Formula3 News

Maki wins second Mugello race

Maldonado: I could have gone quicker

Jakes relieved after securing pole

James Jakes expressed his relief after securing pole position and his first point of the F3 Euro Series season at Pau.

A win today would move the Englishman back into title contention after enduring a trying start in the opening races of the year at Hockenheim and Mugello.

"In the second qualifying group, I knew that whoever crossed the finishing line last would be first, because of the improving conditions," said Jakes.

"But I was the first in the bunch to cross the line and I am very pleased that the lap was good enough for pole, particularly as it was by half-a-second.

"I was already on pole before the red flag (brought out when teammate Jules Bianchi found the barriers), but I hadn't quite put the complete lap together. I gave away a tenth to Maki in the middle sector, but in the first sector I was up by three tenths.

"The two seconds that we found on the restart was mainly in me. Granted, the track was drying out, particularly in the high speed corners, but most of the improvement came from me.

"I don't mind either way if the race has a normal start or, if it remains wet, gets under way behind the safety car. My start was good in Barcelona last year in similar conditions.

"The way this season has started it means a lot to be on pole here. I have had to adapt my driving style to the team, but I am sure if you look at the success the team has had it will reap benefits.

"I just wanted this year to get moving. I am looking for a solid points haul because others are beginning to make a big margin in the championship. It is not that I was frustrated, if you look at the starts Paul [di Resta] and Romain [Grosjean] have had, they were also difficult."

Jakes takes pole at Pau

James Jakes has taken pole position upon the F3 Euro Series return to Pau, after a break of two years.

Jakes will be joined on the front of this afternoon's feature race by joint championship leader Edoardo Mortara.

In a wet qualifying session, the second group in which Jakes was seeded was red-flagged with four minutes remaining, with the Englishman provisionally fastest on a time of 1:27.919.

On the restart, half a dozen drivers improved on Jakes's effort, but the Guisley driver responded with almost two seconds less in the drying conditions.

Italian Mortara toppled Jakes's ART teammate Nico Hulkenberg with less than a minute on the clocks in the first group.

Christian Vietoris could only manage third in the group for Mucke, having been fastest in both dry practice sessions on Friday.

Vietoris was lucky to survive a near miss with the tyre barriers, and finished over a second slower than Mortara's time. Jon Lancaster was less fortunate, and crashed at the Buisson hairpin when placed fourth.

Finn Mika Maki, tied for the series lead with Mortara, kept his title chances stoked with third place on the grid.

Franck Mailleux was the highest placed of the six home drivers, and will start in fifth, directly behind Maki.

It is an all French fourth row with SG's Yann Clairay heading Richard Philippe who made an impressive showing for Carlin.

Further down the grid, Cong Fu Cheng has a busy weekend in store, as he combines F3 with his rookie initiation at the Le Mans test day.

Cheng's LMP1 team Saulnier have laid on a private jet after today's race in order for the Chinese driver to complete the required laps at La Sarthe on Sunday morning, before jetting back to the Midi-Pyrenees to fulfil his commitments with RC Motorsport.

Pantano keeps cool to win in Turkey

Hulkenberg secures pole at Mugello

Maki wins second Mugello race

Jakes wins chaotic race at Pau

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Abay tops Thruxton test

Carlin Motorsport rookie Sam Abay topped the collective British Formula 3 test at Thruxton yesterday.

The afternoon session was abandoned mid-way through because of heavy rain, but the best times were set just after lunch following a wet morning session.

Abay was the only driver to duck below the one minute 12 second barrier and finished the test two tenths clear of championship leader Sergio Perez.

"The morning session was wet throughout and we made a couple of changes for the afternoon," said Abay.

"I knew I could make improvements under braking and when a dry line started to emerge I was able to set my best time. Unfortunately it started to rain heavily and it was too dangerous to continue."

Oliver Turvey, Max Chilton, and John Martin were all with a tenth of Perez's second-placed time, with Andy Meyrick leading the National Class runners in seventh overall.

Matt Howson, who was runner-up in the Asian F3 Championship earlier this year, was the latest driver to join the British F3 field for a test. He was helping Team Loctite with the set-up of their National Class car in the absence of regular driver Niall Quinn, but will not race for the team.

Pantano tops Istanbul free practice

Maldonado king of Monaco qualifying

Filippi rues pointless weekend

Monday, May 26, 2008

Hohenthal triumphs in wet race two

Sebastian Hohenthal scored his first British Formula 3 victory of the season in the wet second race at Rockingham this afternoon.

The Swede came out on top of a three-car drag race to Deene hairpin with pole-sitter Jaime Alguersuari and Max Chilton on the first lap and was able to control the race from then on.

There was a brief spell at one third distance where Alguersuari began to close the gap, but Hohenthal was never seriously threatened in the half hour race.

"I was hoping for rain because I think we've got a good car in the wet," said Hohenthal. "We've struggled a bit in the dry so when it started to rain this afternoon I was the happiest guy in the pit lane."

Chilton completed the podium in a lonely third place ahead of the day's earlier winner Atte Mustonen in a quiet fourth.

Michael Devaney passed Nick Tandy a couple of laps from home, and survived a late trip round the oval after out-braking himself at the Deene hairpin, to finish as the top Mygale runner in fifth.

Andy Meyrick started the race fifth and kept his National Class car in that position for the first half of the race.

He succumbed to Devaney and Tandy eventually, but still finished seventh, beating his Carlin teammates Brendon Hartley and Oliver Turvey, Marcus Ericsson, and championship leader Sergio Perez.

Classified:Pos Driver Car Time 1. S.Hohenthal Dallara/Mercedes 31::05.263 2. J.Alguersuari Dallara/Mercedes + 2.199 3. Max Chilton Dallara/Mercedes + 6.450 4. Atte Mustonen Dallara/Mercedes + 16.502 5. Nick Tandy Mygale/Mercedes + 18.372 6. Michael Devaney Mygale/Mercedes + 21.659 7. Andrew Meyrick Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 23.274 8. Brendon Hartley Dallara/Mercedes + 25.494 9. Oliver Turvey Dallara/Mercedes + 25.956 10. Marcus Ericsson Dallara/Mercedes + 26.240 11. Sam Abay Dallara/Mercedes + 26.950 12. W.Grubmuller Dallara/Mercedes + 30.411 13. Sergio Perez Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 32.004 14. John Martin Dallara/Mercedes + 43.004 15. Ricardo Teixeira Mygale/Mercedes + 46.319 16. Jay Bridger Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:01.890 17. Steven Guerrero Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:12.114 18. Viktor Jensen Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:14.247 19. Hywel Lloyd Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:17.333 20. Kristjan Einar Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:18.865 21. Stefan Wilson Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1:19.944 22. Niall Quinn Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap Not classified: Driver Car Laps S.Al-Khalifa Dallara/Mugen-Honda 15 Craig Reiff Dallara/Mugen-Honda 11 Ali Jackson Mygale/Mercedes 8 Philip Major Dallara/Mercedes 2 Henry Arundel Dallara/Mercedes 0 Fastest lap: Oliver Turvey, 1:28.587 on lap 17

Bakkerud to miss Istanbul race

Mustonen takes Rockingham victory

Abay dominates second Croft practice

Mustonen takes Rockingham victory

Atte Mustonen resisted a late charge from Marcus Ericsson to score his second career British Formula 3 victory at Rockingham today.

The Finn beat pole-sitter Max Chilton off the line and controlled a comfortable gap over second-placed Jaime Alguersuari for the majority of the 24-lap race. But a rain shower in the last 10 minutes coincided with Ericsson's charge from seventh on the grid.

Ericsson picked off Carlin teammates Oliver Turvey and Sam Abay in the early, dry conditions, and took third from Chilton as the Hitech driver aborted his defence of the position at the hairpin and went straight on round the oval.

The Swede then set about the lead pair, who were over three seconds up the road. The gap reduced more each lap the wetter the circuit got as the rain brought about a classic slicks on a wet track situation, and Ericsson was a second a lap quicker than Alguersuari and Mustonen as the track got more slippery.

Ericsson took second from Alguersuari down the inside at turn two and threatened Mustonen's lead as the Finn lost three seconds on one lap as he tried to lap Hywel Lloyd.

But Ericsson ran out of laps and Mustonen held on to record his first victory of the season.

"I pushed at the start to make myself a gap and then it was comfortable," said Mustonen. "It was very slippery for a couple of laps at the end and I lost a lot of time lapping a car, but I had it under control."

Ericsson added: "That was a brilliant race, I knew we had the pace to do that. When it was only raining a little I was really quick and thought maybe I could even win, but it rained harder and I found the limit a couple of times and thought I'd better calm down because second is a great result and exactly what we needed."

Alguersuari completed the podium in third, ahead of Chilton who disappeared round the oval twice during the race but dropped back to resume his correct position each time.

Championship leader Sergio Perez finished fifth after making solid progress throughout the race from 11th on the grid, ahead of Oliver Turvey who rounded out the top six.

Andy Meyrick took another National Class victory, returning to form after a couple of retirements at Monza. He slipped back through the field of Championship Class cars from his excellent fourth row grid spot.

At one point it looked as though he would be challenged by Salman Al-Khalifa, but he strode away confidently as the conditions became more difficult in the closing laps.

Classified:Pos Driver Car Time 1. Atte Mustonen Dallara/Mercedes 30:40.004 2. Marcus Ericsson Dallara/Mercedes + 2.907 3. J.Alguersuari Dallara/Mercedes + 6.077 4. Max Chilton Dallara/Mercedes + 10.877 5. Sergio Perez Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 13.886 6. Oliver Turvey Dallara/Mercedes + 15.066 7. S.Hohenthal Dallara/Mercedes + 17.246 8. Sam Abay Dallara/Mercedes + 21.343 9. W.Grubmuller Dallara/Mercedes + 23.199 10. Brendon Hartley Dallara/Mercedes + 24.432 11. John Martin Dallara/Mercedes + 32.720 12. Michael Devaney Mygale/Mercedes + 34.941 13. Henry Arundel Dallara/Mercedes + 38.808 14. Nick Tandy Mygale/Mercedes + 39.538 15. Ricardo Teixeira Mygale/Mercedes + 46.064 16. Andrew Meyrick Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 49.678 17. S.Al-Khalifa Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 58.719 18. Stefan Wilson Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1'07.462 19. Jay Bridger Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1'07.791 20. Philip Major Dallara/Mercedes + 1'17.299 21. Viktor Jensen Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap 22. Hywel Lloyd Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap 23. Niall Quinn Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap 24. Craig Reiff Dallara/Mugen-Honda + 1 Lap Not classified: Driver Car Laps Steven Guerrero Dallara/Mugen-Honda 21 Kristjan Einar Dallara/Mugen-Honda 1 Ali Jackson Mygale/Mercedes 0 Fastest lap: Alguersuari, 1:13.229 on lap 5

Conway takes first win at Monaco

Zuber faces 15-place grid penalty

Hohenthal triumphs in wet race two

Chilton takes wet pole at Rockingham

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Wickens to Signature for Euro Series

Red Bull-backed Canadian Robert Wickens will join the Formula 3 Euro Series for the remainder of the season.

The 19-year-old is already racing for Carlin Motorsport in the Formula Renault 3.5 series this season, but will double up in place of Stefano Coletti at the Signature-Plus team in F3.

Coletti hasn't finished in the points yet this season and has been dropped from Red Bull's young driver scheme just two rounds into the season.

Wickens spoke to autosport.com at this weekend's Formula Renault 3.5 round supporting the Monaco Grand Prix, and is relishing the challenge.

"I've never even seen a Formula 3 race, let alone sat in a car, but it would be great to do," he said.

Wickens will make his F3 debut in the rounds at Pau next weekend, and will be able to contest most of the season with just one clash between the Euro Series and Formula Renault 3.5.

"Signature are supposed to have a very good car for Pau and I think it will be easier to find the limit on a street circuit because there is less grip. I think there should be enough free practice.

"Signature are involved in Renault 3.5 with Ultimate, and Carlin are in the Euro Series as well, so there will be some familiar faces in the paddock."

Maldonado: I could have gone quicker

Maldonado king of Monaco qualifying

Filippi rues pointless weekend

Maki wins second Mugello race

Hulkenberg secures pole at Mugello

Alguersuari on pole for race two

Jaime Alguersuari claimed pole position for race two of British Formula 3's visit to Rockingham this weekend.

The Spaniard set the quickest time of another soaking wet qualifying session, which was littered with incidents, just as the day's earlier session was.

Alguersuari set his best time between the first and second red flags, as did Sebastian Hohenthal, Oliver Turvey, and race one polesitter Max Chilton, who complete the first two rows.

There were three minutes of the session remaining after the final red flag, but separate incidents at the Tarzan hairpin and the final corner brought out multiple waved yellows and prevented anyone from improving their position.

Andy Meyrick will start fifth, edging closer to the overall podium in his National Class car after qualifying eighth in the earlier session.

Atte Mustonen will start sixth after spinning off the road with Meyrick 10 minutes from the end of the session.

Michael Devaney will start seventh in the lead Mygale, with Marcus Ericsson, Nick Tandy and Sergio Perez completing the top 10.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:32.322 2. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:32.640 +0.318 3. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:32.695 +0.373 4. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:32.876 +0.554 5. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:33.170 +0.848 6. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:33.255 +0.933 7. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:34.378 +2.056 8. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:34.441 +2.119 9. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:34.571 +2.249 10. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:34.894 +2.572 11. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:35.051 +2.729 12. Ali Jackson Ultimate M/M 1:35.669 +3.347 13. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:35.726 +3.404 14. John Martin Double R D/M 1:36.536 +4.214 15. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:36.798 +4.476 16. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:36.818 +4.496 17. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:37.004 +4.682 18. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:37.047 +4.725 19. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:37.320 +4.998 20. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:37.586 +5.264 21. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:37.778 +5.456 22. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/M 1:38.550 +6.228 23. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:39.106 +6.784 24. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:40.101 +7.779 25. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:40.138 +7.816 26. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:40.617 +8.295 27. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:41.216 +8.894

Maldonado seeks Monaco double

Chilton to start on race two pole

Chilton takes wet pole at Rockingham

Max Chilton will start tomorrow's first British Formula 3 race at Rockingham from pole position after topping this afternoon's wet qualifying session.

The 17-year-old came out best in a disjointed session, which was red flagged twice due to cars spinning off. Running resumed for the final time with just six minutes remaining and Chilton found some clear air to post a time over four tenths of a second quicker than anyone else.

"I knew I had to find some clear space," he said. "It's so important to get clear laps in, especially in these conditions, and I was first out of the pits after the red flag which made it so much easier."

Atte Mustonen will start alongside Chilton on the front row, ahead of Carlin team-mates Jaime Alguersuari and Sam Abay.

Fortec team-mates Sebastian Hohenthal and Marcus Ericsson sandwich Walter Grubmuller in fifth and seventh places, ahead of Andy Meyrick, who returned to the head of the National Class with eighth overall.

Three of this season's race winners are at the bottom of the top 10, with Oliver Turvey and Brendon Hartley lining up ahead of championship leader Sergio Perez, who will start 11th - three places higher than the 14th spot he won from twice at Monza last weekend.

Chilton to start on race two pole

Monday, May 19, 2008

Chilton to start on race two pole

Max Chilton will start tomorrow's British Formula Three race at Monza from pole position, following the clarification of the results of today's controversial qualifying.

The original session for race one was rained off yesterday, meaning that today's half hour session decided the grid for both races, with each driver's best and second best times counting for a race each.

But today's session was thrown into confusion when several drivers had their best times taken away for cutting the chicanes.

It was eventually confirmed that Chilton will start second today, and head the field for tomorrow's race, alongside today's polesitter Matteo Chinosi.

Atte Mustonen and Michael Devaney will line up on the second row, ahead of Sebastian Hohenthal and Esteban Guerrieri.

Championship leader Sergio Perez will start both races from 14th place after having his best two laps taken away for jumping chicanes.

The organisers have yet to release lap times from the session.

Pos Driver Team Car Time 1. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 2:07.050 2. Matteo Chinosi Ombra (I) D/H 2:07.887 3. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 2:08.018 4. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 2:08.385 5. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 2:08.460 6. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 2:08.516 7. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 2:08.590 8. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 2:08.624 9. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 2:08.664 10. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 2:08.730 11. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 2:08.888 12. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 2:08.975 13. John Martin Double R D/M 2:09.251 14. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 2:09.258 15. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 2:09.533 16. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 2:09.612 17. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 2:09.734 18. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 2:09.963 19. Phillip Major Fortec D/M 2:10.547 20. Kristian Einar Carlin (N) D/H 2:10.933 21. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 2:11.268 22. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 2:11.287 23. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 2:11.476 24. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 2:11.751 25. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 2:12.134 26. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 2:12.397 27. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 2:12.962 28. Federico Leo Ombra (I) D/H 2:13.592(D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Maldonado grabs pole in Barcelona

Valsecchi escapes serious injury

Perez charges to second Monza win

Sergio Perez completed a sensational British Formula 3 weekend at Monza taking a crushing victory from 14th on the grid for the second time in as many days.

The Telmex-backed T-Sport driver had to start from the middle of the pack after having his two fastest times in qualifying taken away for cutting chicanes, but his relentless pace and superbly judged overtaking brought him to the fore again.

The safety car was called on to allow a first lap pile-up at the Ascari chicane to be cleared, and Perez was still 13th when the race restarted. A combination of the power of his Mugen-Honda on the straights (more than a match for the rival Mercedes unit) and his brilliance on the brakes into the chicanes had him up to sixth in just two laps.

He made light work of Ultimate teammates Esteban Guerrieri and Michael Devaney, and Carlin's Jaime Alguersuari, to climb to third, and then patiently picked off Atte Mustonen for second and Max Chilton for the lead.

Once in front, Perez had to soak up pressure from Guerrieri, as he had in the first race, but he was faultless and never looked like surrendering his lead, and the perfect weekend.

"It shows what you can do if you work hard and never give up," Perez told autosport.com. "We were very disappointed with qualifying but I pushed hard, drove intelligently, and didn't make a single mistake.

"I have to thank T-Sport and the Mugen-Honda that I was able to make the most of it because there's no one thing that can make this difference. I had to be driving my best, the team had to be at their best and make the car perfect, and the engine was very strong as well. It's about our whole package."

Behind Perez, Guerrieri scored the result he deserved the previous day. Then he was knocked out of second place, but now he got the better of Mustonen and Chilton to improve Mygale's best F3 result from third last time out at Croft, to second.

Mustonen went some way to making up for the disappointment of yesterday, when he was the victim of a first corner shunt, by taking the final place on the podium.

Nick Tandy put in his best drive yet in JTR's Mygale, fighting his way through from 12th at the end of the first lap to fifth place, ahead of Chilton and Jaime Alguersuari, who drifted out of the fight at the front in the closing stages.

The race was halted a lap shy of the intended distance when Sebastian Hohenthal suffered his second airborne shunt of the weekend at the first chicane, being launched into a roll after contact with Oliver Turvey. The latter was given a 10-second penalty after the race to drop him out of the points.

Pos Driver Team Car Time 1. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 26:22.072 2. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M +0.683 3. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M +2.412 4. Max Chilton Hitech D/M +3.003 5. Nick Tandy JTR M/M +3.063 6. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M +4.373 7. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M +7.569 8. Matteo Chinosi Ombra (I) D/H +8.458 9. John Martin Double R D/M +8.949 10. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M +9.198 11. Sam Abay Carlin D/M +9.295 12. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H +15.619 13. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M +16.059 14. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H +22.309 15. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H +22.722 16. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H +50.411 17. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M +1:17.826 Retirements Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 12 laps Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 8 laps Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 8 laps Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 8 laps Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 4 laps Federico Leo Ombra (I) D/H 0 laps Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 0 laps Henry Arundel Double R D/M 0 laps Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 0 laps Philip Major Fortec D/M 0 laps Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 0 laps Fastest lap Guerrieri, 1:47.926 on lap 12

Perez charges to victory at Monza

Chilton to start on race two pole

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Chinosi grabs pole on guest outing

Matteo Chinosi qualified on pole position for the first British Formula 3 race at Monza this weekend.

The Italian, who currently leads the German F3 championship, is racing at Monza as a one-off in the invitational class with his Ombra Racing team, and was left at the top of the timesheet after a controversial wet qualifying session.

The half hour session was run in heavy rain and several drivers set their best times on laps where they cut one of Monza's chicanes in the tricky conditions.

National Class leader Andy Meyrick was on provisional pole at the end of the session, but was one of many drivers to lose his fastest time for corner cutting, and ended up 12th.

There was some debate over whether Chinosi, who currently leads the German F3 championship, had cut the chicane on his best lap but his time, nearly 1.5 seconds quicker than anyone elses, stands.

Max Chilton qualified second, despite having his best time taken away, with Sam Abay third and Atte Mustonen fourth.

Henry Arundel and Sergio Perez each had their best times taken away and dropped from the front two rows of the grid to 11th and 14th respectively.

The grid for race two will be decided by the second fastest times from today's qualifying session after yesterday's qualifying was rained off.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Matteo Chinosi Ombra (I) D/H 2:05.472 2. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 2:06.904 +1.432 3. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 2:07.305 +1.833 4. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 2:07.697 +2.225 5. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 2:07.952 +2.480 6. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 2:08.166 +2.694 7. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 2:08.272 +2.800 8. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 2:08.280 +2.808 9. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 2:08.305 +2.833 10. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 2:08.415 +2.943 11. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 2:08.430 +2.958 12. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 2:08.485 +3.013 13. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 2:08.532 +3.060 14. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 2:08.987 +3.515 15. John Martin Double R D/M 2:09.048 +3.576 16. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 2:09.209 +3.737 17. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 2:09.351 +3.879 18. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 2:09.361 +3.889 19. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 2:10.054 +4.582 20. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 2:10.222 +4.750 21. Phillip Major Fortec D/M 2:10.359 +4.887 22. Kristhan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 2:10.529 +5.057 23. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 2:11.109 +5.637 24. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 2:11.119 +5.647 25. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 2:11.225 +5.753 26. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 2:11.236 +5.764 27. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 2:11.977 +6.505 28. Federico Leo Ombra (I) D/H 2:13.299 +7.827 (D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Alguersuari quickest in Monza practice

Devaney hoping for better luck

Michael Devaney is eager to turn around his fortunes in British Formula 3 this season and hopes a change of car number will bring about better luck.

The Irishman carried the number 13 on his Ultimate Motorsport Mygale for the first two rounds of the season, but changed to No.16 after the round at Croft last month where he lost a maiden podium finish when his engine cut out on the last lap.

"I'm not superstitious in the slightest," he told autosport.com. "I changed it more to shut people up because everyone else was banging on about 13 bringing me bad luck.

"But we came here with No.16 on the car and the gearbox broke at the start of second practice yesterday, so it obviously hasn't made that much difference.

"We just need to work on the reliability of the car and get a good run together."

Galaxy looking for scoring balance

Dynamo breathe easy after first win

Mygale drivers eye Monza victory

Perez takes maiden F3 win at Croft

Perez charges to victory at Monza

Sergio Perez stormed through from 14th on the grid to take his second British Formula 3 victory in as many meetings at Monza this afternoon.

The T-Sport driver's progress was aided by a first corner shunt that eliminated three cars and delayed half a dozen more.

Sebastian Hohenthal clouted the back of Atte Mustonen under braking for the first chicane and Max Chilton was also eliminated as several cars took to the grass and escape road in avoidance.

Perez was up to seventh by the end of the second lap and third by the end of the fifth. He then passed early leaders Sam Abay and Jaime Alguersuari in quick succession and controlled the remainder of the race.

He was briefly put under pressure by Esteban Guerrieri, but it started to rain with five laps to go and Perez edged clear as Guerrieri fell back into the battle behind him.

"It was a fantastic, the best race I've ever done," said Perez. "I did everything right. I knew I had the speed to win but it was important to be intelligent and patient, and it went perfectly."

Guerrieri soon found himself in the middle of the fight between Carlin Motorsport team-mates Brendon Hartley and Alguersuari, who were trading places on the long drags. Hartley erred on the side of caution when it became a three-way scrap, and decided to sit back and watch the other two fight it out as the track got more slippery.

The decision paid off as Alguersuari and Guerrieri collided at the first Lesmo, and the way was clear for Hartley to complete his climb from 13th to second.

"I've been too aggressive a few times this season and it hasn't worked out too well," said Hartley. "I was patient, especially when it started raining, because anything can happen at Monza.

"They were fighting closely and I could see what was going to happen. I could never have expected to be on the podium from 13th but it just shows what's possible if you have the speed and drive a sensible race."

Oliver Turvey also benefited and was next up in third, from ninth on the grid, ahead of a frantic battle between Walter Grubmuller, John Martin, Abay, and Marcus Ericsson.

Alguersuari survived the clash with Guerrieri to finish eighth, but was given a 25-second penalty that dropped him out of the points.

Pos Driver Team Car Time 1. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 31:17.244 2. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M +4.238 3. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M +6.220 4. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M +6.319 5. John Martin Double R D/M +6.454 6. Sam Abay Carlin D/M +7.427 7. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M +7.454 8. Matteo Chinosi Ombra (I) D/H +18.460 9. Phillip Major Fortec D/M +27.091 10. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H +33.637 11. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H +34.352 12. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M +12.808 13. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H +39.500 14. Federico Leo Ombra (I) D/H +39.868 15. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H +49.004 16. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M +2 Laps Not classified Driver Team Car Laps Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M DSQ Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 6 laps Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 5 laps Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 3 laps Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 2 laps Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1 lap Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1 lap Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1 lap Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1 lap Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 0 laps Henry Arundel Double R D/M 0 laps Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 0 laps Fastest lap Guerrieri, 1:47.378 on lap 7 (D/M = Dallara Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda, M/M = Mygale Mercedes)

Parente romps to win on debut

Alguersuari quickest in Monza practice

Drivers hit by penalties in Istanbul

Saturday, May 17, 2008

Qualifying rained off at Monza

This afternoon's qualifying session for race one of British Formula 3's visit to Monza was abandoned after just six minutes due to heavy rain.

The decision was taken to start the session despite a heavy downpour, but it was red-flagged when Brendon Hartley went off on his second lap and had to get a lift back to the pits on the back of a lorry.

Officials tried to wait for the rain to ease off, but the storm persisted and with rivers running across the circuit in several places it was deemed too dangerous for single-seaters.

At the time of the red flag, only 14 of the 27 cars had completed a lap and the team bosses agreed that the session would not be counted. Instead, tomorrow's session, which was scheduled to decide the grid for race two, will now count for both.

Each driver's best time will count towards race one, with their second best qualifying laps deciding the grid for race two.

Pantano tops Istanbul free practice

Oakes to miss Monza race

Alguersuari quickest in Monza practice

Jaime Alguersuari set the quickest time of this morning's British Formula 3 practice sessions at Monza.

The 18-year-old, hoping to return to winning ways this weekend, edged out his Carlin Motorsport teammate Brendon Hartley by less than a tenth of a second in the quicker of the day's two sessions.

But Alguersuari maintains that a strong grid position is not a given, with qualifying at Monza so dependent on getting a tow on a flying lap.

"Anything can happen yet," he said. "It will come down to who gets a tow at the right time. It's very important but you can't try to arrange with other cars because that just ends up a mess. You have to try to make the most of it when you're out there."

Hartley was pleased to continue his good form, after winning last time out at Croft, ahead of Esteban Guerrieri in the lead Mygale and championship leader Sergio Perez's Honda-powered T-Sport entry.

"Things are going well so far," said Hartley. "The car feels good and I'm confident, so I hope we can continue it in the sessions that really count."

Oliver Turvey and Atte Mustonen completed the top six, ahead of Henry Arundel, who put in one his best performances of the season so far as the highest placed driver not to have raced at Monza before.

"The circuit is an amazing place and I feel I've adapted well to it," said Arundel. "We run a lot less wing here than at most places, which changes the feel of the car slightly, and I've adjusted quite quickly."

Marcus Ericsson, Sam Abay, and Max Chilton, who was fastest in the morning's first session by a clear half a second, completed the top 10.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:46:385 2. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:46.471 +0.086 3. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:46.590 +0.205 4. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:46.640 +0.255 5. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:46.642 +0.257 6. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:46.723 +0.338 7. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:46.740 +0.355 8. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:46.821 +0.436 9. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:46.832 +0.447 10. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:47.023 +0.638 11. John Martin Double R D/M 1:47.059 +0.674 12. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:47.064 +0.679 13. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:47.324 +0.939 14. Matteo Chinosi Ombra (I) D/H 1:47.335 +0.950 15. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:47.407 +1.022 16. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:47.483 +1.098 17. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:48.019 +1.634 18. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:48.159 +1.774 19. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:48.175 +1.790 20. Phillip Major Fortec D/M 1:48.451 +2.066 21. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:48.453 +2.068 22. Federico Leo Ombra (I) D/H 1:48.586 +2.201 23. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:48.637 +2.252 24. Kristhan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:49.428 +3.043 25. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:49.575 +3.190 26. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:50.031 +3.646 27. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:50.052 +3.667 (D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Abay dominates second Croft practice

Ratel offers 2009 British F3 deal

British Formula 3 promoter Stephane Ratel presented the teams with his offer for the series to remain on his SRO package next season at Monza today.

The British F3 teams' association is considering switching the championship from SRO's British F3/GT package to join the TOCA-run British Touring Car Championship bill for next season.

Ratel outlined the proposal for his 2009 package to the teams this morning and believes he has made them a strong offer, which includes headline status and continued rounds in Europe.

A statement from SRO read: "The commercial package will enable the series to remain a leading player in European motorsport. We believe the offer is in the best interests of the teams and the future of British F3."

The teams' association will now consider Ratel's offer alongside the proposal to switch to the BTCC bill, and are expected to reach a final decision by the Snetterton round of the series next month.

Raikkonen Robertson Racing boss Anthony 'Boyo' Hieatt said: "As far as I can see, there isn't much new on the table. But we need to get together and decide what's best for the series."

Fellow team boss Trevor Carlin added: "We need to all sit down together, discuss it, compare it with what else is on the table, and form a collective opinion."

ITV4 to broadcast GP2 this season

RSL won’t take play-in game lightly

Teams consider BTCC package move

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Oakes to miss Monza race

British Formula 3 racer Oliver Oakes will miss this weekend's rounds of the championship at Monza.

The 20-year-old made his debut in the series at the second event of the year at Croft last month but his car was substantially damaged in a six-car pile up in race two.

Although the car was rebuilt in time for Oakes to take part in last week's test at Rockingham, he has elected to skip the Italian round in order to catch up on the development of his Eurotek Motorsport-run Dallara Mercedes.

"It seems like the sensible thing to do," he said. "Not doing Monza gives us time to prepare for the race at Rockingham the week after.

"In terms of the championship, we're on the back foot now and I think we'd simply be making up the numbers if we went to Italy.

"We beat several of the bigger teams at Croft but I don't want to be aiming just for finishes, I want to be winning."

Bakkerud to miss Istanbul race

Mixed fortunes for Super Nova duo

Valles replaces Nocera at BCN

Mygale drivers eye Monza victory

Oakes to make F3 debut with Eurotek

Teams consider BTCC package move

Abay dominates second Croft practice

Friday, May 9, 2008

Hulkenberg secures pole at Mugello

Pre-season title favourite Nico Hulkenberg claimed his second F3 Euro Series pole position of the season in qualifying for the second round of the season at Mugello today.

The ART Grand Prix driver eclipsed Manor Motorsport's Kodai Tsukakoshi by 0.166secs to earn pole in warm conditions at the Tuscany circuit in a session which saw the top 15 covered by less than a second.

Chrsitian Vietoris and Renger van der Zande made it four different teams in the top four by filling the second row of the grid for Mucke Motorsport and Prema Powerteam, although ART's Jules Bianchi only just missed out on fourth on the grid by one-thousandth of a second.

James Jakes joined team-mate Bianchi on the third row, with Edoardo Mortara the best of the Volkswagen-engined Dallaras in seventh place ahead of Prema's Dani Close.

Free practice pacesetter Mika Maki and Manor's Kazuya Oshima completed the top 10.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Nico Hulkenberg ART D/M 1:41.443 2. Kodai Tsukakoshi Manor D/M 1:41.609 +0.166 3. Christian Vietoris Mucke D/M 1:41.765 +0.322 4. Renger van der Zande Prema D/M 1:41.905 +0.462 5. Jules Bianchi ART D/M 1:41.906 +0.463 6. James Jakes ART D/M 1:42.099 +0.656 7. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V 1:42.108 +0.665 8. Dani Clos Prema D/M 1:42.116 +0.673 9. Mika Maki Mucke D/M 1:42.136 +0.693 10. Kazuya Oshima Manor D/M 1:42.149 +0.706 11. Henkie Waldschmidt SG D/M 1:42.242 +0.799 12. Niall Breen Manor D/M 1:42.287 +0.844 13. Richard Philippe Carlin D/M 1:42.314 +0.871 14. Yann Clairay SG D/M 1:42.396 +0.953 15. Erik Janis Mucke D/M 1:42.432 +0.989 16. Charlie Kimball Prema D/M 1:42.449 +1.006 17. Sam Bird Manor D/M 1:42.462 +1.019 18. Tom Dillmann SG D/M 1:42.606 +1.163 19. Franck Mailleux Signature D/V 1:42.624 +1.181 20. Daniel Campos-Hull HBR D/M 1:42.753 +1.310 21. Stefano Coletti Signature D/V 1:42.781 +1.338 22. Jon Lancaster ART D/M 1:42.836 +1.393 23. Rodolfo Gonzalez Carlin D/M 1:42.863 +1.420 24. Jean-Karl Vernay Signature D/V 1:42.866 +1.423 25. Michael Klein Jo Zeller D/M 1:43.089 +1.646 26. Maximilian Gotz RC D/V 1:43.122 +1.679 27. Jens Klingmann RC D/V 1:43.577 +2.134 28. Martin Plowman RC D/V 1:43.859 +2.416 29. Basil Shaaban HBR D/M 1:43.912 +2.469(D/M = Dallara Mercedes, D/V = Dallara Volkswagen)

Abay dominates second Croft practice

Sam Abay finished over a second clear at the head on the field in today's second British Formula 3 practice session at Croft.

The session was wet throughout and the Australian found himself some clear air to work on the set-up of his car while most of his rivals ran around in spray and traffic.

"I knew there was more to come half way through the session so I left the car the same and when I pushed again I started to feel that it was working," he told autosport.com.

"I didn't want to be in traffic because when you're following or passing people you don't get a chance to fully feel what your car is doing. It's only practice so being quickest doesn't mean that much, but it's definitely a good sign."

The wet conditions caught most drivers out, with several cars sliding off the track more than once and two red flags breaking up and eventually ending the 50-minute session.

Abay's Carlin Motorsport teammate Oliver Turvey was second quickest, with Marcus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsport) in the top three again.

Jaime Alguersuari made it three Carlin cars in the top four, ahead of the second Fortec of Sebastian Hohenthal and the lead Raikkonen Robertson car of Atte Mustonen.

Jay Bridger this time led the National Class runners, seventh overall, ahead of Nick Tandy in the first Mygale.

Oliver Oakes ended his first day in the series in ninth place after a strong performance in the rain where he ran fourth for much of the session.

"It's not bad for the first day," he said. "The car felt good, particularly in the first half of the session, and I think we'll be quick if it's a wet weekend."

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap Laps 1. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:24.226 18 2. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:25.367 +1.141 26 3. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:25.442 +1.216 24 4. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:25.494 +1.268 25 5. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:25.508 +1.282 23 6. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:25.892 +1.666 18 7. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:26.088 +1.862 21 8. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:26.127 +1.901 18 9. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:26.166 +1.940 20 10. John Martin Double R D/M 1:26.365 +2.139 11 11. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:26.367 +2.141 23 12. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:26.431 +2.205 22 13. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:26.458 +2.232 24 14. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:26.804 +2.578 25 15. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:26.890 +2.664 17 16. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:27.023 +2.797 15 17. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:27.041 +2.815 15 18. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:27.119 +2.893 25 19. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 1:27.827 +3.601 18 20. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:28.523 +4.297 21 21. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:29.361 +5.135 22 22. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:29.390 +5.164 26 23. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:29.471 +5.245 24 24. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:29.727 +5.501 13 25. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:30.674 +6.448 21 26. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:31.742 +7.516 20 27. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:31.910 +7.684 19 28. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:32.383 +8.157 25(D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Perez eyeing title after first win

Sergio Perez is eyeing the British Formula 3 title after his team T-Sport scored their first outright victory in the series at Croft last weekend.

Perez's victory in the first race on Sunday was the team's first overall race win in five years in the series, and also the first win for a Honda-powered car since Christian Bakkereud's win at Mugello in September 2006.

Perez, who won the National Class title with T-Sport last season, now leads the championship by four points.

"I'm so happy to be the one to give T-Sport their first win because they've worked so hard for it. They might be a small team but they're as good as anyone. It's great to show that the Honda is as good as the Mercedes too."

With the first win out of the way, the Mexican is now targeting the title.

"Our aim isn't just to win races now, we want to win the championship."

Despite Perez leading every lap of the race, it was anything but calm on the pit wall.

"That was the longest half hour of my life," said team boss Russell Eacott. "When it's a wet but drying track the grip is changing every lap and it's so easy to make a mistake and throw it all away. But whatever Seb threw at him, he could respond and pull the gap back out.

"It doesn't matter what happens now, we've done it. We've achieved what we set out to do when we had the crazy idea of starting a team. It was a long time coming but you have to have everything in place.

"The best thing is that we genuinely had the pace. There were no other circumstances to the win, he was just quicker than everyone else. Of course we'll be thinking about the championship now, but this is just one win. It's a long, long season and we need to keep getting results."

Eacott also believes the victory showed that smaller teams and the Honda engine are capable of winning races in the series.

"It's important that we can show that T-Sport and Honda can beat the other teams and their Mercedes'. We knew we had a capable driver in Sergio from last year, but he also knew everything about us. We didn't need to sell ourselves to him, or convince him that the package could win, he knew it already."

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Perez takes maiden F3 win at Croft

Sergio Perez scored his and his T-Sport team's first outright British Formula 3 victory in a wet first race at Croft this afternoon.

The Mexican started on the front row and assumed the lead straight away when polesitter Marcus Ericsson made a poor getaway.

The circuit was drying throughout the half-hour race and Perez managed his tyres, and the gap to second-placed Sebastian Hohenthal, perfectly to earn a historic victory, which was also the first for a Honda-powered car in the series since Christian Bakkerud's win at Mugello in September 2006.

The battle for third raged in the closing stages of the race when Michael Devaney, who had held the place from the start, began to be caught by his Ultimate Motorsport team-mate, Esteban Guerrieri. Atte Mustonen was also in close attendance in the lead Double R car.

Devaney was robbed of his first British F3 podium on the last lap when a misfire allowed Guerrieri to pull alongside him and execute a nail-biting pass on the slippery inside line at Tower.

Mustonen also dragged past Devaney on the run down to Sunny, and the Irishman lost drive altogether exiting the last corner, eventually coasting over the line in 16th place.

Ericsson ended up fifth in a frustrating race for the Swede. He struggled with horrendous understeer for the first half of the race and tumbled down to seventh, until his car suddenly came alive as the circuit began to dry. He was able to lap half a second faster than his rivals towards the end, but it was too late to recover any higher than fifth.

Pos Driver Team Car Gap 1. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 30:49.794 2. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M +4.294 3. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M +5.568 4. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M +7.267 5. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M +9.769 6. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M +17.691 7. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M +18.840 8. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M +19.456 9. John Martin Double R D/M +20.539 10. Sam Abay Carlin D/M +24.608 11. Henry Arundel Double R D/M +25.446 12. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M +28.292 13. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H +29.290 14. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M +29.754 15. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H +45.174 16. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M +51.717 17. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H +1:00.280 18. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H +1:14.216 19. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H +1:19.730 20. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H +1 lap 21. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H +1 lap 22. Max Chilton Hitech D/M +1 lap 23. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H +1 lap 24. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H +3 laps Not classified Driver Team Car Gap Nick Tandy JTR M/M 3 laps Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 0 laps Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 0 laps Philip Major Fortec D/M 0 laps Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 0 laps Fastest lap, Chilton 1:18.711 on lap 21

Hartley on pole for race two

Brendon Hartley put his recent struggles behind him to qualify on pole position for race two at Croft this weekend.

The Kiwi hadn't got the best out of his Carlin Motorsport car so far this weekend but hooked everything up early in the second half hour session this afternoon and denied Marcus Ericsson his second pole of the day by 0.043 seconds.

Ericsson still qualified second, with Perez also relegated one place from this morning in third.

Carlin team-mates Oliver Turvey and Sam Abay both improved their positions from this morning, jumping up to fourth and fifth. Atte Mustonen also bettered his morning run with sixth place.

The Mygale runners suffered with Esteban Guerrieri the best in eighth while his Ultimate Motorsport team-mate Michael Devaney will start from the back having not set a time in the session.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:13.237 2. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:13.280 +0.043 3. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:13.446 +0.209 4. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:13.495 +0.258 5. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:13.502 +0.265 6. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:13.566 +0.329 7. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:13.589 +0.352 8. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:13.649 +0.412 9. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:13.720 +0.483 10. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 1:13.794 +0.557 11. John Martin Double R D/M 1:13.800 +0.563 12. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:14.070 +0.833 13. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:14.310 +1.073 14. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:14.347 +1.110 15. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:14.357 +1.120 16. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:14.639 +1.402 17. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.714 +1.477 18. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:14.806 +1.569 19. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:14.828 +1.591 20. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:14.866 +1.629 21. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:14.879 +1.642 22. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:15.053 +1.816 23. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:15.119 +1.882 24. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:15.210 +1.973 25. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:15.349 +2.112 26. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:15.365 +2.128 27. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:16.356 +3.119 28. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:16.809 +3.572 29. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M no time

Sergio Perez was quickest out of the blocks in the second British Formula 3 weekend of the season at Croft today.

The T-Sport driver set the fastest time in today's first practice session, just 0.017 seconds ahead of joint championship leader Marcus Ericsson.

Brendon Hartley was third quickest despite an off towards the end of the session, with his Carlin Motorsport teammate Sam Abay fourth.

Nick Tandy again led the Mygale charge for JTR in fifth place, with Australian John Martin completing the top six for Raikkonen Robertson Racing.

Andy Meyrick led the National Class runners in 13th place, while Oliver Oakes and Viktor Jensen were 20th and 25th respectively on their first outings of the season.

A second practice session will follow later this afternoon before qualifying on Saturday morning.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Laps 1. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:12.525 20 2. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:12.542 25 3. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:12.624 25 4. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:12.711 29 5. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:12.743 20 6. John Martin Double R D/M 1:12.779 21 7. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:12.823 29 8. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:12.911 26 9. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:12.936 14 10. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 1:13.054 23 11. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:13.131 22 12. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:13.137 23 13. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:13.231 24 14. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:13.300 27 15. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:13.305 24 16. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:13.340 25 17. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:13.386 24 18. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:13.405 19 19. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:13.503 23 20. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:14.018 18 21. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.067 24 22. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.071 25 23. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:14.272 19 24. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:14.501 23 25. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:14.834 22 26. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:15.233 23 27. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:17.169 17 28. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:17.445 10 (D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Mygale drivers eye Monza victory

British Formula 3's Mygale drivers believe they will be able to fight for the chassis' maiden victory in the next round at Monza on May 17-18.

Esteban Guerrieri scored the first podium for the chassis in the first race at Croft last weekend, while his Ultimate Motorsport teammate Michael Devaney was also in contention for the podium, and JTR's Joe Tandy finished sixth in race two.

Devaney, who lost the third place at Croft to Guerrieri when he suffered an engine failure on the last lap, believes the high-speed, low-downforce nature of the Monza circuit will give the Mygale its best chance to take an outright victory.

"I think we can win with this car," he told autosport.com. "It's definitely quick enough, we just need the reliability. Monza should suit us well because we've got less downforce and drag than the Dallara, but we'll need a trouble-free run."

Guerrieri added: "It's great to see all the hard work that's gone into this car pay off. We proved at Croft that if the car is right and the conditions are right, we can be quick enough. I think we have the ability to win."

Teams consider BTCC package move

ITV4 to broadcast GP2 this season

Teams consider BTCC package move

The British Formula 3 teams are considering a switch to the better-supported British Touring Car package for 2009, but current promoter Stephane Ratel will present his offer for them to remain on his SRO bill at Monza next month.

Ratel will give the teams one month to decide which way they want to go, but the decision is likely to hinge on whether the details of the proposed switch to the TOCA-run BTCC meetings, which draw much bigger crowds than the current F3 events, can be arranged in time.

T-Sport boss, and F3 teams' association vice president, Russell Eacott said: "Stephane will make his offer at Monza. He'll outline his package and probably say 'if you like it, let's do it'. If we don't, he'll wish us luck wherever else we go.

"We'll wait and see what he comes up with, then see what other offers follow it, and decide what we want to do."

If the series is to part with SRO, another organisation will have to be ready to run and market the championship in time for next season.

Hitech Racing boss David Hayle added: "I don't think it's a secret that there are two options being discussed, but we don't know the finer details of a possible move to TOCA yet. We need to have two viable options to weigh up before we can decide which one is best for British F3."

But SRO are confident they can offer the teams an attractive enough package for them to stay on the current bill.

"We hope they consider our option as a strong and stable platform for the growth of British F3 as a deserved headline event and not a support series," said an SRO spokesman.

"The package will include the benefits associated with dual headline status, European races on Formula One circuits, and unique events such as the Bucharest street race.

"We believe it's important to create a package that will attract the top young drivers from around the world to further establish the British series as the leading F3 category."

Maki wins second Mugello race

Finn Mika Maki made it two wins in four starts in the Formula Three Euro Series with a dominant victory in today's second race at Mugello.

The Mucke Motorsport driver made a flying start from third on the grid to cut between front row starters Dani Clos (Prema) and Yann Clairay (SG Formula) and lead by several car lengths into the first corner.

Maki established a two-second lead on the first lap and never looked seriously threatened by Clairay, who claimed his first F3 Euro Series podium finish with an impressive second, albeit almost seven seconds behind.

Mortara took a comfortable third to stay level on points with Maki at the top of the championship, while Jules Bianchi resisted pressure from ART Grand Prix teammate Nico Hulkenberg in the first half of the race to take fourth.

Hulkenberg, who won Saturday's first race, had to hold off the charging Manor Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes of Niall Breen in the closing stages. Breen had fought his way past Frank Mailleux, Clos and race one star Kodai Tsukakoshi during the race and claimed a well-earned point after just missing out on reverse grip pole position.

Tsukakoshi himself ended up pointless in third, with Sam Bird climbing to ninth ahead of Clos.

Prema's Renger van der Zande was unable to start from fourth on the grid because of a technical problem which meant he had to start from the pit lane. He finished 20th, one place behind Christian Vietoris who had stalled from third on the grid in Saturday's race.

Pos Driver Team Car Time 1. Mika Maki Mucke D/M 36:23.276 2. Yann Clairay SG Formula D/M + 6.705 3. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V + 11.610 4. Jules Bianchi ART D/M + 12.772 5. Nico Hülkenberg ART D/M + 14.184 6. Niall Breen Manor D/M + 15.201 7. Kodai Tsukakoshi Manor D/M + 15.737 8. Sam Bird Manor D/M + 16.218 9. Daniel Clos Prema D/M + 17.009 10. Franck Mailleux Signature D/V + 20.179 11. Stefano Coletti Signature D/V + 30.782 12. Michael Klein Jo Zeller D/M + 34.542 13. Rodolfo Gonzalez Carlin D/M + 35.054 14. Basil Shaaban HBR D/M + 36.399 15. James Jakes ART D/M + 37.487 16. Erik Janis Mucke D/M + 38.694 17. Richard Philippe Carlin D/M + 38.762 18. Kazuya Oshima Manor D/M + 39.868 19. Christian Vietoris Mucke D/M + 40.492 20. Renger van der Zande Prema D/M + 40.907 21. Daniel Campos HBR D/M + 44.741 22. Maximilian Gotz RC D/V + 45.810 23. Martin Plowman RC D/V + 51.038 24. Jens Klingmann RC D/V +1:11.349 25. Jon Lancaster ART D/M +1:21.150 26. Henkie Waldschmidt SG Formula D/M + 2 laps 27. Tom Dillmann SG Formula D/M + 2 laps Not classified:Driver Team Car Laps Jean-Karl Vernay Signature D/V 10 Charlie Kimball Prema D/M 0 (D/M = Dallara-Mercedes, D/V = Dallara-Volkswagen)

Filippi rues pointless weekend

Mygale drivers eye Monza victory

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Ericsson takes maiden pole at Croft

Marcus Ericsson took his maiden British Formula 3 pole position in first qualifying at Croft today.

The Swedish rookie, who has a share in the championship lead after the opening rounds at Oulton Park last month, pulled out a 1:12.7 second lap towards the end of the half hour session to snatch pole from Esteban Guerrieri, who held the top spot for much of the session.

Sergio Perez proved that the Mugen-Honda engine is just as strong as the Mercedes by putting it on the front row, ahead of Ericsson's Fortec Motorsport team-mate Sebastian Hohenthal who was third.

Michael Devaney and Guerrieri ended up fourth and fifth for Ultimate Motorsport, in the best showing so far for the new Mygale chassis.

Carlin Motorsport lost the dominance they enjoyed at Oulton, but are still in touch with their four drivers qualifying sixth, seventh, ninth, and 10th, sandwiching Ricardo Teixeira in the third Ultimate car.

Pos Driver Team Car Time Gap 1. Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 1:12.733 2. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 1:12.867 +0.134 3. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 1:12.937 +0.204 4. Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1:12.965 +0.232 5. Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 1:12.979 +0.246 6. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 1:13.015 +0.282 7. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 1:13.077 +0.344 8. Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 1:13.077 +0.344 9. Sam Abay Carlin D/M 1:13.142 +0.409 10. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 1:13.222 +0.489 11. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 1:13.264 +0.531 12. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 1:13.268 +0.535 13. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 1:13.389 +0.656 14. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 1:13.468 +0.735 15. John Martin Double R D/M 1:13.587 +0.854 16. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 1:13.629 +0.896 17. Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 1:13.719 +0.986 18. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 1:13.723 +0.990 19. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.109 +1.376 20. Philip Major Fortec D/M 1:14.250 +1.517 21. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 1:14.317 +1.584 22. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 1:14.609 +1.876 23. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 1:14.930 +2.197 24. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 1:15.023 +2.290 25. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 1:15.031 +2.298 26. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 1:15.098 +2.365 27. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 1:15.304 +2.571 28. Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 1:15.562 +2.829 29. Henry Arundel Double R D/M 1:20.228 +7.495(D/M = Dallara Mercedes, M/M = Mygale Mercedes, D/H = Dallara Mugen-Honda)

Hartley wins race two at Croft

Brendon Hartley became the fourth driver to take his maiden Formula 3 win in the first four races of the British championship, with victory at Croft this afternoon.

The Carlin Motorsport driver led from start to finish in a race which was red flagged and restarted after a huge six-car accident on the first lap.

Sergio Perez and Marcus Ericsson tangled exiting the Jim Clark Esses and Ericsson spun onto the infield and back across the circuit. Several cars had to take to the grass in avoidance, including Sam Abay who spun as he rejoined the circuit and was t-boned by Henry Arundel, while Esteban Guerrieri went into the wall on the outside.

Oliver Oakes hit the marshal's post on the outside of Barcroft after he was hit from behind by Niall Quinn when he braked to avoid the carnage.

Six cars were eliminated immediately, with only Perez of those involved continuing. No drivers were seriously injured, but a marshal was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg. It's thought that he may have been struck by Oakes's car as it went into the barrier he was standing behind.

When the race restarted, Hartley broke away immediately and controlled a gap of between one and two seconds over Perez for the duration of the race.

"It was frustrating to lose my lead when the red flag came out," said Hartley. "But I knew I had a 3.5 second lead in my pocket for the aggregate result so I was in a good position from the restart.

"I just needed to drive a sensible race to get the first win out the way, get some confidence back, and to help the team's confidence in me as well. It's a shame the win didn't come earlier but I really need to continue it now."

Oliver Turvey secured the final podium place when he dived inside Atte Mustonen at Tower four laps from the end.

Jaime Alguersuari and Sebastian Hohenthal bagged another couple of points finishes in fifth and seventh, sandwiching Nick Tandy who was the sole remaining Mygale in sixth.

Pos Driver Team Car Aggregate Time 1. Brendon Hartley Carlin D/M 23:39.172 2. Sergio Perez T-Sport D/H 23:43.320 3. Oliver Turvey Carlin D/M 23:55.361 4. Atte Mustonen Double R D/M 23:56.924 5. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin D/M 23:58.927 6. Nick Tandy JTR M/M 24:01.051 7. Sebastian Hohenthal Fortec D/M 24:02.370 8. Andy Meyrick Carlin (N) D/H 24:14.532 9. Alistair Jackson Double R D/M 24:19.173 10. Max Chilton Hitech D/M 24:25.187 11. Walter Grubmuller Hitech D/M 24:30.335 12. Salman Al-Khalifa T-Sport (N) D/H 24:32.916 13. Hywel Lloyd CF (N) D/H 24:38.705 14. Jay Bridger Fluid (N) D/H 24:39.401 15. Viktor Jensen Nexa D/H 24:49.876 16. Steven Guerrero T-Sport (N) D/H 24:57.405 17. Kristjan Einar Carlin (N) D/H 25:00.364 18. Stefan Wilson Fluid (N) D/H 25:05.983 19. Craig Reiff Nexa (N) D/H 25:09.846 20. Philip Major Fortec D/M +1 lap 21. John Martin Double R D/M +2 laps Not classified Driver Team Car Laps Ricardo Teixeira Ultimate M/M 13 laps Michael Devaney Ultimate M/M 1 lap Henry Arundel Double R D/M 0 laps Marcus Ericsson Fortec D/M 0 laps Esteban Guerrieri Ultimate M/M 0 laps Oliver Oakes Eurotek D/M 0 laps Sam Abay Carlin D/M 0 laps Niall Quinn Loctite (N) D/H 0 laps Fastest lap, Hartley 1:13.685 on lap 7