Woking’s Double R Racing has finally shown its hand for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 European Championship, which kicks off at Monza at the tail end of next month, with it bringing in a trio of talented international drivers from different corners of the globe. The outfit will switch to racing in Europe for the very first time, as they will be running a trio of Mercedes-powered Dallaras for their squad.
2012 Formula Pilota China Champion, Italy’s Antonio Giovinazzi, will be the one clearly looking for title hopes, having several wins in both the Pilota series as well as the finale of the Formula Abarth series in Monza last season. He did have a battle with Hong Kong-based British driver Dan Wells, who continues his career in Asia for 2013, for the FPC title, but won the series with races to spare.
Fellow Pilota racer and young Indonesian hopeful, 16-year-old Sean Galeal made an immediate impact in the series last year, finishing fourth overall, with one victory to his credit. He was also the runner-up in the “Best Asian Driver Trophy” class, as well as taking part in three races of the Formula Abarth series last year as well.
Both Galeal and Giovinazzi are part of the Sean GP Management stable, and are joined by a rising female racer, Colombian Tatiana Calderón, who is carving her own success path on her way upwards. The 19-year-old Bogota resident secured a double podium finish in the Star Mazda series in 2011, as well as finishing 6th overall. The former Stars of Karting ICA Junior and IAME international champion is looking ahead to the challenge of a premier series, against some tough rivals, including her team mates.
She also competed in the European F3 Open in 2011 and 2012, as well as finishing ninth in a full campaign, not forgetting her recent good form in the Toyota Racing Series, based in New Zealand. Pembrey was the scene for Double R’s recent test outing, with team principal, Anthony “Boyo” Hieatt, excited at the prospect of what all three drivers can bring to this championship for 2013: “We have raced on the Hankook tyres before, so we know what to expect where they’re concerned. Although there are some highly experienced drivers in European F3 this year, our three are very promising and could well spring some surprises. Testing so far has gone well, we’ve had some good running at Pembrey, so now we can’t wait for the season to get underway.”
With the field now swelling to around 20 drivers in the Championship where the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, amongst others, have made their way via this race series into the big leagues, both becoming World Champions in Formula One. Could any of Double R’s drivers be the next one to keep an eye out for? Just keep watching, and let the story unfold….
