The Formula 3 Euro Series is where I have begun SHAABAN2F1, my intensive training and development program towards F1. I will be spending two seasons in the series (2007 and 2008), as many F1 drivers and hopefuls have done. F3 is an established step on the F1 Ladder, having graduated all but one of the repeat F1 World Champions of the past twenty years (Michael Schumacher, the late Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Alain Prost. The exception is Fernando Alonso).
The F3 Euro Series is the most competitive F3 series in the world, fielding the world's best F3 drivers of whom several are in the driver-development programmes of the Williams, Toyota and Red Bull F1 teams and Mercedes-Benz. The Euro Series is one of the final proving grounds for future F1 drivers, with current F1 racing drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel, Kazuki Nakajima, Timo Glock and Adrian Sutil, and F1 test drivers Romain Grosjean, Sebastien Buemi, Nico Hulkenberg and Kamui Kobayashi, all being graduates of the F3 Euro Series since its 2003 inception.
The F3 Euro Series teams run the most advanced F3 cars, engines, components and technologies allowed by the FIA F3 regulations. Whereas in F1 a new car is designed and built every year, the FIA F3 regulations stipulate that a new F3 chassis and engine design is produced every 3 years to limit costs. For 2008, a new 3-year cycle begins, meaning there will be rapid development this season of the new-for-2008 F3 car, and this develoment will be led by the Euro Series teams.
The 2008 F3 Euro Series championship will consist of 10 double-race rounds, with four of the rounds taking place on F1 circuits and one round on the Bugatti-configuration of Le Mans. Nine rounds will be run in support of DTM, the world's fastest touring cars (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters), and one round will support the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship) on the historic street-circuit of Pau. Click on the F3 Euro Series logo below for more information on the 2008 calendar and circuits.
I am also looking very much forward to competing in the historic Masters of Zandvoort and Macau Grand Prix international F3 races in 2008! These two races are pivotal for a formula driver's development, particularly Macau's infamous street circuit.
HBR MOTORSPORT
HBR Motorsport from Brixlegg, Austria is my F3 Euro Series team. HBR Motorsport won two races and scored three podiums in the 2006 F3 Euro Series with Richard Antinucci, and in 2007 provided me with a great environment in which to learn the championship's circuits and to begin a comprehensive F3-focused development of my natural talent.
Team Manager: Siegfried Mueller, 1980 European Touring Car Champion
Technical Director: Peter Berry
Tire Chief: John Pfister
My Race Engineer: Christian Kirsch
My No.1 Mechanic: Robert Lorenz
My No.2 Mechanic: Daniel Winkler
Team-Mate: Daniel Campos-Hull, 2007 Formula BMW ADAC Vice-Champion (1st season in F3)
HBR MOTORSPORT F3 CAR
Chassis: Dallara F308
Engine: Mercedes-Benz HWA (2000cc I-4 with Ø 26mm air-restrictor as per FIA F3 regulations: ~230 Bhp)
Gearbox: Drexler, 6-speed +Reverse, Sequential Manual with paddle-operated ignition-cut
Dampers: TBD
Brakes: Brembo F3 4-Piston Caliper System (vented & slotted floating discs) with Pagid RS5 pads
Tires: Kumho Ecsta, Fronts 180/55 R 13, Rears 240/57 R 13
Wheels: ATS magnesium, 13 in. dia.
EMS & Data: Bosch
Weight: 540kg minimum with Driver, fluids and 1kg of fuel
This 2008 season promises to be the most exciting year of my life. I learned a tremendous amount last season, and gained a lot of confidence in myself and in the F3 car. Now I just have to let my talent take over as I push the boundaries everywhere to prove my potential. What is also exciting me is the all-new F3 car this year which has taken one of the biggest steps Dallara has ever made with a new design, particularly aerodynamically. This will give me the crucial learning experience of developing parts and set-ups for a new formula car. Share with me my 2008 experiences in the News section of my website!
