Archive für 23.2.2010
Benjamin Bailly joins Formula Two for 2010
23.2.2010 von Wolfgang.
Belgian graduates after claiming Formul’Academy Euro Series title
Reigning Formul’Academy Euro Series Champion Benjamin Bailly has become the latest driver to enter the FIA Formula Two Championship for 2010.
Since making his karting debut in 2004, 19-year-old Bailly has cut a rapid ascent through the motorsport ranks. He finished third in the French Elite Championship in 2006, and claimed fifth overall in the premier Formula A World Karting Championship the following year.
Bailly enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2009, where a superb campaign saw him claim the overall Formul’Academy Euro Series championship with six wins, five podiums and three pole positions from the 14 races. He took victory in the second race in his debut weekend at Valencia and his run to the title also included a win in Oschersleben and a double victory at Monza – all circuits that F2 will visit in 2010.
The Belgian driver’s progression to F2 has been assisted by the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium National Team, which helps promote and develop young Belgian racing talent. The RACB National Team also includes Jerome D’Ambrosio, 2010 test driver for the Renault F1 team, as well as Formula Renault 3.5 Champion Bertrand Baguette and German F3 Champion Laurens Vanthoor.
Benjamin Bailly said: “Formula Two is a great championship and I’m delighted to be joining it for 2010. I like the concept of the series, and the fact that all the cars are equal means the driver makes all the difference – in other categories, if you’re not with a good team you can’t get the results. Andy Soucek also proved what a good learning step F2 is when he set the fastest time in his Formula One test in Jerez. I’m sure it will be a really competitive season, especially with the upgrades made to the car, but I proved I could be fast when I tested in F2 at Portimão, and I’m certainly targeting podiums and even race wins this year – a good season would be my way of thanking the team RACB officials!”
Jonathan Palmer, Formula Two Series Director, said: "I’m delighted Benjamin is joining us in Formula Two as our first Belgian driver. I have seen the Formul’Academy Euro Series and it is clearly very competitive and based, like F2, on providing drivers will identical equipment. Benjamin’s successes in Formul’Academy were due to his superior driving ability, not budget and team superiority, and I’m sure this experience will serve him well in F2. Benjamin’s talent was obvious in the winter F2 tests when he was always towards the top of the time sheets whilst he also had a great approach to his racing, being intelligent, personable and hard working. He has some very professional advisors and the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium is to be commended on providing vital financial support to one of their country’s most promising drivers in his quest to reach F1”.
Interested drivers should contact the Championship Co-ordinator, James Gornall, at james.gornall@formulatwo.com or on 0044 1234 332439.
www.formulatwo.com
Classic Bergsprint ruft Piloten!
23.2.2010 von Wolfgang.
Mit Spannung wird die erste "automobile Bergbesteigung" einer der schnellsten und längsten Bergrennstrecken Deutschlands erwartet
Nürnberg - Gipfelstürmer und Kurven-Spezialisten aufgepasst: Ab sofort kann man sich und seinen Boliden für den 1. Classic Bergsprint am 13. Juni 2010 in Pappenheim anmelden. Und wer jetzt Gas gibt, erhält bis zum 28. Februar den Frühbucher-Rabatt mit bis zu 20% Ersparnis.
Gang rein – und ordentlich Gas geben
Moviano – historische Fahrwelten GmbH hat zum 5-jährigen Jubiläum des Classic Sprints wieder ein neues spektakuläres Motorsport-Highlight ins Leben gerufen: ein eigenes Bergrennen für historische Fahrzeuge – der "Classic Bergsprint". Die Strecke vor den Toren Pappenheims führt – schnell und anspruchsvoll – über eine Streckenlänge von 3,5 km durch dichte Bewaldung und die malerische Naturlandschaft im Fränkischen Altmühltal. Erwartet werden Starter aus ganz Europa, da die Tradition der Bergrennen auf eine treue und große Fangemeinde zählen kann.
Eine Herausforderung für Ausgewählte
Geschäftsführer Uwe Wießmath: "Das Bergrennen auf Gleichmäßigkeit findet auf gesperrter Strecke in insgesamt 4 Läufen statt: Die Fahrtroute geht über 3,5 Km, 11 Kurven, 3 Schikanen und 130 Höhenmeter." Ein Motorsportereignis, das viele Fans erwartet und mit einem einmaligen Flair begeistert. "Zugelassene Fahrzeuge sind Oldtimer, Youngtimer, Rennsport- und Formelwagen, Monoposti, Threewheeler, Motorräder und –gespanne sowie Kneeler bis Baujahr 1983. Die Startplätze wurden auf 100 Wettbewerbsfahrzeuge limitiert", erzählt Uwe Wießmath.
Der Spirit stimmt – hier trifft man Freunde
Dennoch ist der Classic Bergsprint nicht nur Bergrennen: Vielmehr versammelt sich die Elite der historischen Bergfahrer in Pappenheim, um sich miteinander zu messen und sich zum freundschaftlichen Austausch zu treffen. Denn der schon legendäre Spirit des Classic Sprint "Von Freunden - für Freunde" gilt auch beim Classic Bergsprint. Das unterstreicht zum Beispiel die vergünstigte Startgebühr für Teilnehmer mit einer Anreise von mehr als 100 km. So soll die Metropolregion Nürnberg und das schöne Franken auch überregionalen und internationalen Teilnehmern nahe gebracht werden. Die Fahrer sind ausserdem angehalten, mit originaler Sicherheitsausrüstung zu starten. Das unterstreicht die historische Anmutung der Veranstaltung. Und was "Von Freunde – für Freunde" betrifft: Das Rennen kostet für Zuschauer natürlich keinen Eintritt.
www.moviano.de
Exclusive Q&A with Andy Soucek
23.2.2010 von Wolfgang.
Reigning F2 champion talks about his graduation to Formula One
The official Formula Two website spoke to 2009 FIA Formula Two Champion Andy Soucek today (23 February) following confirmation that the Spaniard has signed with the Virgin F1 team as their official reserve driver for the 2010 season. Andy is currently testing the Williams JPH1B F2 car in Barcelona and the 24-year-old took time out to talk about his F1 future and Formula Two…
Tell us how you feel having achieved a lifelong ambition to reach Formula One.
“It feels great. I couldn’t quite believe it even as I was signing the contract. To have joined a Formula One team and knowing that I could be competing in Grands Prix if I am required is a fantastic feeling. It will be a difficult job, but I know that I will learn a lot in preparation for racing in F1. One of the key aspects that excited me about this project is that I will be heavily involved with the team from the outset. I will get to use the simulator, I will be at every test and Grand Prix, and I will be in every meeting between the drivers and engineers, so I will be a real member of the team.”
How important a role did your championship winning season in F2 play in helping you reach F1?
“Winning the FIA Formula Two Championship and the prize of a test drive in Formula One really helped to raise my profile. I had some good results when I was in GP2, but it was only once I started winning in F2 that things really started to develop. Everyone knows that in F2 it is the driver that makes the difference and I feel that my performance last year showed people I was good enough for F1. Of course, the prize was a massive boost as I got to show my abilities in an F1 car in Jerez. This experience went very well, but it would not have been possible if I hadn’t succeeded in Formula Two.”
What would you say to any talented young drivers who are considering joining F2 and what do you feel are the main benefits of competing in the championship?
”I would recommend Formula Two to any young driver, and particularly those who do not have the big budgets required to compete in GP2. F2 is a great step towards Formula One and it is a great place to learn. People say that it is difficult when you do not work with a team but it means the driver in Formula Two is responsible for every single detail. Of course working with teams during your career is important, but in F2 you have to work extremely hard to achieve the most out of the experience and that is what I think makes Formula Two so special.”
You have been heavily involved in the testing and development of the newly upgraded Williams JPH1B. How has this been going and do you expect to continue in the role?
“Well I am actually testing the car in Barcelona again today, but this could be my last one before the new season. If I am asked to test the F2 car again in the future then I will always want to do it. I have enjoyed being part of the programme and as a driver it is always good to keep clocking up the miles! I did a lot of laps yesterday as we are here with Avon testing various new tyre compounds for 2010. Things have been going well over the winter and the improvement in the car has been very impressive. The team is doing a great job and we are still learning all the time.
“In general, I will keep a close eye on the F2 championship this season and will try to attend any races that I can. If there is not a clash with my schedule then it would be great to be at the final round in Valencia to see the new F2 champion crowned.”
Moving back to your future in Formula One – when do you expect to drive the Virgin Racing VR-01 car for the first time?
”I am not 100% sure yet but it will be very soon. I will be with the team in Barcelona later this week and I cannot wait to get my first experience in the car. Having previously tested with Toyota and more recently with Williams it will be fantastic to drive another Formula One car. I am excited to see and feel how the car behaves and then hopefully I will be able to assist the team in developing the car further. Coming into a team that is new on the grid is very exciting as you really feel that you can make a difference.”
www.formulatwo.com
