F3 Euro Series: Fifth season pole for stalwart Felix Rosenqvist.

In summerly conditions at Monza, Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam, 1:43s766) claimed his fifth pole position of the 2015 FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship season. At the 5.793 kilometres long circuit in the royal park of Monza with its long history, the Swede was 0s183 seconds faster than his team-mate Jake Dennis (Prema Powerteam, 1:43s949). Santino Ferrucci (Mücke Motorsport, 1:43s970) and Alexander Albon (Signature, 1:44s027) as the best-placed rookie were classified third and fourth respectively, while Raoul Hyman (Team West-Tec F3, 1:44s052) and Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam, 1:44s174) ended up in fifth and sixth place.

While 23-year-old Felix Rosenqvist already moved up into the lead around the halfway point, Jake Dennis, by four years his junior, only improved from fifth to second in the final minute of the session. Thus, the Brit toppled Santino Ferrucci, who eventually had to make do with third place. Still, this was the best qualifying result of the season to date for the 16-year-old American.

The same can be said for Raoul Hyman, while Alexander Albon, who was classified ahead of him, was already fourth in a qualifying session for the third time this season. For South-African Hyman, fifth place at the high-speed track of Monza was his best result to date. Behind 16-year-old rookie driver Lance Stroll, 20-year-old Mikkel Jensen (Mücke Motorsport, 1:44s201) was the next rookie on the starting grid.

FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship points’ leader Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:44s204) only qualified eighth. Just like British driver George Russell (Carlin, 1:44s259), who was ninth, the 21-year-old south-Italian only made it into the top ten in the final moments of the session. Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:44s269), currently the best-placed rookie in the championship standings, completed the top ten.

Felix Rosenqvist (Prema Powerteam): “It wasn’t easy, because everyone out there was looking for slipstream. I think that I finally found a good position on the track and didn’t have a lot of traffic getting in my way. After doing two or three laps without slipstream, I tried to find a quick guy to follow. Too bad that it didn’t quite work out as I wanted. Fortunately, the fast lap times I had set before were enough to claim pole position”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

Ferrari 458 Speciale A.

Após a estreia no Paris Motor Show 2014, a Ferrari divulgou algumas especificações do novo top de linha da montadora italiana. Trata-se da: Ferrari 458 Speciale A, o modelo terá edição limitada de 499 unidades, motor V8 aspirado que produzirá 597 cv, a um torque de 6000 rpm, segundo o fabricante, o carro leva apenas três segundos para atingir os 100 km/h.

Em testes na pista de Fiorano, na Itália, o modelo 458 Speciale A levou apenas 1:23 segundos para completar uma volta. O carro adota uma capota rígida e retrátil que leva apenas 14 segundos para ser implantada ou retraída, o modelo da capota é bem parecido a versão 458 Spider, porém, 50 kgs mais leve. Confira algumas fotos desta máquina:  

F3 Euro Series: Esteban Ocon, a rookie wins the title.

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) is the new FIA Fórmula 3 European Champion. Thus, the 18-year-old Frenchman follows in the footsteps of last year’s European Champion Raffaele Marciello, but other than the Italian, he already won the title in his maiden season in Fórmula 3. With nine victories so far this season, Lotus Fórmula 1 junior driver Ocon already scored the biggest success of his career to date with three races to spare.

Esteban Ocon and his predecessor Raffaele Marciello have quite a few things in common: both raced for the Prema Powerteam and both have been protégés of a Fórmula 1 team for many years. Marciello is still a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, while Ocon has been enjoying support from Lotus since his days racing go-karts.

After a successful career in karting, the Frenchman spent two seasons in the Fórmula Renault 2.0 Eurocup and ended up a strong third overall after his second season. At only 17 years of age, he made his Fórmula 3 debut during the Macau Grand Prix in 2013. At the extremely demanding circuit, the Frenchman caught the attention right away with good overtaking moves and fast lap times. Over the winter, the ambitious teeanager matured into an outstanding driver, which he already proved by winning the second race in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship season opener at Silverstone. Until the meeting at the Hungaroring, he managed to win at least one race every weekend and pulled clear from the rest of the field in the championship standings more and more. 

After the strong spell of his fiercest rival Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing), who managed to win six races in a row at Spa-Francorchamps and at the Norisring, Ocon countered with three wins at Moscow, where he also managed to claim all three pole positions. He headed home from the Russian capital with an advantage of more than 100 points. At the Red Bull Ring and the Nürburgring, the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship points’ leader again had a brief drought and had to wait until Imola before he scored another race win. At the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, third place in the third race was enough for him to wrap up the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship title early.

“I simply don’t know what to say. Prior to the season, I never expected such a year. I am totally happy and I am already looking forward to my first test in a Fórmula 1 car that I will do at the end of October with Ferrari,” the newly-crowned champion enthused. During the season, he never really thought about a possible title win. “I tried to work from one race to another, because then, you get less nervous and you stay more relaxed”.

When looking back upon the season, the rather quiet Ocon rates his home round at Pau as his favourite memory. “The Saturday at Pau was my personal highlight of the season. On that day, I claimed two pole positions and won one race. That victory was particularly beautiful as it was my home race.” Ocon has rather less fond memories of the Red Bull Ring weekend: “There, things simply didn’t work and I made mistakes as well. However, I have learned from these mistakes and I have improved as a result. Prior to the season, I already knew that not all the races would be perfect. The field is simply too strong for that”.

Ocon doesn’t come from a well-to-do family and therefore, he is very grateful to the Lotus Fórmula 1 team for having supported him since 2010. “Had it not been for them, I certainly wouldn’t be here. They are supporting me wherever they can. Because I want to benefit from this great chance and because I simply love motorsport, I am always 200 percent committed,” says Ocon, who, next to his ambitions in motorsport and his many sporting activities is also still in school. “I am in some kind of home school and I intend to continue that as long as possible. After all, one never knows how things will go in motorsport and a solid education never does any harm”.

At the moment, however, there is no need for him to worry, even though Gwen Lagrue, who is responsible for the Lotus team’s junior programme, isn’t yet able to say what the career path for his protégé Esteban Ocon will hold for next year. The eventual goal of the Lotus support scheme remains to prepare Ocon for Fórmula 1. In the week after Imola, the young Frenchman, who names motocross rider Ryan Villopoto and sprint star Usain Bolt as his role models, will already get a first taste of the top category as he will be in the Lotus Fórmula 1 simulator for the first time. Lagrue: “He simply deserves that”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Verstappen wins, Ocon is the 2014 FIA Fórmula 3 European Champion.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) claimed his ninth victory in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship in an action-packed 30th race of the season. At the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the 17-year-old Dutchman won from Italian Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam) and Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam). For 18-year-old Frenchman Ocon, who is backed by the Lotus Fórmula 1 team, third place was enough to win an early title in the 2014 FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. As a reward, he will do a test with a Ferrari Fórmula 1 car at the Fiorano circuit on October 29.

Antonio Fuoco already took the lead from Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon before the first corner. With a very good start, he thus managed to move up from third on the grid to first place. Later on the opening lap, Edward Jones (Carlin) ploughed through the gravel trap and hit Antonio Giovinazzi’s (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) car as he swerved back onto the track. The Italian spun and retired and so did Jones. The race director sent the safety car out after the incident.

Only a few laps later, an off-track excursion by Sandro Zeller (Jo Zeller Racing) prompted the second safety car intervention. At the restart on lap nine, Verstappen overtook race leader Fuoco and claimed back first place. On lap eleven, the safety car was deployed again after Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) had collided with Jordan King (Carlin) and couldn’t avoid an impact into the barriers.

Max Verstappen also held on to his first place after the third restart of the race. He then safely brought this position home after the remaining laps and celebrated his first win of the weekend. Antonio Fuoco took the flag in second place and his many fans hailed him as the best-placed Italian in the race. Esteban Ocon was buoyant as well as his third place was enough to wrap up the 2014 FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship title early. Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam) finished fourth in the final race of the Imola round, followed by Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and William Buller (Signature). Thus, Buller scored not only his first points of the season, but also the first points for the Signature team that contested its first race weekend of the 2014 season at Imola. Jake Dennis (Carlin), Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport), Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing) rounded out the top ten.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing): “I lost a position after the start, but I knew that my car was fast and that the race was long. Therefore, I kept cool and I waited for an opportunity. My car was already fast on the two days of testing and that was the case today as well”.

Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam): “I am happy with second place and I am not disappointed for having missed out on victory. It was clear to me that Max was quicker and that I wouldn’t have had a chance against him. I wasn’t happy with my first two races, but now, I am glad by my podium finish in my home round. I would like to dedicate this second place to my friend Jules Bianchi”.

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam): “I am really happy that I am the new FIA Formula 3 European Champion. It is unbelievable, I simply don’t know what to say. I will celebrate the title in style with my team tonight. My race wasn’t too bad. I didn’t want to take too many risks in the first corner and I slotted into third place. Later on, I simply followed my team-mate Antonio, who was in second place. I knew that third place would be enough for me, too”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Blomqvist wins from Verstappen - battle for title remains open.

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) claimed victory in the 29th season race of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. He dominated the race at the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola and scored a lights-to-flag victory. In bright sunshine, the three years younger Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) crossed the finish line in second place, having overtaken Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) on the final metres. Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) finished fourth and is now 84 points ahead of Blomqvist in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings with four races remaining. Verstappen, who already signed a contract to race in Fórmula 1 with the Toro Rosso team for 2015, is 96 points down on Lotus Fórmula 1 junior driver Ocon.

At the start, Tom Blomqvist made the best use of his pole position and took the lead. Antonio Giovinazzi overtook Esteban Ocon for second in the first corner already. On lap three, Antonio Fuoco also managed to find a way past Ocon and thus blew the young championship leader’s hopes of a possible podium finish. At that time, Max Verstappen had already worked his way up to sixth position after having had to start from eleventh place in accordance with the regulations following an engine change. His progress was briefly interrupted on lap seven as a spin by Alexander Toril (ThreeBond with T-Sport) prompted the race director to send the safety car out.

After the restart, Blomqvist remained in front from Giovinazzi and Fuoco. Soon after the field was released again, Verstappen overtook Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam) and then was right behind Esteban Ocon. Two laps later, the Dutchman also overtook the Frenchman. As Fuoco had to pit from third place due to a technical issue, Verstappen even moved up into the top three. However, third place was not enough for the Dutchman: he was so quick that he managed to close up to second-placed Giovinazzi just before the finish. Coming onto the main straight on the final lap, he managed to work his way past the Italian to finish second. Unfazed by the action behind him, Tom Blomqvist drove victory home.

Behind the three drivers on the podium, Esteban Ocon took the flag in fourth place. After 20 laps, Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport) finished fifth from Nicholas Latifi, Jake Dennis (Carlin), Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3), Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) and Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing).

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “I am very happy with this victory. I reckon that I showed a pretty strong race. My start was good and I succeeded in pulling a gap straight away. After the safety car intervention, I made a good restart and I managed to pull a gap once again. However, my car was also running perfectly throughout the race”.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing): “After having made a stupid mistake in yesterday’s race because of not being patient enough, I was determined to do better today and I think I managed to do so. The speed of my car was great and I am very happy to have made it all the way from eleventh on the grid to second at the flag”.

Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “All in all, it was a good race for me. After the start, I managed to overtake Esteban Ocon and I was up in second place. I never was close enough behind Tom to mount an attack. Unfortunately, Max Verstappen still caught me on the final metres, but I am also happy with third place in my home race”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Max Verstappen unbeatable in second qualifying.

After Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) didn’t make it to the finish in the 28th season race of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship at the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, he showed his class in the second qualifying a few hours later. The 17-year-old came out on top both in the ranking of the fastest and of the second-fastest laps. Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) were in second to fourth place in the classification of the fastest lap times. In the result list of the second-fastest laps, Verstappen, who completed his first free practice in Fórmula 1 last week, was followed by Ocon, Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam) and Blomqvist.

Starting grid race 2

After the first few minutes of the second qualifying, Swede Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport, 1:37s971) was still in front, but the stalwart didn’t manage to hold on to his position for a long time. Instead, it was Max Verstappen (1:36s816) who toppled him, only to be outpaced by Esteban Ocon (1:37s155) himself. The 18-year-old Frenchman didn’t stay in first place for a long time either as Verstappen improved his lap time once more. Soon after that, Tom Blomqvist (1:37s125) also was faster than the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship points’ leader and moved up into second place behind Verstappen, the youngest-ever Fórmula 1 driver.

With approximately 6:30 minutes remaining, Edward Jones (Carlin, 1:37s886) lost control of his car and crashed into the tyre stacks. The driver from the United Arab Emirates was transferred to the medical centre for a check-up, but he was found to have escaped unscathed. As darkness was setting in, qualifying didn’t resume. Thus, Verstappen remained on top from Blomqvist, Ocon, Giovinazzi (1:37s196), Fuoco (1:37s221) and returnee William Buller (Signature, 1:37s312). As Verstappen still has to serve a ten-place grid penalty following an engine change from the previous meeting at the Nürburgring, he will start from eleventh place on the grid while Tom Blomqvist will be on pole position.

Starting grid race 3

Max Verstappen (1:37s106) also set the best second-fastest lap time. Esteban Ocon (1:37s303), Antonio Fuoco (1:37s326), Tom Blomqvist (1:37s456), Willam Buller (1:37s497) and Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s540) rounded out the top six.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing): “I am really happy that I was fastest again in second qualifying. The two test days on Tuesday and Wednesday prior to the race weekend really went well for us, but in first qualifying, things weren’t really going as we had planned. In the first race this morning, we had a good speed again and so we did in second qualifying. I really like the Imola circuit. Driving skills mean a lot here. Finding the limit is difficult here, which is a great challenge for us as the drivers”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Esteban Ocon takes lights-to-flag win, Max Verstappen retires.

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) made his comeback on the top step of the podium at the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. The 18-year-old Frenchman won the 28th race of the season and thus also wrapped up the title in the rookie classification of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. In the 20 lap race, British drivers Jordan King (Carlin) and Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) finished second and third. Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing), who came to Italy as the runner-up in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings, retired from a turbulent race. As a result, the 17-year-old Dutchman, who participated in his first free practice session in Fórmula 1 last week, lost his second place in the championship to Tom Blomqvist. Ocon, who is now 97 points ahead of Blomqvist, remains on top of the standings.

The safety-car was deployed on the opening lap following a collision between Santino Ferrucci (Fortec Motorsports) and Hongwei Cao (Fortec Motorsports). At that time, Esteban Ocon was in the lead after a successful start from pole position. Jordan King followed in second place from Tom Blomqvist and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport).

After the restart, Ocon was in front again and was soon able to pull a slight gap from his main rival Jordan King. While Lotus F1 junior driver Ocon controlled the race in first place, his rival in the battle for the title, Max Verstappen, had to work his way up through the ranks. Following an engine change in the previous round at the Nürburgring, after which he was dropped ten places on the grid for the first and second race at Imola in compliance with the regulations, the Dutchman had only started from 15th place on the grid. After one lap, he was already ninth and continued to push. A mistake while attacking Jake Dennis (Carlin) cost Verstappen two positions. Soon after that, Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam) pushed him into the gravel trap and the Van Amersfoort driver fell out of the top ten as a result. Following another collision with Roy Nissany (Mücke Motorsport), he eventually had to retire in the pits with three laps remaining.

Out in front, Esteban Ocon drove his ninth victory of the season home, followed by Jordan King and Tom Blomqvist. Felix Rosenqvist finished fourth from Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport), Jake Dennis, Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3), Tatiana Calderón (Jo Zeller Racing) and Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin).

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam): “Pole position certainly helped me to take the lead after the start. After that, I immediately managed to pull a gap from Jordan. After the restart, the situation was similar. When Jordan increased his speed during the race, I had to take a little bit more risk to keep the gap constant”.

Jordan King (Carlin): “My start wasn’t the best and throughout the race, I never managed to close up to Esteban in such a way that I would have been able to mount an attack. But second place is a good result, too”.

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “After the restart, I had to defend my position from Felix Rosenqvist, which I managed to do. Thus, I was third and I brought this position home. Before the race, we had made some changes to the set-up of my car and I needed some time to get used to it”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Seires: Prema driver Esteban Ocon back on top.

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam, 1:36s479) secured himself a good position for the battle for the title in first qualifying for the tenth FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship race meeting. The Frenchman, a protégé of the Lotus F1 team and the leader in the drivers’ standings, claimed pole position for the first race of the weekend at the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:36s611) secured himself second place on the grid for his home race, ahead of the two Brits Jordan King (Carlin, 1:36s890) and Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:36s973). Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:37s006), currently runner-up in the drivers’ standings and already having made the step to Fórmula 1, had to make do with fifth place.

Around the halfway point, there was a duel for pole position involving Italian Antonio Giovnazzi and Frenchman Esteban Ocon. They were the two drivers to set lap times below 1:37 minutes. In the remainder of the session, Tom Blomqvist closed up to them, but then a crash by Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:37s375) stopped the action for a few minutes. At that time, Ocon was on top from Giovinazzi and Blomqvist while Max Verstappen was skulking in fourth place.

Once the session had been resumed, Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport, 1:37s016) was the first driver who managed to improve his own lap time. The Swedish stalwart moved up into fifth place. The final attempts by the youngsters were briefly interrupted once again after a crash by Alexander Toril (ThreeBond with T-Sport, 1:37s926).

After the second restart, there were only 2:19 minutes remaining. In spite of the little time that was left, Nicholas Latifi (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s187) and Jordan King still managed to improve. British driver King even moved up to third place in the final seconds while Canadian driver Latifi ended up tenth in qualifying. Between him and sixth-placed Rosenqvist, Jake Dennis (Carlin, 1:37s031), Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s125) and Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport, 1:37s147) were seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.

Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam): “Qualifying was really good and my car was great, too. In free practice, we worked very well and I am happy to be back on top. The Imola circuit really suits me and as I am living in Italy now this race also is something of a home round for me as well. Starting from pole position for the first race of the weekend is all the more beautiful because of this. However, I am not thinking about a possible title win yet”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Will rookie Esteban Ocon secure the title as early as at Imola?

For the first time in its history, the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship is going to hold a race weekend at Imola’s 4.909-kilometre Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. For 18-year old Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam), the race meeting at the Italian racetrack represents the first chance of securing the title. The only drivers that still have the chance of stealing the French Lotus driver’s lead are Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing) - who already has been signed as GP driver for the 2015 season - Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport).

Ocon’s lead over Verstappen amounts to 77 points, Great Britain’s Tom Blomqvist follows another 10 points behind - and Lucas Auer’s gap to Ocon adds up to 119 points. With a maximum of 75 points to be awarded on an FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship race weekend, this means that Ocon could follow the footsteps of last year’s champion Raffaele Marciello as early as on the penultimate race weekend of the 2014 season

In addition, the grid of the Imola meeting will feature four new faces: Nick Cassidy (ThreeBond with T-Sport) already gathered his first Fórmula 3 European Championship experiences in 2013 and is making his comeback, now. Virtually the same applies to William Buller (Signature) who also already has got some FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship experience under his belt. He will race a Dallara-Volkswagen for Team Signature who are contesting their first race weekend of the season, at Imola. Meanwhile, China’s Hongwei Cao (Fortec Motorsports) who secured the British F3 title, four weeks ago, and Brazilian Sérgio Sette Câmara (Eurointernational) are making their FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship debuts, this weekend.

Câmara’s team-mate is Michele Beretta (Eurointernational), one of the three Italian’s on the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship grid. Apart from him, Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam) also will represent the Italian colours, at Imola. The currently best-placed driver of the three Italians is rookie Fuoco. With six more races to go, the Ferrari Driver Academy protégé holds fifth position in the championship, right ahead of Antonio Giovinazzi who celebrated his first FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship win at the Red Bull Ring.

Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “I’m living a five-hour ride from Imola but it’s my home race, nevertheless. I’m looking forward to all the friends and relatives that will come to see me, this weekend, and I want to provide them a good performance. On Tuesday and Wednesday, during the official mid-season tests, I completed my first Imola laps and I really like the circuit: it is demanding and you quickly can make a mistake but this also allows you to learn a lot and demonstrate your skills. I think it’s one of the most demanding venues on the entire FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship calendar”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Max Verstappen on top after second day of testing at Imola.

Although Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:36s553) has already signed his Fórmula 1 contract and also has taken part in his first free practice session in the category, he keeps on pushing in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. On the second day of the official mid-season-test at the 4.909 kilometres long circuit of Imola, he came out on top. Jake Dennis (Carlin, 1:36s836) followed behind the Dutchman while Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:37s049) was classified third at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari ahead of his team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:37s055).

With his fourth place, Giovinazzi was the fastest of the three Italian drivers competing in this year’s FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. “We have tested and sorted out many things. I am quite happy with the progress we have made on these two days and I am now looking forward to the race weekend,” he commented afterwards. Giovinazzi ranked just ahead of Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s071), the second Italian in the ranking. Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:37s108) followed in sixth place and also drew a positive verdict: “It was important and also necessary to have these two days of testing after the long summer break. Now, we are all back in the right rhythm for this weekend, when we are racing for points. My team-mates and I had a good speed, our car was running well and we are ready for the three races at this circuit”.

Nick Cassidy (ThreeBond with T-Sport, 1:37s116), Jordan King (Carlin, 1:37s144), Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport, 1:37s162) and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport, 1:37s273) rounded out the top ten.“This track really is great fun to drive,” Rosenqvist said. “But on a really fast lap, you are also on the verge of crashing all the time. Getting close to the limit, but not over it is a huge challenge”. The Swede was happy with his test day: “I think that we made the car faster”.

Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3, 1:37s341) was classified eleventh. “I reckon that we have the speed to finish on the podium,” the young driver from Puerto Rico said. “During the season so far, my car has never been this good. In the summer break and with this test, we have made a step forward and we are working into the right direction”. Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s342) had to make do with twelfth place, but the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship points’ leader remained totally unfazed: “We just concentrated on completing our test programme and we didn’t go for any fast lap times. We will leave that for the weekend, when we are competing for points and positions again,” the 18-year-old Lotus Fórmula 1 junior driver said calmly.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Jake Dennis on top after first day of testing at Imola.

British driver Jake Dennis (Carlin, 1:36s808) came out on top at the end of the first encounter of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship after the summer break. On the opening day of the official mid-season test, the rookie driver was 0s027 seconds faster than Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport, 1:36s835). Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:36s874) and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport, 1:36s007) were classified third and fourth at the 4.909 kilometres long Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola.

Jake Dennis only set his fastest lap time in the final minute of the test day and was very happy afterwards: “Today, we ran through our program and we found some things that worked well, but others that didn’t. Eventually, I managed to be in front with fresh tyres. The lap certainly wasn’t perfect, but I am happy with the day”. Just like Dennis, Lucas Auer also managed to move ahead of Max Verstappen in the closing stages. The Dutchman, who participated in his first-ever free practice session in Formula 1 last Friday, didn’t show any problems in getting used to his Fórmula 3 car again.“Somehow, getting from a faster into a slower car is easier,” the 17-year-old commented.

Behind the fastest three young drivers on the opening day of testing, Felix Rosenqvist, points’ leader Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam, 1:37s093), Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, 1:37s316) and Jordan King (Carlin, 1:37s351) followed in fourth to seventh place. The Brit had to conclude his test day early following an accident.“The rear of the car slid out on me and I couldn’t manage to get the car in control. It was just a small mistake, but it left me sidelined for the final two hours”.

Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing, 1:37s450), Nick Cassidy (ThreeBond with T-Sport, 1:37s498) and Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3, 1:37s504) rounded out the top ten. “I am delighted to be back in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship,” New Zealander Cassidy said. At Imola and Hockenheim, he will be racing for ThreeBond with T-Sport.“Last year, I took part in two events and coming back to race in this series has always been my goal. Now, I hope to improve steadily and to score some good results”.

At the end of the day, Cassidy was the fastest of the six drivers who are competing in their first season in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship this year. William Buller (Signature, 1:37s704) was classified 13th on the comeback of both himself and his Signature team and was also happy. “It took a while for me to get used to the Fórmula 3 car again. After that, things went well and the team did a good job, too. We aren’t that far off the pace, but we still have some work to do to get further up to the front.” Only two places behind Buller, Marvin Kirchhofer (Motopark, 1:37s750) ended up 15th on his first outing in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. The German drove the car of the Motopark team that took part in an official FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship session for the first time this year.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

Bruno Bonifácio fecha corrida 2 em Mugello em 4º e agora volta foco para Fórmula Renault Eurocup.

Bruno Bonifácio voltou a competir no último fim de semana em Mugello, em rodada dupla válida pela Fórmula Renault Alps como piloto convidado. A disputa neste início de setembro valeu como aquecimento e preparação para a fase final da temporada 2014 da Fórmula Renault Eurocup, que o brasileiro de 19 anos disputa de forma integral. Depois de ter conquistado um terceiro lugar no sábado e ir ao pódio pela sétima vez em 12 corridas, Bruno terminou a prova do último domingo em quarto lugar, ficando bastante satisfeito com os resultados e o trabalho realizado em conjunto com sua equipe, a Prema Powerteam.

A corrida do domingo teve uma dinâmica semelhante à prova de sábado. Bonifácio largou na quinta posição e, logo na primeira volta, conseguiu ganhar uma colocação. No entanto, o ritmo era muito similar a dos pilotos que estavam à sua frente, de modo que, mesmo com muito esforço por parte do brasileiro, não foi possível esboçar uma tentativa de ultrapassagem. Nos minutos finais, uma chuva muito forte deu as caras em Mugello e, por esta razão, a direção de prova optou por encerrar a corrida.

Com dois top 5 na veloz etapa de Mugello, que contou com um numeroso grid de 34 carros, Bruno Bonifácio já está preparado e focado para a retomada da Fórmula Renault Eurocup, que volta a ser disputada no próximo fim de semana (13 e 14) no circuito de Hungaroring.

Bruno Bonifácio:

“O fim de semana aqui em Mugello foi muito bom, não apenas pelos resultados, mas também pela chance que tivemos de testar coisas diferentes e de nos preparar para a Hungria e a reta final da Eurocup, então o balanço geral foi bem positivo. A corrida foi muito boa, dentro das nossas possibilidades. Correr numa pista que não oferece muitas chances de ultrapassagens, ganhar uma posição logo na primeira curva e terminar uma colocação à frente é muito bom porque mostra que conseguimos aproveitar bem nossas oportunidades. Agora vou para a Hungria confiante em poder fazer um bom fim de semana, como o que tivemos aqui na Itália”.

Fotos: Prema Powerteam - Fonte: Eversports

Fórmula Renault Alps: Bruno Bonifácio volta ao pódio com terceiro lugar na corrida 1 em Mugello.

Bruno Bonifácio retomou a disputa da temporada 2014 com a conquista de mais um pódio, o sétimo no ano. O brasileiro da Prema Powerteam, que disputa neste fim de semana a etapa de Mugello pela Fórmula Renault Alps como piloto convidado, realizou uma corrida bastante segura no veloz circuito italiano no ensolarado fim da tarde deste sábado (6), assegurando o terceiro lugar diante de um grid bem encorpado, com 34 carros inscritos. A rodada dupla vale para o paulista de 19 anos como recomeço após as férias de verão, com foco principalmente na temporada da Fórmula Renault Eurocup - campeonato que Bruno disputa de forma integral -, que será retomada na semana que vem, em Hungaroring.

Depois de uma sexta-feira destinada a encontrar o melhor ritmo do seu carro em Mugello nos dois treinos livres, Bruno disputou a sessão classificatória, neste sábado pela manhã, pelo Grupo A. O brasileiro foi o segundo melhor do seu grupo e, na soma de todos os tempos, obteve o terceiro lugar no grid de largada.

Bonifácio teve um início de corrida bastante seguro. O piloto largou em terceiro e manteve com autoridade sua posição, buscando desde o início se aproximar dos pilotos que estavam à sua frente, Nyck de Vries e Charles Leclerc. Bruno abriu boa vantagem em relação ao quarto colocado, Pietro Fittipaldi, e não chegou a ter seu pódio ameaçado. Ao longo das 16 voltas extremamente rápidas, com velocidades máximas acima dos 230 km/h, o paulista cruzou a linha de chegada em terceiro lugar e sacramentou um bom recomeço de temporada.

A segunda corrida do fim de semana, que terá Bruno Bonifácio largando em quinto lugar, acontece neste domingo, às 8h30 (horário de Brasília), com duração igual a deste sábado, 25 minutos mais uma volta.

Bruno Bonifácio:

“Hoje foi um ótimo dia para nós. Voltar da pausa de verão e abrir um fim de semana com pódio e um ritmo bem competitivo é sempre muito bom e nos dá ainda mais motivação para seguir nosso caminho neste restante de temporada. Mugello é uma pista que não permite muitas ultrapassagens, sobretudo quando o rendimento dos carros é muito parecido, então me esforcei ao máximo, dei meu melhor, mas não consegui encontrar uma oportunidade para ultrapassar. Largaremos em quinto amanhã e vamos novamente aproveitar o tempo de pista que teremos aqui para trabalhar em ajustes que podem ser positivos neste aquecimento que antecede a sequência da Eurocup”.

Fotos: Prema Powerteam - Fonte: Eversports

Bruno Bonifácio retoma temporada e faz ‘aquecimento’ com etapa de Mugello da Fórmula Renault Alps.

A temporada 2014 da Fórmula Renault Eurocup só terá reinício entre 13 e 14 de setembro no circuito de Hungaroring, mas Bruno Bonifácio já estará de volta às pistas neste fim de semana, quase dois meses após a pausa durante o verão europeu. O paulista de 19 anos vai encarar a etapa de Mugello, válida pela Fórmula Renault Alps, como piloto convidado, e abordará a disputa como preparação visando a disputa europeia da categoria, na qual Bruno ocupa o terceiro lugar. Será a oportunidade para Bonifácio voltar a acelerar no tradicional circuito italiano, um dos mais rápidos do mundo, onde já venceu correndo pela Fórmula Abarth.

Depois de ter disputado a etapa de Nürburgring da Fórmula Renault Eurocup, no meio de julho, Bonifácio aproveitou o período de férias para descansar, mas também para analisar sua temporada até aqui e projetar a sequência do ano com sua equipe, a Prema Powerteam. Na esteira dos trabalhos, Bruno realizou testes no simulador já visando seus próximos desafios em 2014. Depois da rodada dupla de Mugello, Bruno terá pela frente as etapas de Hungaroring e Paul Ricard pela Eurocup. Depois, no começo de outubro, o brasileiro corre em Jerez em mais um desafio pela divisão Alps para regressar uma semana depois e fechar sua segunda temporada na Eurocup.

Bruno vem de um 2014 com bons resultados, sobretudo na primeira parte do ano. No início da temporada, quando correu também como convidado da Fórmula Renault Alps, o piloto garantiu dois pódios na etapa de Ímola e engatou ótima sequência pela Eurocup, com outros quatro top 3 consecutivos, sendo uma vitória no lendário traçado de Spa-Francorchamps. Em seguida, Bonifácio viveu dois finais de semana difíceis em Moscou e Nürburgring, mas está pronto para retornar com força a partir deste fim de semana.

A programação da etapa de Mugello da Fórmula Renault Alps começa no sábado com a tomada de tempos que define o grid da primeira corrida do fim de semana, que acontece no período da tarde e terá duração de 25 minutos mais uma volta. Os 35 pilotos inscritos retornam à pista no domingo para a prova que complementa a rodada dupla no circuito italiano.

Bruno Bonifácio:

“Vamos encarar a etapa de Mugello como uma retomada depois das férias de verão, então vai servir para que possamos recuperar o ritmo visando o reinício da Eurocup na semana que vem, na Hungria. Nosso trabalho recomeçou há duas semanas, com a equipe toda focada na fase final da temporada. Fiz muitas sessões no simulador também, então todos nós estamos empenhados em melhorar. Estou muito feliz por ter a chance de voltar a guiar em Mugello: um circuito dos mais velozes e prazerosos para pilotar. Mas, independente de não ser nossa competição principal, vamos trabalhar duro em busca das primeiras colocações, como sempre”.

Fotos: Prema Powerteam - Fonte: Eversports

Bruno Bonifácio enfrenta etapa complicada em Nürburgring, mas segue no top 3 na F-Renault Eurocup.

A quarta etapa da temporada 2014 da Fórmula Renault Eurocup, no tradicional circuito de Nürburgring, era vista por Bruno Bonifácio como a grande oportunidade para reagir depois de uma rodada dupla difícil em Moscou, há duas semanas. Entretanto, o piloto brasileiro vivenciou um fim de semana ainda mais complicado e, por conta de uma série de infelicidades, ficou sem pontuar na Alemanha. Ainda assim, Bonifácio ocupa a terceira colocação na temporada 2014.

O primeiro desafio de Bruno em Nürburgring foi no sábado, durante a sessão classificatória para a primeira corrida do fim de semana. Em sua volta rápida, quando vinha com boas condições de estar entre os quatro primeiros do grid, o paulista da equipe italiana Prema Powerteam acabou sendo prejudicado por uma bandeira vermelha. O treino não foi retomado, e Bonifácio não conseguiu estabelecer uma boa marca, tendo de largar em 29º colocado. Logo na primeira volta, debaixo de chuva, um incidente o fez perder a asa dianteira, e isso comprometeu mais ainda sua corrida, terminando em 20º.

No domingo, a esperança de Bruno em viver um dia melhor não se concretizou. A classificação para a segunda corrida da etapa foi realizada debaixo de chuva, e o piloto acabou cometendo um erro que prejudicou seu posicionamento no grid, garantindo o 14º lugar. Apesar de ter feito uma boa largada e conquistar quatro posições, Bruno acabou levando azar porque um adversário que estava ao seu lado rodou e acabou acertando seu carro de maneira involuntária ainda na primeira volta, causando o abandono do brasileiro.

O duplo revés em Moscou e Nürburgring fez aumentar a distância de Bonifácio para o líder do campeonato, Nyck de Vries, que agora está 58 pontos à frente do brasileiro. No entanto, Bruno ressaltou o potencial exibido ao longo da temporada e reafirmou a confiança em voltar a lutar por vitórias na retomada da temporada, entre os dias 12 e 14 de setembro, em Hungaroring. Uma semana antes, o piloto disputará a rodada dupla da Fórmula Renault Alps no circuito de Mugello, na Itália, como convidado da categoria.

Bruno Bonifácio:

“Tivemos dois finais de semana bem infelizes, tanto em Moscou quanto aqui em Nürburgring, mas não há grande preocupação porque temos potencial para brigar por vitórias e já mostramos isso. Agora nós temos esta boa pausa para descansar um pouco e focar nos trabalhos visando a sequência da temporada, sabemos da nossa capacidade e vamos com tudo para a fase final do campeonato”.

Fotos: Prema Powerteam - Fonte: Eversports

World Series: Pietro Fantin fecha etapa de abertura da temporada 2014 no top 10 em Monza.

Monza foi palco da primeira etapa da temporada 2014 da World Series by Renault. Único brasileiro no grid da Fórmula Renault 3.5, Pietro Fantin viveu um fim de semana de altos e baixos na Itália. Depois de ter enfrentado um sábado bastante difícil, o curitibano da Draco Racing conseguiu reagir e, na manhã deste domingo (13 de abril), conquistou seus primeiros pontos no ano ao fechar a corrida 2 da rodada na oitava colocação.

Na prova que abriu a temporada, Fantin não obteve a melhor performance do seu carro e ficou longe dos pontos em Monza. Numa corrida considerada frustrante pelo próprio piloto, o 12º lugar no fim da corrida de sábado indicou que tudo teria de mudar para domingo. E, de certa forma, aconteceu. Logo pela manhã, Pietro fez sua melhor classificação desde que estreou na World Series e garantiu o quinto lugar no grid da corrida 2, numa performance bem parecida com a que o brasileiro obteve na pré-temporada, quando foi um dos destaques por ter ficado sempre entre os primeiros.

Pietro optou por fazer uma largada conservadora para ficar longe dos acidentes e pensando em somar pontos em Monza. O piloto acabou sofrendo com as saídas de traseira do seu carro ao longo da corrida e perdeu ritmo. Depois de ter travado uma disputa intensa com o russo Nikolay Martsenko, Fantin terminou a prova na oitava colocação. Embora o resultado do domingo não tenha deixado o piloto feliz, foi considerado satisfatório pelas circunstâncias do fim de semana como um todo.

Depois da etapa de Monza, Pietro vai trabalhar junto à Draco Racing visando buscar a solução para os problemas que prejudicaram seu fim de semana não voltem na próxima rodada dupla da temporada, que está marcada para os dias 26 e 27 de abril no circuito de Motorland, em Aragón, Espanha.

Pietro Fantin:

“Foi um fim de semana complicado. Ontem nada deu certo, e isso foi muito frustrante porque mostrei muito potencial durante a pré-temporada. Desta forma, hoje só poderia ser melhor. E foi melhor, mas ainda não foi da maneira que a gente queria. Fiz uma boa classificação pela manhã, mas durante a prova o carro ficou muito traseiro, e isso dificulta muito as coisas em Monza, que é um circuito muito peculiar. No fim das contas, conseguimos somar alguns pontos, mas nosso lugar não é ali, mas sim nas primeiras posições, estou confiante de que temos potencial para fazer mais e melhor. Agora é trabalhar e focar na etapa de Motorland”.

Fotos: Paolo Pellegrini - Fonte: Eversports

Confiante, Pietro Fantin encara etapa de abertura da temporada 2014 da World Series em Monza.

A temporada 2014 da Fórmula Renault 3.5, principal categoria da World Series by Renault e uma das vitrines para a F1, começa neste fim de semana (11 a 13 de abril) no lendário circuito de Monza, na Itália. Único brasileiro confirmado no grid, Pietro Fantin inicia o campeonato muito animado depois dos ótimos resultados obtidos nos testes coletivos da pré-temporada em Paul Ricard, Aragón e Jerez com sua nova equipe, a Draco Racing. Depois de um ano de estreia repleto de aprendizado e desafios, o curitibano de 22 anos abre um novo ciclo em sua carreira confiante em poder buscar as posições de topo desde as primeiras corridas.

Monza, aliás, traz boas recordações para Fantin. Foi no mais veloz traçado da temporada que, no ano passado, o brasileiro conquistou sua melhor posição de largada e sua melhor colocação em corrida. O circuito italiano também foi palco da etapa de abertura de 2013 e, na segunda prova daquela rodada, Pietro obteve o sexto lugar na ordem de largada e cruzou a linha de chegada em sétimo. Agora, muito mais experiente e entrosado com os mecânicos e engenheiros da Draco Racing, equipe italiana comandada pelo brasileiro Guto Negrão, o piloto não esconde seu otimismo e acredita que pode fazer muito mais já neste fim de semana.

O ano de 2014 é especial para a Fórmula Renault 3.5 porque se trata do décimo ano da categoria sob a tutela da montadora francesa. Desde então, vários talentos foram revelados para a F1: Daniel Ricciardo, Jean-Eric Vergne, Robert Kubica, Kevin Magnussen e o tetracampeão mundial Sebastian Vettel. Pietro busca fazer uma temporada consistente para alcançar seu objetivo de fazer parte do grid do principal certame do automobilismo mundial num futuro breve.

O cronograma deste fim de semana em Monza compreende a realização de dois treinos coletivos na sexta-feira, ambos com duração de 50 minutos. No sábado, acontece a sessão classificatória pela manhã e, no período da tarde, a primeira corrida da etapa, com duração de 40 minutos mais uma volta. A programação de sábado se repete no domingo, dia que fecha a primeira rodada da temporada 2014.

Pietro Fantin:

“Estou bem feliz e ansioso para começar minha segunda temporada na World Series. Aprendi muito no ano passado, e acumulei ainda mais experiência nesses últimos meses com a Draco. Por isso estou bastante motivado para 2014 e acredito que ainda tenho muito para evoluir, então a minha expectativa para este campeonato é a melhor possível. Nosso carro sempre esteve muito bem durante a pré-temporada, e o trabalho que tenho feito com meu engenheiro está sendo bastante positivo. Espero poder brigar pelo pódio, mas, por outro lado, estou com os pés no chão. Mostramos nesses testes coletivos que temos muito potencial para estar entre os primeiros colocados, então acredito que vamos andar bem em Monza”.

Fotos: Sebastian Rozendaal/Dutch Photo Agency - Fonte: Eversports

Fórmula Renault Alps: Bruno Bonifácio repete pódio na corrida 2 em Ímola e faz balanço positivo.

Bruno Bonifácio encerrou com mais um pódio sua participação na etapa de abertura da temporada 2014 da Fórmula Renault Alps neste fim de semana, no tradicional circuito de Ímola. O brasileiro de 19 anos repetiu o resultado obtido no último sábado e, neste domingo (6), foi ao pódio após terminar a prova derradeira na segunda colocação. O piloto da Prema Powerteam foi superado apenas por Nick de Vries, que também venceu a primeira prova da etapa no Autódromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.

A corrida deste domingo teve dinâmica muito semelhante à de sábado. De Vries e Bonifácio formaram a primeira fila do grid. O holandês largou na frente e abriu boa vantagem, seguindo com tranquilidade rumo a mais uma vitória. Bruno, por sua vez, acabou sendo superado pelo francês Simon Gachet, mas, na sexta volta, o paulista retomou a segunda colocação e repetiu o resultado obtido ontem em Ímola.

Na visão de Bruno, o balanço deste fim de semana na Itália foi bastante positivo, sobretudo pelo fato de a etapa de Ímola ter servido para o piloto como forma de preparação visando a etapa de abertura da Fórmula Renault Eurocup 2.0, campeonato que Bonifácio vai disputar de maneira integral em 2014. A prova que abre o calendário desta temporada será disputada entre 26 e 27 de abril no circuito de Motorland, em Aragón, Espanha.

Bruno Bonifácio:

“Foi um bom fim de semana como um todo. A corrida deste domingo foi melhor do que a de ontem, mas é fato que ainda temos que trabalhar muito e evoluir constantemente. O balanço desses dias foi muito positivo, já que terminei duas vezes em segundo, larguei nas duas provas na primeira fila, mostrei bom ritmo, andei bem tanto no seco quanto no molhado, então deixo Ímola bem satisfeito. Agora é voltar o foco para a preparação física visando a nossa estreia na Eurocup, que é o foco para a temporada 2014”.

Fotos: Prema Powerteam - Fonte: Eversports