British F3 2011 - Round 1 - Monza - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

strider · 8 Apr 2011, 18:25

Yes, the testing is done, the cars are loaded up and will be on their way to Italy any day soon for Round 1 of this year's Cooper Tires British F3 International Series at Monza.

It grieves me to say I won't be there because I think it will be the best meeting of the season unless the weather turns nasty, which has been known to happen there.

There's a preview here. It looks as though Christodoulou will be racing in this round at least. Let's hope it's for the full season. Interesting that Hywel Lloyd is now the most experienced driver in the field, but I fear he's not going to trouble the leaders.

My money's still on Felipe Nasr and/or Kevin Magnussen.

I don't have any details of live timing or even a source for results yet, but if I do I will post them.

runshaw · 8 Apr 2011, 22:01

It probably will be the best meeting judging by past events! I will be at Oulton for the next round, which will probably be the most monotonous meeting of the year (unless the wather turns nasty

) , so it grieves me too that i'm not at Monza next week! I agree that Nasr/Magnussen will be on it. Yet Monza is a circuit that isn't typically demanding for a driver, and certainly requires a precise, spot-on ultra low donforce set-up.

Carlin should have i sorted. I doubt T-Sport will replicate their double with Sergio Perez from 08 after starting 14th for both races! I wouldn't count out several others, including Jack Harvey, he won here last year in a decent FBMW field. With regards to Lloyd, he probably won't be challenging the front, but IIRC, Monza is the only track where he starred in the National class in his 4th or 5th race, winning it and coming in the top 10 overall. Who knows. Scott Pye is one to watch for the furture for sure. And if Carlos Huertas isn't on it, then he should be worried if he isn't already, two seasons, no wins, thats over 50 races! Certainly glad Christo is racing.

Is it really only Hylkema and Sakurai in the Rookie class? Thats a bit of a sorry sight...for the second year running. Seems a long time ago since the class of 2007, with the 'B' champion currently doing decent things in a Sauber!

Juntos · 9 Apr 2011, 09:26

Although the competition will be big, the horses will still be small. But Malaysia and Petronas have big hopes for Jazeman Jaafar.

**bella** · 9 Apr 2011, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by runshaw

Yet Monza is a circuit that isn't typically demanding for a driver, and certainly requires a precise, spot-on ultra low donforce set-up.!

i dunno, i think it's the most demanding for a driver in f3 - they actually have to *race* and be on it for the whole lap to keep ahead of everyone else!

strider · 9 Apr 2011, 11:03

I agree with you there, bella. Any relaxation and one or more cars will past you in a trice.

Random information I picked up yesterday. NBE are no longer looking after the VW engines, they've gone back to Spiess. Shouldn't make much difference, but you never know.

**MikeHoyer** · 9 Apr 2011, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by strider

in a trice.

A quick scan and I read that as "in a tree". I guess that could happen too...

strider · 11 Apr 2011, 18:20

Here is a nice little article about Bart Hylkema, the young Dutch driver who is racing for T-Sport in the Rookie Class and looked like having a walkover until the the late arrival on the scene of Kotaro Sakurai, who is the youngest driver out there at just 16 years old.

Hylkema looks to be the favourite, because he has more experience and T-Sport have made something of a speciality of winning this class. NBE will also be putting all their effort into the Mugen-Honda now that the contract to run the VW engines has been taken away.

**bella** · 11 Apr 2011, 19:01

the article is a press release by marc orme, and it's also on the tenths news section

what has sakurai done before? apart from play with lego and do some colouring in!

kipper · 11 Apr 2011, 19:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by bella

what has sakurai done before? apart from play with lego and do some colouring in!

He did compete in the New Zealand Toyota Racing Series earlier this year and in Formula BMW Pacific in 2010.

strider · 12 Apr 2011, 16:08

I've tracked down a timing link, which is supposed to be active from Friday with a link from the main page to F3. The main event is for the Blancpain Endurance Series, but the link doesn't look massively promising just yet. Still, it's a starting point.

http://www.sportresult.com/car-races/

shatners bassoon · 12 Apr 2011, 19:51

I thought I felt old seeing Josh Hill racing, but Kevin Magnussen graduating to the scene of his father's greatest glories makes me feel ancient! Heck, Dario Franchitti's still winning, let alone competing...

Hope he's picked up the "old man's" abilities but with a bit more application

kipper · 12 Apr 2011, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by shatners bassoon

I thought I felt old seeing Josh Hill racing, but Kevin Magnussen graduating to the scene of his father's greatest glories makes me feel ancient!

I know the feeling, but at least in the case of Kevin Magnussen, one can put it down to his father having kids relatively early in life.

strider · 12 Apr 2011, 22:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by shatners bassoon

I thought I felt old seeing Josh Hill racing, but Kevin Magnussen graduating to the scene of his father's greatest glories makes me feel ancient! Heck, Dario Franchitti's still winning, let alone competing...

Jan is also still competing very successfully in Corvettes (with Oliver Gavin) and the Danish Touring Car Championship. He's lost none of his speed.

Since they had year together in British F3 when Jan was so dominant, Dario has become one of those guys who hits the bullseye with every single throw. Not that I'm envious or anything.