Motorsports Mondial
FIA-Formula 3 International Trophy to race at Spa
Track length: 7,004 kilometres
Lap record F3ES: 2:13,844 minutes / Lewis Hamilton 2005 (Track length: 6,976 km)
Distance: Race 1: 30 minutes (Trophy ranking) / Race 2: 20 minutes / Race 3: 40 minutes (Trophy ranking)
Winners 2005: Adrian Sutil / Lewis Hamilton
This weekend, the international motor-racing calendar features the fourth and fifth rounds of the ’FIA Formula 3 International Trophy’. The venue of these races that will be held within the framework of the British Formula 3 Championship is the legendary 7.004-kilometre Ardennes Rollercoaster of Spa-Francorchamps, with six Formula 3 Euro Series drivers using this opportunity to contest races at this spectacular racetrack. Current Trophy leader Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam), who holds the championship lead in the Formula 3 Euro Series, too, will try hard to extend his lead. Currently, all the top-seven positions in the Trophy ranking are held by Euro Series drivers.
Behind Merhi, who celebrated back-to-back wins in the Trophy season kick-off at Hockenheim, his Prema team-mate Daniel Juncadella and Germany’s Daniel Abt (Signature) follow in second and third position respectively. Marco Wittmann (Signature), the 2010 Formula 3 Euro Series Vice Champion who entered the ‚FIA Formula 3 International Trophy’ only with the first two races already contested, leaped up to fourth position right away by winning round three, held in mid-May at the street circuit of Pau, Southern France.
The last Formula 3 Euro Series race weekend at the Belgian GP circuit so far was held in 2005, with today’s Formula 1 aces Adrian Sutil and Lewis Hamilton both winning one of the two races contested on the shorter version (by 28 metres) of the track.
Laurens Vanthoor (Signature): “It goes without saying that I’m looking forward to my home races. My expectations are high, I’d love to make it to the podium or even secure a race win. And I think doing so should be possible. After all, I was quick on the previous Formula 3 Euro Series weekend at the Norisring. I executed an extensive workout programme to prepare for the coming weekend and now, I’m perfectly motivated for the races at Spa.”