent years, as sponsors scraper and economies continue to struggle.
Surrounded by a number of junior category formulae that all run from 180 bhp to approximately 280 bhp, the GP3/13 signifies a welcome departure from the pack.
Like the previous machine, the new car will be in service for three seasons, with slots for nine teams being made available for tender.
Teams whose applications are successful can either two of three drivers – a continuation of the relaxed regulations that were introduced at the beginning of the year to help teams facing huge financial burdens. GP3’s relationship with Pirelli continues unaltered.
Bruno Michel (GP3 Series CEO):
“I am very proud of this new generation car. Our main objective was to make sure that GP3 remains the best way to prepare young drivers for the next steps, GP2 and F1, which is why we designed a more powerful and more selective car that – among other things reduces, the gap between GP3 and GP2.
“In order to do so, we carefully assessed the different single seater categories below GP2 and took into account observations from our drivers and teams. We’re convinced that the way we’ve positioned the GP3/13 is the right one for the next three seasons.
“Even if the car has evolved quite a lot, the costs will be almost similar to what they were before. That was key. The teams will not have to buy a new car. We will provide them with a development kit. It was quite a challenge seeing how the aerodynamics and the engine are different. And speaking of the engine, we go from 280 to 400hp for the same price.
“Now, it all boils down to selecting the nine teams for the next three seasons with at least two cars per team, three maximum so we will have a top figure of twenty-seven cars on the grid. We will announce the teams entry list soon.
“We will keep a calendar of eight race events in 2013. So far, since the inception of the GP3 Series, the field has always been competitive and I am sure that our new package will be even more attractive to young drivers who will crave to race in front of the GP2 and the F1 paddocks. Racing on the same European F1 tracks and on a car that will prepare them best for GP2 before, hopefully, going further. More than ever before, GP3 is the best logical stepping stone for drivers whose ambition is to move to F1.”
Mario Isola (Pirelli Racing Manager):
“The new GP3 car is a very exciting development for young drivers all over the world and we look forward to supplying our latest generation of tyres for it next year, having equipped the championship since 2010.
“With a significant increase in power we will revise the specifications of our GP3 range in 2013 in order to best suit the characteristics of the new car and enhance the spectacle of the racing. The new car and tyres will bring GP3 even closer to GP2, which has firmly established itself as the premier feeder series to Formula One.
“Our aim is to help prepare young drivers for the pinnacle of the sport as much as we can and this will be reflected in next year’s GP3 tyre range.”
GP3/13. © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
GP3/13. © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
Mitch Evans and Esteban Gutierrez with the new GP3/13. © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service
Mark Webber fires up the GP3/13. © Daniel Kalisz/LAT Photographic
© GP2 Media Services. Calado has enjoyed an impressive first year in GP2.
There is a brash confidence to James Calado.
The Worcestershire native certainly holds himself well and although he does not yet swagger, there is a temerity in his approach to motorsport.
A swagger would definitely be a touch too much.
Unflappable – now there’s a word, not often used enough, to describe Lotus’ youthful rookie.
It is probably better to say “youthful”, because at the age of 23 years, Calado is one of the elder drivers in the category.
Not that it is a bad thing. If anything, Calado can lay some claim to a growing maturity – in the car at least. His matter-of-fact exterior betrays the fact that he is, after all, still a young man – and one with ambition.
With only two rounds remaining in this year’s GP2 Series, the Englishman sits in 3rd place in the standings, ten points ahead of his teammate and former GP3 Champion Esteban Gutierrez.
Calado enjoys GP3 pedigree too – he finished runner-up to Williams F1 favourite Valtteri Bottas last year, only one season after finishing runner-up in the British Formula 3 Series.
Prior to last weekend’s Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps, I spoke with him about experience in motorsport, teammates and that little thing called Formula One.
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The Motorsport Archive: Throughout the season, you’ve had a steady stream of points and Sprint Race wins. How would you, as a rookie, judge your 2012 season so far?
James Calado: I think when you look at how it has gone, it’s been pretty good and I think we’ve pleased quite a lot of people, because I’m 4th in the championship [now 3rd place], a few points off the lead and quite close to Esteban [Gutierrez], so the fight for me is probably 3rd place. The [series] win is still possible, but 3rd place is more realistic.
TMA: There are a few drivers here who would be more than pleased with that.
JC: When you look at it, I’ve had three wins in my career so far in GP2, albeit all Sprint Race wins and a bit of bad luck as well. From Bahrain we had a problem with the car, which we couldn’t identify – we ended up being 100 kilo’s out in the corner weights, so that cost me a lot…
TMA: …that was the round where you and Esteban did not run the practice sessions, wasn’t it?
JC: Yes.
TMA: Is that something you still look back on?
JC: I still think we made the right decision. We looked bad and had bad results in qualifying, but it was for totally different reasons – Esteban had one problem and mine was a problem with the car; it was kind of one to forget to be honest
Then we went to Barcelona and put it on pole – that was a good highlight, but we lost that in the pitstops and I ended up 2nd behind [Giedo] van der Garde and then there Valencia where the safety car issue really balked me and then there was Silverstone and the car broke down, so for the Feature Races I’ve always been at the front – it’s just having the luck to stay there. But that’s in the past and the last few qualifying sessions; I’ve been in the top three and have been in contention for pole position.TMA: Beyond your inexperience of the category, you also started the season surrounded by some drivers who had spent some time in GP2. How do you feel that aspect has played out for you?
JC: It’s good and it’s hard for a rookie, especially now in GP2, because it is competitive and also you don’t have the Asia Series, so drivers before were doing the Asia Series, which was the equivalent of their experience and readiness for the year, so I started straight off from and it makes it difficult.
Razia and Valsecchi are fantastic driver’s, Esteban’s a fantastic driver, but they’ve got experience which is something I’m lacking. I’m not complaining now, because I think I’m capable of winning races and I wasn’t at the start of the year.
It’s gone well and Racing Steps [Foundation] are very, very supportive of me and are very happy. There’s a lot of Formula One interest, or so I’ve heard, so it’s gone really well.TMA: While you have moved up to GP2 Series, you are still competing with Lotus – the team you ran with in GP3. How key have they been to your success this year?
JC: Lotus are probably the most professional and closest teams to Formula One and are a really good team to be with.
Being in GP3 initially was such an advantage, because I could learn the tracks, the Pirelli tyres and start to get myself in the Formula One crowd and I’ve built up a fantastic relationship with these guys – it’s almost like my home here and it was key for moving into GP2.
When I did my first test in Jerez, it was with Ocean [Racing Technology] and it was good and I enjoyed it, but coming back to Lotus for the second day was almost like pressure off my shoulders and they do make very good decisions. The car is fast and it’s not normal for them to get bad luck like they have had this year – that’s just racing and things happen.
They’re a great team; I spend a lot of time out in France as well doing data – they’re very analytical about the way they work, everything’s done to a set time and they don’t necessarily look for fast times in testing either, because it’s all about getting ready for the races and it is a proven, as me and Esteban are always at the top with very competitive machinery, so if I were to do GP2 again, I’d like to stay with Lotus.TMA: There is, of course, this battle you have with Esteban and Giedo right now. What is your focus in terms of approaching the final two rounds?
JC: Like any other driver would say, it’s not about looking at the championship, because I like to take each race step-by-step and there’s no point looking at the championship, because that’s just an added pressure on your shoulders, which you don’t need.
I always go into the race trying to maximise the performance of the car, maximise the performance of myself with engineers and do the best job that I can. I always like to dominate things as well and love to lead from the front – my job is to, theoretically, impress Formula One teams and people at a higher level and it’s my ambition and aim to try and do Formula One as soon as possible.TMA: Looking to the future, do you have a set target time that you see yourself in Formula One?
JC: I haven’t really put too much detail or thought into moving up, but it’s difficult to get there. We’ve been speaking to a few people – or my sponsors have – and it all depends on how that pans out.
A majority of young drivers need to bring a sponsor, you need to bring money with you and it’s just finding that and also being in the right place at the right time and performing as well.
Ideally I’d like to be in a Formula One seat next year. I think I’m ready for Formula One – that is obviously a big thing to say, but who knows what will happen. It could be GP2 again next year or maybe a third driver seat with a Grand Prix team and something else like World Series by Renault.TMA: Coming from the UK and the history that exists with Formula One and motorsport there, does that add a pressure to emulate those around you?
JC: Being British is almost a privilege – not being big headed or anything, but they’re so passionate about motorsport. There is the British Racing Drivers Club, which I’m a part of, the Racing Steps scheme, which is mainly British related, so for me there’s no extra pressure.
There’s three Brits in Formula One, but if I had that chance to make that very difficult step, I’d hope I could put up a match for them and wouldn’t it be nice to try and be in an equal car and try to beat them.
But getting there, it’s all about who’s got the most money at the moment and talent within reason because it’s all well and good getting to Formula One, but staying there is another thing. Who knows? The plan is to get there as early as possible and just show people what I can do compared to a teammate in an equal car.
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It’s that confidence again. Again, it’s not overpowering, but it’s well placed. It is not inconceivable that we may see James in a Formula One seat sometime very soon.
My thanks to James Calado and Sandrine Foix for facilitating this interview.
TheMotorsportArchive.com 