Who's favourite for Brit F3 then?

[chunterer]

It's not long before start of season so on previous and current testing form, who's looking on it for this year?

If the Lola's any good my money's on Dirani.

Why? because he's quick, a previous race winner and will have learnt an awful lot from such a competitive season and i reckon he's better than Di Grassi and might be quicker than Nelsinho an all!

Next please.....

[Mathias]

I don't have access to any times, but Dirani did look quick at Silverstone on Monday, but Mike Conway looked quicker.

I am reliably informed that Conway, Walker, Kimball, Bakkerud, Lewis and Clarke have been consistently the pace-setters in testing.

No disrespect to James (who had really picked up the pace in that dog of a Renault-powered Hitech at the end of last season), but if he can be noticeably quick in one, then the Fortec is probably going to be the car to beat, and given Conway's record, well, who can tell?

It's a bummer that MST haven't been publishing timings, but then, based on last year's pre-season testing Fairuz Fauzy was the man to watch, and I still haven't publicly eaten my hat over that one.

However, instinctively, and with no justification whatsoever, I'm going to put my imaginary money on Marko Asmer.

[BillyT]

Mike Conway - Great talent and and very quick.

[bella]

mike conway, i'm disappointed to say. i really really want someone else to win (i'll work out who after the first race of the year), but it's going to be him.

gutted.

[Dr Venom]

Mike Conway, but lets hope that the rest of the grid take the fight to MC and make him wok for it.

[bella]

thats exactly my opinion. a driver SHOULDN'T be able to win in his first year unless he's an absolute star, and from what i've seen, conway isn't. you can give all the noise about attitude and such, but that only goes so far.

i'd like to see dirani sort his head out a bit and be able to drive like he did at croft every race.

[strider]

If Dirani did that, the rest wouldn't see him for dust. It'll be interesting to see how P1 and Lola gel.

There's a view that Conway will crack if put under pressure. As Mathias suggests, Marko Asmer could be a good bet.

[flexible-flyer]

dirani for sure. all comes down to how good the lola is but carroll turned heads with a brand new lola dome and watts turned ten times more heads a year later ina lola dome. sure this isnt a lola dome but i think its the same kinda story. if turns out to be an absolute pig truck then conway will have it. british f3 had alot of talanet last year and this year it has seemed to have subsided a bit. i cant see this year being as competative as last year.

[Craner Curves]

I'll have a punt on Daniele Clar....sorry Dirani.

[bella]

i think it'll be as competitive but at an entirely different level. and i don't think we should assume any level of competitiveness from dirani, he's too erratic to say for sure whether he'll be a contender or not.

[climb]

IMo there's not a clear favourite.
Many big names left, and I think it's gonna be a very interesting season.

[Gaz]

I don't see why everyone seems to think the quality of drivers isn't as good this year as last -

I mean you had Piquet and you had Carroll before the year started who you knew where exceptional drivers capable of going onto higher things. James Rossiter came as a surprise, he only came into the Piquet-Carroll category as he progressed through the year.

The likes of Dirani who did impress on occasion are back again and drivers stepping up such as Bridgman and Conway have both won very competitive championship's at lower levels and are both very rapid racers.

I agree there might not be an out and out concrete favourite as there was last year but with Dirani, Conway, Asmer and co around we've got a bloody good grid of drivers who could go on to much better things.

As for my prediction, its got to be Mike Conway - sorry to be boring! The guy has come of age the last season or so and I feel some people don't like to own up to the fact he's a talent just because he's not a "looker"who walks around trying to pull any female in the paddock unlike some other drivers!

[Morcilman]

Gareth Rees, That will surelly return! or Conway

[Mathias]

I'm with Gaz. Let's not forget that Gaz was really despondent about the quality of entrants last year, and it turned out to be an all right season - not a classic, but definitely worth watching. Just because Piquet's gone doesn't mean it's going to be disappointing (and probably quite the opposite).

Looking over my list of confirmed champ class drivers, there's a lot of good names in there.

[MïkeConway]

Originally Posted by Gaz

...because he's not a "looker"...

You calling me ugly?

[Gaz]

Originally Posted by MïkeConway

You calling me ugly?

lol, just saying you havn't got the beach boy look that these paddock groupies can't get enough of! Get yourself on those sunbeds kid!

[GSportUK]

Originally Posted by Gaz

lol, just saying you havn't got the beach boy look that these paddock groupies can't keep away from! Get yourself on those sunbeds kid!

Classic!

[Freddie]

Mikey, when you're as good looking as me, you can start complaining......looks like someone set your face on fire and put it out with a shovel.

My vote for BF3 is for Mike Conway.....bags of talent.........BUTT UGLY!

[Russfeld]

Originally Posted by MïkeConway

You calling me ugly?

Thats one of the nicer comments you'll get from some of us

[superMINI]

Awwww. I think he's cute. In a sort of Mickey from Eastenders kinda way.

I'd like to see Dirani do it.

[chunterer]

Guys, seems that we're either rooting for Mike Conway, or, Danilo Dirani but hardly anyone else?!!

I admit, i think Asmer's pretty useful too, i'd forgottten about him.

It might be just as well that Danilo's in the unproven Lola, as i think that in a Dallara he's probably clear off into the distance

[Freddie]

Mike has been quickest according to most people's watches in pre-season testing and with his season in Renault last year with numerous poles and wins, and zero damage/accidents....you'd be mad to bet against him.

[Mathias]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Guys, seems that we're either rooting for Mike Conway, or, Danilo Dirani but hardly anyone else?!!

I thought the question was who's favourite to win, not who's our favourite!

Thing is, there are an awful lot of unknowns this year - I mean will RRR perform in their first season? How will Hitech do with Mugen engines and half the team doing GP2? Will the Lola perform? How will Carlin do with 2 rookies? Etc etc.

Plus there are still some seats to fill!

So I think no-one wants to stick their neck out here yet.

[strider]

Originally Posted by Mathias

So I think no-one wants to stick their neck out here yet.

Hmm. Lots of pro-Conway necks stuck out already! There is supposed to timing at the Media Day test on Wednesday morning so that might give some clues.

[hmmmm]

all the timing is worthless cause i can 100% guarentee that peolpe are running under weight or alike. I think after seeing him in testing and i no the no one will agree but bridgeman will be very very quick. Plus if i was a betting man i think the championship winner will be out of hi tech's garage. Danilo is missing out on far to much testing weather that is him Roly or the cars fault i don't no. Conway will be quick but i don't think he can win.