Current FIA Formula Two Championship leader Andy Soucek is targeting a seat with a Formula One team in 2010 after taking his third commanding victory of the season at Donington Park last weekend. The Spaniard believes Formula Twos level playing field has finally given him the chance to demonstrate the true extent of his talent.
Soucek has fully delivered in his debut F2 season, impressing onlookers with his speed, consistency and determination. He currently lies 22 points ahead of nearest rival Robert Wickens in the championship standings, and has recorded three wins and two second place finishes in the five events so far this year. He also produced a brilliant display of attacking driving in race two at Donington Park, including a stunning overtaking manoeuvre on Sebastian Hohenthal at the Craner Curves. The 24-year-old is one of the most experienced and successful drivers in this seasons line up having previously won the Spanish F3 championship, scored podium finishes in GP2 and been a race winner in Formula Renault 3.5. He has also sampled F1 machinery, testing for the Panasonic Toyota team in 2006.
Andy Soucek said: I feel I am ready for the chance in Formula One. I am hoping to get my second test in an F1 car, following my run with Toyota in 2006. I believe I have the ability, experience and maturity to adapt quickly to a Formula One car again. I am in a good position having already driven an F1 car and most of the single-seater formulae below – it is about finding the limits of the car quickly and hopefully I will get the chance to prove I can do that.
Formula Two is a series that features identical equipment for all 24 of its drivers and offers the prize of a full test with the Williams F1 team to its champion, whilst the top three drivers will be eligible to qualify for an FIA Superlicence.
Soucek added: Formula Two has finally given me the opportunity to prove what I can do in equal equipment. Most of the time in other series it is the teams that really make the difference. You can see in F2 that it is extremely close during qualifying, the top six have been separated by just two tenths of a second and the top 18 drivers covered by less than a second. It is incredible, and we all can honestly say that we, as drivers, have the same opportunities as each other. If I can win the championship this season, I will be really excited about the fantastic opportunity to test with Williams. There are also several new teams entering Formula One next season so it is a good time for me to be showing what I can do, as there will hopefully be more opportunities in 2010.
Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of Formula Two organiser MotorSport Vision, believes Soucek has proved himself worthy of a drive in F1: Amongst an extraordinarily competitive field Andy has really stood out with a superb combination of pace, racecraft and consistency. Andy is also outstandingly professional as well as being a great guy and I have no doubt will be highly impressive when he makes the F1 debut he deserves."
Andy Soucek was a guest of the Williams F1 team at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain, this weekend.
The next two rounds of the FIA Formula Two Championship will take place in Oschersleben, Germany, on 4/5/6 September, partnering the FIA World Touring Car Championship.