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FIA INTERNATIONAL F3000 - 2002 SEASON PREVIEW |
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For 2002 International F3000 has a new look, with the new Lola B2/50 (to be used until the end of 2004) making its debut. Changes to the technical regulations mean that chassis, cockpit and bodywork dimensions mirror F1, as must the wheel sizes and suspension symmetry. In addition the minimum weight has been increased by 10kg to 660kg, six-speed gearboxes can be used and there are a number of safety improvements. The field this year is looking the leanest it has in a long time, only 20 cars set to race at the Interlagos opening round. Three teams have left the series over the winter - Prost Junior (formerly Apomatox) went into receivership along with the Prost F1 team, while veterans DAMS and Belgian squad KTR have pulled out due to the difficulty in finding drivers with the sponsorship required. KTR's defection to the cheaper Dallara Nissan V6 shows that the new series, despite its claims otherwise, is a real threat to International F3000. Nevertheless there is real strength in depth in the drivers entered in this year's F3000 series. In previous years there have been clear favourites from the start of the year, but for 2002 a number of drivers could potentially take the title in the 12-race series, the introduction of a new car meaning that the traditional order could be shaken up. Sebastien Bourdais appears to be in the best position, having signed for Super Nova, although the same was said of Mark Webber last year, the Australian ultimately settling for 2nd. Frenchman Bourdais, 4th with DAMS in 2001, starts as many people's favourite however. Super Nova will this year run with Renault colours. Arden Team Russia have lead the way in pre-season testing, their driver Tomas Enge, who broke into F1 with Prost, having finished third (on equal points with Webber) with Nordic last year. He is another favourite, while rookie teammate Bjorn Wirdheim has also been impressive. The Petrobras Junior Team keep their 2001 line-up, Ricardo Sperafico and Antonio Pizzonia returning for a second year after both winning races last season. The Brazilians should be contenders for the title if they can be more consistent. Another 2001 season race winner, Giorgio Pantano, was many peoples' pre-season favourite when it appeared he would sign for Super Nova. Although a contract was made, Super Nova ultimately opted for Bourdais and Tiago Monteiro when a sponsorship deal went sour. Pantano found himself at Coloni in a last minute deal, although on past form it will be difficult for the Italian team to mount a championship challenge with the former German F3 champion. Nordic Racing, by far the most impressive squad of last year with champion Justin Wilson and Enge, will find the going tougher this year. With two inexperienced drivers, rookie Ryan Briscoe and former Prost Jr driver Zsolt Baumgartner, Nordic are unlikely to match last year's results. Briscoe is nevertheless a star in the making, the Australian Toyota F1 tester one to watch as he gets up to speed. One new team is making its debut this year, PSM Racing Line, formed from a merger between German F3 teams GM Motorsport and Mücke Motorsport. Now a look at the year's prospects, team-by-team. Rookie drivers are marked with a "*". |
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Coca-Cola Nordic Racing |
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Website: http://www.nordicracing.com/ |
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1 |
Ryan Briscoe (AUS)* |
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Website: http://www.ryanbriscoe.com |
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Last season: N/A [Italian F.Renault - 1st; Eurocup F.Renault - 4th; German F3] |
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Driver prediction: After a very impressive 2001 season the Toyota test driver has been given a major break in F3000, driving for last year's championship winning team. Although he may take some time to get up to speed, there is no doubt that the Australian is very talented. Unlikely to be a contender for overall honours in his first season though. |
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2 |
Zsolt Baumgartner (H) |
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Website: http://www.zsolt.baumgartner.hu/ |
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Last season: Prost Junior Team - 20th=, 0pts. Best finish: 13th. |
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Driver prediction: With little experience Baumgartner replaced Gabriele Varano for seven races with Prost Junior last season, and the Hungarian made little impression. He also competed for the full season of German F3 with Klaus Trella Motorsport, finishing 17th overall. Baumgartner now has an F3000 team which should reveal his potential, which remains unclear after earlier impressing in Formula Renault. |
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Team prediction: Justin Wilson and Tomas Enge took first and third in the standings last year, but in 2002 the team are not likely to come close to those achievements. Briscoe is talented, but with he and Baumgartner so inexperienced the team might only score points and maybe podiums or wins on occasion. Remember, last year's drivers were both in their third full seasons before they performed consistently. |
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Petrobras Junior Team |
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Website: http://www.petro-f3000.com/ |
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3 |
Antonio Pizzonia (BR) |
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Website: http://www.antoniopizzonia.net/ |
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Last season: Petrobras Jr - 6th, 22pts. Best finish: 1st. |
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Driver prediction: After winning at Hockenheim last year, "Jungle Boy" goes into 2002 with a good chance of taking the title. The former British F3 champion finished just two points behind teammate Sperafico last year, despite his lack of F3000 experience, but outqualified him more often than not. He should be capable of winning races, and if he scores points consistently he will be well on his way to the championship. |
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4 |
Ricardo Sperafico (BR) |
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Website [unofficial]: http://www.ifrance.com/driversland/ris.htm |
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Last season: Petrobras Jr - 5th, 24pts. Best finish: 1st. |
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Driver prediction: Sperafico broke into International F3000 last year after winning the Italian F3000 title, and this year the main prize could be a possibility. Despite finishing ahead of Pizzonia in the standings, the winner at Spa last year was less consistent in qualifying as the year went on. If he improves in this aspect, he should be an contender for the title, and certainly for more wins. |
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Team prediction: Keeping a winning line-up from 2001 should see Petrobras Junior perhaps the strongest team in the field. Either of the closely matched pair of Brazilians could well emulate the 2000 championship winning season of Bruno Junqueira, although both need a little more consistency. It will be interesting to see which of the pair gains the upper hand. |
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Super Nova Racing |
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Website: http://www.supernova-racing.com/ |
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5 |
Sebastien Bourdais (F) |
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Website: http://www.sebastien-bourdais.com |
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Last season: DAMS - 4th, 26pts. Best finish: 1st. |
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Driver prediction: Bourdais is many people's bet for the 2002 championship. Joining top team Super Nova should show his true potential after seasons with Prost Junior and DAMS, both teams having left the series. The Frenchman, with support of Renault (the extent of which is unclear) and the French government, was beaten only by Enge last year of the drivers who remain in F3000, and with a proven team he should be capable of the title. Expect race wins at the very least, although he will want to finish more races than Mark Webber did last year. |
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6 |
Tiago Monteiro (F)* |
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Website: http://www.tiagoracing.com |
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Last season: N/A [French F3 - 2nd] |
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Driver prediction: Monteiro entered the team in controversial circumstances after Giorgio Pantano was dropped against his will, although the Portuguese deserves a place in the series. Showing talent in French F3, Monteiro could nevertheless take time to get up to speed as pre-season testing suggested. His performances relative to the experienced Bourdais will be interesting to watch. |
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Team prediction: Once again Super Nova have strong team line-up, with Bourdais one of the outright favourites for the championship. As long as he doesn't have a disastrous string of retirements like Mark Webber last year, he and the team should be a contender throughout the year. Monteiro is one to watch. David Sears' team will also be supporting the new Euronova squad in Euro 3000 this year. |
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Red Bull Junior Team |
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Website: http://www.redbull-f3000.com/ |
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9 |
Patrick Friesacher (A) |
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Website: N/A |
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Last season: Red Bull Jr - 13th, 8pts. Best finish: 4th. |
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Driver prediction: The Austrian impressed in his rookie season last year, although he had a number of races to forget. If he can improve his consistency, staying with the same team could see him leap up the order in the final standings. He should aim for podiums and perhaps his first win. It will be interesting to see if he can eclipse his teammate Mauricio in their first full season together. |
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10 |
Ricardo Mauricio (BR) |
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Website [unofficial]: http://www.ricardomauricio.cjb.net |
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Last season: Red Bull Jr - 8th, 14pts. Best finish: 2nd. |
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Driver prediction: Mauricio returned to F3000 last year as replacement to Antonio Garcia, and this time around he put in a number of good performances, scoring points in five of the eight rounds he contested and taking two podiums. If he can continue at this level a first win could be possible and regular point scores could make him an outside bet. |
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Team prediction: Helmut Marko's team retain their drivers from last year, which could make them a potent force. Both drivers are proven talents, and Red Bull seemed to have put their disastrous 2000 season behind them. They have a long way to go to match Jörg Muller's 1996 championship season (as RSM Marko) however. |
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Team Astromega |
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Website: http://www.team-astromega.com/ |
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14 |
Mario Haberfeld (BR) |
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Website: N/A |
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Last season: Super Nova Racing - 15th, 3pts. Best finish: 4th. |
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Driver prediction: The Brazilian has had plenty of chances to perform in F3000, but mysteriously has failed to achieve much. The former British F3 champion had driven for McLaren and Fortec, both seasons interrupted by injury, but last season seemed to be his big break. He could only manage a single points finish with Super Nova though, while Mark Webber claimed second in the championship. A move to Astromega could be his last chance, and with his experience he will be expected to perform. |
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15 |
Rob Nguyen (AUS)* |
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Website [Penker Racing driver page]: http://www.penker-racing.com/fahrer.html |
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Last season: N/A [German Formula Volkswagen - 5th=] |
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Driver prediction: The almost unknown Australian makes a huge jump into F3000 after just one season of racing, in the German Formula Volkswagen series with Team Penker Racing. To take fifth in his first season of competition shows he has talent, but the leap in power and the competitiveness of his rivals means he could struggle as the season goes on. Nevertheless he has shown he is not out of his depth in testing. One to watch. |
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Team prediction: The Belgian team have brought a number of talented drivers to victories in the past, such as the late Gonzalo Rodriguez, Fernando Alonso and Giorgio Pantano, but this year they have settled for the experienced Mario Haberfeld, yet to prove himself in F3000, and a virtual novice in Nguyen. It could be hard to take a victory this season, but the dedicated team could spring a surprise or two if the drivers and team gel. |
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European Minardi F3000 |
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Website: http://www.euroav.com/Pages/euroracinghomepage.html |
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16 |
Alexandre Sperafico (BR)* |
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Website: http://www.sperafico.com/ |
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Last season: N/A [Barber Dodge Pro Series - 12th] |
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Driver prediction: A surprise late addition to the field, the cousin of Ricardo and Rodrigo makes his F3000 debut after a few seasons in America. Alex may struggle to match his cousins' achievements, the latter having had a year's "apprenticeship" in Italian F3000, but he will be one to watch as the season develops. |
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17 |
David Saelens (B) [at present only signed for round 1] |
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Website: http://www.davidsaelens.com/ |
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Last season: European Minardi - 10th, 10pts. Best finish: 4th. |
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Driver prediction: The Belgian has only been signed for the first round, with a decision on who will drive from Imola onwards yet to be announced. The former French F3 champion clearly has talent, as some performances for Super Nova suggested, and continuing with European Minardi means that he already knows the team, if not the new car. Injury affected his season last year, and he was only ever in contention for the lower points positions. If the team performs, he could well impress, although he may only have one chance to do so. |
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Team prediction: It wasn't clear until the last minute whether European Minardi would continue in F3000 this year, but then out of the blue Alexandre Sperafico was signed, followed by David Saelens on a one-race deal for Interlagos. Sperafico is a rookie to F3000, and although showing speed in Barber Dodge his ultimate abilities remain a question mark. Saelens is a proven talent, but with uncertainty over who will drive the second car from round two, the team could struggle even to match last year's mediocre acievements. Missing all the official tests, European Minardi will be behind the pack in working with the new Lola B2/50. |
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Arden Team Russia |
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Website: http://www.arden-motorsport.com |
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18 |
Bjorn Wirdheim (S)* |
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Website: http://www.wirdheim.com/ |
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Last season: N/A [German F3 - 9th] |
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Driver prediction: The Swedish rookie caused a sensation by taking pole for last season's Macau F3 Grand Prix, having steadily improved his form in German F3. He now moves into F3000 with Arden, where he has been surprisingly quick in testing. One to watch this year, he could spring some surprises. |
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19 |
Tomas Enge (CZ) |
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Website: http://www.tomas-enge.cz/ |
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Last season: Nordic Racing - 3rd, 39pts. Best finish: 1st. |
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Driver prediction: After replacing the injured Luciano Burti at Prost in F1, in 2001 Enge abandoned his best F3000 season to date. Very fast across the whole year with Nordic, his more consistent teammate Justin Wilson took the title, leaving the Czech to match Mark Webber for points, but take third overall on a "countback" tie-breaker. This season he joins Arden, and is without a doubt a championship favourite. Very quick in testing, Enge will hope that Arden can prove it wasn't the team that has been holding itself back in recent years. |
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Team prediction: After two seasons with Darren Manning and Viktor Maslov, Arden decided something needed to be done to improve their poor performances. Taking on a new driver pairing is a bold move, but Enge is a proven talent and Wirdheim has been impressive so far. To become a consistent front-running team, as Nordic did last year, is now the team's biggest task. Testing suggests they have got to grips with the new Lola ahead of their rivals. Meanwhile, Arden are also providing technical support to Euro 3000 team Charouz Racing this year. |
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Durango Formula |
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Website: http://www.durango.it/ |
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20 |
Alexander Müller (D) |
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Website: http://www.alex-mueller.net |
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Last season: N/A [Euro 3000 - 3rd] |
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Driver prediction: The German returns to International F3000 for the first time since 1999, having competed in Euro 3000 last year with Team Ghinzani, finishing third overall. A frontrunner there and in F3, his only full FIA F3000 season to date was '98 with ORECA's BMW junior squad, where expectations were high but points were few and far between. Joining Durango he has another crack at the series, and with two full seasons of driving F3000 machinery he could well impress. |
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21 |
Rodrigo Sperafico (BR) |
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Website [unofficial]: http://www.ifrance.com/driversland/ros.htm |
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Last season: Coloni F3000 - 20th=, 0pts. Best finish: 7th. |
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Driver prediction: Rodrigo has been eclipsed by his twin brother Ricardo since they graduated into F3000 in the Italian series in 2000, but he has also shown good pace on occasion. Last season with Coloni was a disappointment, the Brazilian replaced by Marc Goossens before the end of the year. A move to Durango gives him another chance, but the hard trying veteran team are yet to establish themselves as consistent frontrunners. |
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Team prediction: Durango still need to prove themselves as a team, many talented drivers having failed to set the world alight in the Italian run machines. If they can improve their consistency and score regularly rather than throw up the odd result, they will be well on their way. They have two strong drivers this year, either one of them capable of producing good results. |
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Coloni F3000 |
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Website: http://www.colonimotorsport.com |
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24 |
Enrico Toccacelo (I) |
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Website: N/A |
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Last season: Team Astromega - 20th=, 0pts. Best finish: 13th. |
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Driver prediction: Failing to impress with Astromega in his four races last year, and causing an inexcusable shunt at Monza, the Italian switches to Coloni and will hope to reignite his old German and Italian F3 form. The former Italian F3 title contender has impressed in testing and could produce some good results. |
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25 |
Giorgio Pantano (I) |
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Website: http://www.giorgiopantano.com/ |
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Last season: Team Astromega - 9th, 12pts. Best finish: 1st. |
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Driver prediction: Pantano was expected to sign for Super Nova, but a controversial decision not to run him led to court action and the Italian instead finds himself at Coloni, something of a last resort. His rookie season with Astromega was a disappointment, despite the win at Monza, often qualifying midfield. He showed his talent on occasion, but it was not the season expected after his German F3 title. With Coloni it could be difficult to produce consistent results based on past form, but his raw talent could shine through. |
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Team prediction: Like Durango, Coloni have to prove their abilities as a team this season, and Paolo and Enzo Coloni know the challenge that awaits them. With two talented drivers, there will be few excuses. In testing they have run well, but the real work is still to be done. Coloni are also entering Euro 3000 and the Italian Formula 2 series this year. |
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PSM Racing Line |
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Website: N/A |
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26 |
Tony Schmidt (D)* |
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Website: N/A |
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Last season: N/A [German F3 - 10th] |
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Driver prediction: The German F3 driver (with GM Motorsport) makes the leap to F3000 with the new PSM Racing Line team, but could struggle in his rookie season. Testing has not been particularly impressive, but judgement should be reserved. Hopefully the team will soon settle in and Schmidt can show his full potential. |
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27 |
Nicolas Kiesa (DK)* |
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Website: http://www.kiesa.com |
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Last season: N/A [British F3 - 14th; German F3 - 20th] |
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Driver prediction: Kiesa caused a sensation after moving from karts into Formula Ford, taking the British title in his second year. A move into F3 in 2000 with RC Motorsport's Benetton Junior squad continued that form, the Dane taking a win and sixth in the standings, but last year was a setback after RC Prost Junior quit F3 and Kiesa turned to German F3. With the new PSM team Kiesa has already impressed in testing, and should be capable of producing good results depending on whether the team can be consistent from the start. |
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Team prediction: Formed from a link-up between German F3 teams GM Motorsport and Mücke Motorsport, Sigi Muller's new squad has a talented driver in Kiesa, while Schmidt is one to watch. Although they will need to learn the ropes, Kiesa's testing form suggests they are already on the pace. Having two inexperienced drivers could hold them back, but at least all the teams have to learn about the new Lola. |
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FIA Pre-Season Testing |
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2002 Calendar |
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Round |
Circuit |
Date |
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1 |
Interlagos (BR) |
30th March |
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2 |
Imola (I) |
13th April |
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3 |
Barcelona (E) |
27th April |
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4 |
A1-Ring (A) |
11th May |
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5 |
Monaco (MC) |
25th May |
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6 |
Nurburgring (D) |
22nd June |
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7 |
Silverstone (GB) |
6th July |
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8 |
Magny-Cours (F) |
20th July |
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9 |
Hockenheim (D) |
27th July |
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10 |
Hungaroring (H) |
17th August |
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11 |
Spa-Francorchamps (B) |
31st August |
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12 |
Monza (I) |
14th September |
[http://uk.oocities.com/unofficialf3000/intlf3000/intlf3000_2002preview.htm]