Feature | F1 Prospects

Fórmula 3 Sudamericana Petrobras. It’s the Champagne of Motorsports (at least that far south)

Aug 312010

Intro:

Since 1987 the South American Formula 3 Championship (Fórmula 3 Sudamericana Petrobras ) has been the top formula series in South American motorsports. The most updated series in that “half” of the continent it is under the supervision of the Motorsports Confederation of South American (Codasur) and the Brazilian Confederation of Motorsport (CBA).

For the first couple years it fulfilled its goal of showcasing the “who’s who” in local motorsport. Later it turned into the top step of the ladder for young professional drivers on their way to the old continent to carry on their motorsport careers.

Former champs are Leonel Friederich in 1987, Gabriel Furlán in 1989, 94, 96 and 98, Christian Fittipaldi in 1990, Bruno Jumqueira in 1997, Vitor Meira in 2000 and the now famous for the wrong reasons Nelson Piquet Jr. 2002.

Other distinguished participants were Rubens Barichello, Ricardo Zonta, Christiano da Matta, Helio Castroneves, Bruno Junqueira, Vitor Meira and Ana Biatriz.

Former driver Augusto Cesario’s team Cesario Formula has been the reference “squadra” for all others as one of his drivers has won every championship since 2003.

This season is no different. Bruno Andrade, a member of Cesario´s team as well, is leading as of today the championship.

The Inside Line by Bec Jaeger: Arousal, Anxiety and Stress

Driver Development, Feature No Responses »

Aug 232010

“Racing itself is everything everyone told me it would be – but you’re never prepared for how completely different it is from what I knew”.
George Miedecke
Australian V8 Ute series driver to Nascar Rookie

Inside Line gives you the inside read to what it is that can keep a driver in his seat and successful. To be the best, to be consistent and to follow in the footsteps of former champions may cause a driver to have high expectations and pressure to perform week in week out. When you are racing, you do not want to have these high expectations or pressure when you are driving at 200-300kmph.

This month’s focus is on anxiety, stress and the pre-race performance jitters, otherwise known as performance arousal.

Rocky and I will provide simple explanations, examples and techniques you can adopt to perform in your “ideal state”.

The new, Formula 1 inspired 2011 GP2 car

Feature, GP2 No Responses »

Jul 282010

The new GP2/2011 car at Magny Cours, France. World Copyright: Alastair Staley/GP2 Media Service

The brand new 2011-2013 GP2 car hit the track in earnest for testing on July 5th with Ben Hanley in the cockpit. Because it was felt that the current iteration of GP2 car is too different from the current Formula 1 car GP2 drivers aspire to, a new car was required. It’s links to F1 are strong as Pirelli is using it as a testing platform for their entry as Formula 1′s sole tire supplier in 2011 so already the credentials are there. The fact that the GP2 car will be shod with the same rubber as F1 cars bodes well for next year’s drivers.

Some have said it looks remarkably similar to this year’s Sauber F1 machine and there is no doubt that it looks much like a current F1 machine (unfortunately in my mind) but the actual chassis is pretty similar to the current model with mainly an enlarged driver head protection area so there is the possibility of using a 20100-era chassis modified to incorporate the 2011 changes. That being said, the aerodynamic package of the car has been completely overhauled to bring it more into line with the current generation of Formula 1 cars so GP2 is working hard to be THE final stepping stone to Formula 1.

More details as we get them as far as performance goes. All photos courtesy of Gp2 Media Services. World Copyright: Alastair Staley/GP2 Media Service.

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F1 Prospects chats with driver Stefano Coletti who talks about his hectic schedule of racing in WSR and GP3, technology ruining the sport and his tip for the F1 title!

Driver Profile, Feature, GP3, World Series By Renault No Responses »

Jul 222010

F1 Prospects' Leandra Graves with Stefano Coletti

Leandra Graves caught up with Stefano Coletti at the Silverstone GP3 weekend ahead of practice who graciously sat down with her to talk about racing and his plans to move up the motorsport ladder.

Leandra: So is this your first time racing at the Silverstone circuit this weekend?

Coletti: “I raced in the UK in 2008 at Brands Hatch and 2007 in Donington but never raced at Silverstone. It looks nice, I walked the track yesterday. It’s not that much of a new track though as there are only 3 new corners since it’s been redesigned. The whole first section and last section is all the same. If you know the track u obviously have an advantage, but I’m a quick learner he laughed. I learn new tracks well so it should be ok. I have been in the simulator to look at this circuit too.”

Leandra: Tell us what it’s like to be racing in two race series this season? Racing in GP3 and World Series by Renault, must keep you extremely busy?

Coletti: “Over the past 9 weeks, I’ve raced 8 weekends. So I haven’t had a break yet. I have signed up for 2 series to gain experience and also to learn the tracks for GP2 next yr. In the World Series they have a break during the summer and I didn’t fancy doing nothing, I wanted to be racing.”

Leandra: Do you enjoy the hectic schedule or do you find it too pressurized?

Coletti: “I enjoy racing so much, even after 8 weekends. I am a little bit tired now but yes it’s nice, I am enjoying it.”

Leandra: You mentioned learning the GP2 circuits for 2011, do you have a deal signed and sealed for next season?

Coletti: “The plan is GP3 next year, that’s not confirmed as yet, but that’s what I hope to be doing.”

Leandra: Which series do you enjoy racing in more, WSR or GP3?

Coletti: “Do I have to answer that? (laughs). The World Series is a bigger car. More grip, more horsepower. It’s a quicker car by around 5-6 seconds. So it’s quite exciting. GP3 is exciting too as there’s a lot more cars on the grid and you can overtake more easily than a car with more aero. It’s nicer for actually driving the car in the races as it’s a lot of fun.”

Leandra: How do you feel racing in the GP3 on the same weekends as the F1? That must be a nice feeling performing on such a large scale?

Coletti: “Yes its true, people look at the GP3 because it’s on at the F1 weekend. That may not be the case at the World Series, but here people are in the paddock because they want to see the F1.”

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The F1 Prospects.Com Team Focus is on Star Mazda Team Juncos Racing: We talk about racing in Argentina, the value of Star Mazda and the economics of motorsport

Feature, Star Mazda, Team Profile 1 Response »

Jul 192010

In the latest F1 Prospects.com team feature we go to the United States to talk to an ex-pat Argentinean who is building up a very successful Star Mazda team and development program. He is Ricardo Juncos and he owns and runs Juncos Racing, the home of current championship leader Conor Daly.

Ricardo was gracious with his time in talking to F1 Prospects about the economics of racing, developing junior drivers and the strength of the Star Mazda program. A big thank you to Juncos PR guru Mandy Skinner for making this happen!

Ricardo Juncos

F1 Prospects: Juncos Racing started out based in Argentina. What kinds of racing were you involved in there? Are you at all still involved in the Argentinean or South American Racing scenes today?

Ricardo Juncos: I started racing go-karts in Argentina when I was very young. When I was about 17 or 18 years old, I was a test driver for Formula Renaults. Then I raced Formula Renault 1400, then FR 1600, then FR 2000, then 2 years in prototypes. After that, I came to the United States. As far as racing goes, I do pretty much nothing in Argentina anymore, but I do keep in touch with the media and racing teams there so that everybody knows what’s happening here. We were really close to finding drivers from Argentina for Star Mazda this year, but the exchange rate is $1 to 4 pesos, so it ends up being about a million and a half pesos or more to run in Star Mazda for the season. There are many good drivers in Argentina though, so we will always keep trying. We have a really good relationship with the country.

F1P: What prompted the team to move to the United States?

Ricardo: The economy was bad in Argentina around 2001 and 2002. Racing teams were closing all over the place, so it was time to move. I was choosing between moving to the U.S. or Australia because I have family in Australia, but I also had a friend in Miami, so I decided to come here. As soon as I touched this country I knew it was a good place to be, and I love it. The U.S.A. is one of best countries in the world.

F1P: You are involved in a wide spread of racing from karts to Star Mazda. Tell us a bit about what you are involved in and why?

Ricardo: As soon as I came to the U.S. I came into contact with Christian Fittipaldi and his manager who was also Cristiano da Matta’s manager at the time. We talked, and I started working on Fittipaldi’s karting team; that’s how I got involved in go karts here. After a few months working with Nelson Phillipe and winning races, I became the Team Manager for Christian from September 2002 to July 2003. I learned a lot working with the team, and in my opinion, we were one of the best teams in the world. In September of 2003, I opened the Juncos Racing karting team. In go karts we did pretty much everything here—local, regional, and national championships, Stars of Karting, and more. That’s how we won 19 championships in 5 years overall. By that point, the go kart team was growing a lot. Our driver at the time, Sean Burstyn, was 16 years old and racing ICA with Gustavo Yacaman, Sebastien Saavedra, Joel Miller, and other drivers you see competing in higher levels of racing now. We had won a championship in Florida and were fourth at the national level in Oklahoma that year, so Sean was ready to start racing cars. He became my first open wheel driver. We started doing schools in the Formula Renault 1600, did some races locally, and won 8 of them. Sean got in his first Formula Mazda in 2007 and won 9 races locally in the Florida championship. After a year of experience, Sean was ready for the Star Mazda Championship in 2009. We also found two more drivers to add to the team for our debut season.

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F1 Prospects chats with F3 driver Brittany Vorster about racing in South Africa and Brazil, the value of an education and the motivation to race

Driver Profile, F3, Feature 1 Response »

Jul 052010

Brittany Vorster

This year’s Indy 500 featured a record 4 women drivers in the memorial day classic and based on who are currently racing in feeder series around the world this number should only increase in time. Building on the pioneering efforts of Janet Guthrie, Shirley Muldowney and Maria Teresa Filippis, women are making strong inroads into what has admittedly been a male bastion and are not only knocking on the door but kicking it down and driving right through.

Brittany Vorster is a South African race car driver currently competing in South America in the South American Formula 3 Championship. She took some time out of her insanely busy schedule to talk to F1 Prospects about what inspired her to get into racing, racing in South Africa and South America, the value of an education and what motivates her to race.

F1Prospects: You are originally from South Africa. Tell us a bit about your background and how you became interested in motorsport?

Brittany Vorster: I was born in South Africa and have spent most of my life there, I have had the opportunity to travel and work in many different countries. I come from a family of motorsport fans and from the young age of 3 I started watching racing, in particular F1 with my family, however I only picked up the true hunger for motorsport when I was 10, this was when I started to understand what it was all about. I spoke with my family and they started to remember all the little things I would do when I was a young kid that was racing related. All I wanted was a ‘point car’ and they never knew what that was. Now we do… A RACE CAR. My grandparents took me to a SA race event it was after this I was completely hooked….. I was interested in the idea in becoming a sports manager for race car drivers however I know I have a talent in driving and the desire to be in the seat is greater than anything.. I started BEGGING my parents for a kart when I was 12.

F1P: You raced in Formula GTI in South Africa. Tell us a bit about that and the South African racing scene.

Brittany: I originally chose the F GTI series because at the time it was the best open wheel series available in South Africa, also coming from karts it was the next best step to main circuit and single seaters.
Unfortunately South Africa does not allow a driver to pursue motorsport as a career because the sport is pretty limited, I gained valuable experience, I raced with the best, South Africa has some very good drivers who have proved themselves on an international level, however I knew I needed to spread my wings internationally.

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The F1 Prospects Team Focus is on Status GP – We talk about Formula 1 experience, the new GP3 Series and professionalism

Feature, GP3, Team Profile No Responses »

Jun 292010

Professionalism. In racing that word is the difference between a team winning a race or a championship and a team losing. With money, prestige and let’s face it potentially lives at risk, if a team is not professional to its core it will not be successful.

GP3 team Status Grand Prix is s team that exemplifies professionalism and Status GP Commercial Director Tim Scott took some time out of his busy schedule to chat to F1 Prospects.com about GP3, managerial experience and the road to Formula 1, all before a chaotic but successful Round 3 in Valencia.

F1 Prospects: Status GP is a fairly recent team. Tell us a bit about its history and why it was created.

Tim Scott (Status Grand Prix Commercial Director): The team was founded in 2005 by Mark Gallagher, who has a long commercial background in F1, and Irish property developer (and ex-racer) Mark Kershaw for the purpose of owning and running the A1 Team Ireland franchise in the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. Mark Gallagher had just completed overseeing the commercial transformation of Jaguar F1 into Red Bull Racing, and saw A1GP as an exciting new challenge to give Ireland a flagship motorsports programme on a global scale. The team developed into a winning force by the third season of A1GP, by which time it was also successfully running the engineering side of the A1 Team Canada franchise. Then, in the summer of 2008, a group comprising Teddy Yip Jr, John Hynes and David Kennedy took over the Kershaw shareholding on the eve of A1GP’s introduction of the new Ferrari-powered car. In the 2008-09 season Status GP came of age, with the Irish team winning five races en route to the A1GP title with Adam Carroll. That preceeded a successful application for one of the 10 team entries for the new GP3 Series, which has allowed the team to enter a new phase of its development.

Ivan Lukashevich talks to David Kennedy. World Copyright: Drew Gibson/GP3 Media Service.

F1P: There is a fair amount of Formula 1 expertise on the management side of things, with former F1 driver David Kennedy as Managing Director and most significantly former Jordan and Stewart/Jaguar F1 designer Gary Anderson as technical consultant. And of course Teddy Yip Jr. Is the son of legendary Theodore F1 owner Teddy Yip. How has the management side of things gelled especially considering you are all now a few rungs below F1?

Tim: The combined strengths of the individuals within Status GP’s management you mention is one of the key ingredients in the company’s emergence and success – there’s decades of motorsport experience in many different disciplines combining to create a single, cohesive unit with unified business goals and a shared passion for success. It’s a structure that stands the team apart from many of its competitors and lays the foundations for future growth, and all the components you mention are very representative of this. The F1 experience runs deep, too – team manager Simon Cayzer was an engineer with Gary Anderson at Jordan Grand Prix, race engineers Matt Greasley and Rob Arnott have both come through F1, while chief mechanic Paul Bellringer formerly held the same role in the BAR test team. We have a saying that it’s not the name above the door but the people who are the other side of it that counts, and that’s very much Status GP’s philosophy – we have a hand-picked group of people who have been schooled in the F1 methodology for precision, excellence and success. But in many cases these people have also branched out and bring experience from other areas of the sport too, which is important. It’s a potent formula.

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F1 Prospects chats with American GP3 Racer Alexander Rossi about life in Europe, the value of Formula 1 and how a kid from California plans to make it to F1

Driver Profile, Feature, GP3 1 Response »

Jun 242010

Alexander Rossi - World Copyright: Drew Gibson/GP3 Media Service.

The competition to make it to Formula 1 is intense in the junior development formulae with its requirements of speed, concentration, finance, sacrifice and let’s face it a sprinkling of luck. These factors are the difference between a seat in the right cockpit and no seat at all. American Alexander Rossi made the F1 Prospects Watchlist this year because, not only does he demonstrate the requisite speed, concentration, sacrifice and financial support but because he is also extremely consistent and adaptable in a race car. Whatever Alexander climbs into, he manages to make it go fast and this trait will ensure that he progresses up the motorsport ladder to his eventual goal of Formula 1.

Currently racing in the inaugural year of the GP3 series, the feeder to GP2, Alexander has used this vaunted consistency to great effect. After 3 races he finds himself second in the championship ahead of the Valencia round supporting the European Grand Prix this weekend and he is always in a battle for a podium spot so this weekend should not be any different. He recently spoke to F1 Prospects about life racing in Europe, the value of Formula 1 and what it takes to succeed in this cut throat business.

F1 Prospects: You started off in karts, a well known start for many future world champions. What is the karting scene like in America? Is it competitive with Europe? How does karting help a young driver just starting out?

Alexander Rossi: I never competed in European karting so I cannot compare it directly with American karting, but I know quite a few drivers who went overseas and were extremely competitive, so I would wager to say that there are some karting series’ in America (Stars and Skusa) that are just as competitive as the European championships – if not more. Karting teaches you how to race and how to push the limits with engineering and your machine. These are the integral foundation and development of a young driver’s career, without it is a steep climb.

F1P: You were involved with the Red Bull Amercian Driver Search Program in 2004 and 2005. How was that experience and how did it help you advance your career?

Alexander: The experience was fantastic as it proved that I could be on par with the best karters in the nation who were hand-selected by Red Bull scouts. I was still very young when I competed in the driver search, but this program really opened my mind to the fact that being successful in motorsport is not just about being able to go fast around a track – one has to have the complete package to reach the highest levels. Speed is not enough anymore and whether that is a positive or not, I do not know, but this is the reality.

F1P: The Skip Barber program seems to be one of the best ways for North American drivers to transition from karts to cars. Why is that?

Alexander: It is the best way – no question about it. You get an exceptional amount of seat time for the money, along with individualized driver coaching after every session. In addition, a driver learns multiple track, and this very good for development and experience. I learned how to drive a race car in Skip Barber and I will forever owe them my gratitude.

F1P: You jumped into the now defunct Formula BMW Americas program in 2007 and finished 3rd overall in your rookie year and then topped that by winning the championship in 2008 and the World finals the same year in Mexico City. Obviously the series was very good to you. How did you enjoy racing in the series?

Alexander: Formula BMW is an incredible championship and I have very fond memories of my two years in the series. I actually have the opportunity – three years later – to race against my two biggest competitors in 2007, Daniel Morad and Esteban (my teammate). FBMW launched all three of our careers and I feel very fortunate to be racing these two again. Now we are able to showcase ourselves on a very international stage.

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The F1 Prospects Team Focus is on Comtec Racing – We talk World Series by Renault, the costs of racing and working on the farm!

Feature, Formula Renault, Team Profile, World Series By Renault No Responses »

Jun 222010

To operate a racing team in today’s economically trying times is always a challenge, especially when you are competing primarily in a junior development series like GP2 or Formula Renault. The thing that has always impressed me is that these teams are run just as professionally and competitively as the teams in Formula 1 and while they may not be as famous as a Ferrari or a Williams, you never know when one of these teams will hit the Grand Prix circuit so it is important as an F1 fan to keep an eye, not just on the young gun drivers coming up the ranks but on the teams as well.

In this edition of the F1 Prospects Team Focus we talk to John Barnett of UK-based Comtec Racing about the World Series by Renault, the costs of racing and the importance of driver feed back.

F1 Prospects: Tell us a bit about your history? When was Comtec Racing started and why?

John Barnett (Team Manager): Comtec was originally the works Van Diemen team. Our team principal Pierre Moncheur had a small stake in the team and when Van Diemen’s American owners had a restructure Pierre acquired the remaining shares making him sole owner. The new Comtec Team moved into new premises in 2002 at Carlton Rode near Attleborough where we are still today.

Pierre had always been a big motor racing fan and approached the legendary Ralph Firman of Van Diemen in 2000 to buy a stake in the team and with his ambitious outlook wanted to progress into the higher echelons of the sport.

F1P: Who is involved in the team from a management and technical perspective?

John:

Pierre is team owner.

John Barnett: Team Manager and financial controller.

Paul Heath: Technical Director and Chief Engineer

Ashley Edwards: Assistant Engineer

Phil Blow: Workshop Manager.

F1P: You started out in Formula Ford but have spent most of your time in spec series like Formula Renault and World Series by Renault. Do you think that these spec series are a better training ground for drivers and team personnel? Why have you concentrated on Formula Renault?

Racing in Monaco - Photo courtesy Comtec Racing

John: The reason Comtec moved away from Formula Ford is that Renault is a much better supported series both here and in Europe. Renault, has over the years, funded their championships better than anyone else and the organizational structure is second to none.

Because of this it gives teams the support and a stable environment to plan for the future. This gives us the confidence to keep our staff over the winter months and creates a more loyal and professional workforce.

The structure that Renault have in Motor Sport also gives drivers a ladder from the lower formulas all the way to F1 so they can plan there futures. They run support programs for the drivers and introduce them to the right people so they get recognized at an early stage of their careers.

World Series by Renault has always attracted large Formula 1 proportion crowds which not only attracts sponsors but drivers alike. The circuits used are usually F1 venues including the jewel in the crown Monaco Grand Prix, and it is the only single seater formula that can give drivers the track time at the circuit to prepare them for GP2 and ultimately F1. We believe it is the only series outside Formula 1 that can provide the same atmosphere which is good for drivers and teams alike.

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F1 Prospects talks to Formula Renault UK driver Tom Blomqvist about racing in Sweden, having a famous dad and being the youngest young gun in Formula Renault 2.0 UK

Driver Profile, Feature, Formula Renault No Responses »

Jun 172010

Tom Blomqvist - Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Formula 1 has had some great father son pairings in the history of the World Championship. Graham and Damon Hill and Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve are just two father-son combinations that went on to achieve great things and there is now another family name looking to make an impact in Formula 1 in the future. That name is Blomqvist.

16 year old Formula Renault UK 2.0 driver Tom Blomqvist is the son of the legendary Swedish World Rally Champion Stig and he is turning heads as he challenges racers older than him in the ultra-competitive British single-seater racing scene. Tom recently took some time out of his hectic schedule to talk to F1 Prospects about having a famous racing dad, racing in Sweden and his passion for motorsport.

F1 Prospects: How did you start in racing and at what age?

Tom Blomqvist: Well I remember dad buying me a quad bike at the age of three, so that’s where it all started. We had a large piece of land for me to run free and develop my skills. Ever since then I have been in love with motorsport and anything to do with it. My first taste of competitive racing didn’t come until I moved from England to New Zealand. We visited a local kart track one day and some of the fathers recognized my dad, we got chatting and they offered my brother and I a quick go in a kart and that was that. We sold our quad bikes and bought a kart to share between the two of us. From that day onwards I’ve known what I want to achieve in motorsport.

F1P: Your karting career was quite limited compared to many of your competitors who raced in Europe. Do you think that this puts you at a disadvantage? What is it that you learnt in karting that prepared you for a career in cars?

Tom: I spent very little time in a kart compared to someone competing in Europe. Because I was in New Zealand I was able to learn the key skills to carry into my car racing career and compete at the front at a fraction of the price. Karting taught me a lot about racecraft, how to attack how to defend and also when to pick your moments. You also learn to give feedback which is extremely important when you reach single seater racing. I have been in a position this year when a new car has been introduced to the championship and it has been very important to help develop the car with my engineer who relies heavily on my feedback.

F1P: You made the jump from karts to Formula Renault in Sweden last year. How has the transition gone? Why race in Sweden?

Tom: Correct. I made the step up from karting to Formula Renault last year and to be honest I was surprised how quickly I managed to adapt to the new challenge and environment. From a very young age I have been driving road cars around my father’s land and he also believed it was very important for me to spend some time on the frozen lakes sliding around. I think this has helped me with the step up to cars as I have developed a good understanding of car characteristics. Why Sweden? Well, at the age of 15 I was too young to compete in the major Formula Renault championships so the most logical option was to race in Sweden. I think it has worked out well, I have learnt a lot from doing that.

Continue reading »

Older Entries

Fórmula 3 Sudamericana Petrobras. It’s the Champagne of Motorsports (at least that far south)

The Inside Line by Bec Jaeger: Arousal, Anxiety and Stress

The new, Formula 1 inspired 2011 GP2 car

F1 Prospects chats with driver Stefano Coletti who talks about his hectic schedule of racing in WSR and GP3, technology ruining the sport and his tip for the F1 title!

The F1 Prospects.Com Team Focus is on Star Mazda Team Juncos Racing: We talk about racing in Argentina, the value of Star Mazda and the economics of motorsport

F1 Prospects chats with F3 driver Brittany Vorster about racing in South Africa and Brazil, the value of an education and the motivation to race

The F1 Prospects Team Focus is on Status GP – We talk about Formula 1 experience, the new GP3 Series and professionalism

F1 Prospects chats with American GP3 Racer Alexander Rossi about life in Europe, the value of Formula 1 and how a kid from California plans to make it to F1

The F1 Prospects Team Focus is on Comtec Racing – We talk World Series by Renault, the costs of racing and working on the farm!

F1 Prospects talks to Formula Renault UK driver Tom Blomqvist about racing in Sweden, having a famous dad and being the youngest young gun in Formula Renault 2.0 UK

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