Pietro Fantin returns for a third season of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2015, with the twenty-three-year-old Brazilian remaining with International Draco Racing for a second season having taken his maiden series podium with the team last season.
Talking to The Checkered Flag ahead of the new season of Formula Renault 3.5 that begins this weekend at Motorland Aragon, Fantin revealed that he began his motor racing career in a go-kart bought by his father.
“I started getting involved on motorsport when I started go karting at the age of 14 for fun with my friends,” revealed Fantin. “I started taking it seriously on the beginning of 2007, when my dad gave me my first proper 125cc air-cooled go-kart.
“It was always my decision to start go karting, it was something I loved doing and wanted to be there 24/7. No member of my family was ever involved with racing.”
Fantin believes his career in the junior categories of motorsport has yet to peak as he heads into his second season with International Draco Racing, with his ultimate aim still to reach Formula 1. He also revealed that staying with Draco for a second season was one of the easiest decisions of his career so far.
“[My career has] had a lot of ups and downs,” said the Brazilian. “More disappointments than happiness moments, I have to say, which makes the special moments even more precious and worth it.
“I learned a lot until today and I’m sure I’m still learning with everyone, the team, the drivers, the mechanics, everyone involved is still teaching me something.
“I think I haven’t peaked yet on pre-F1 career, and I expect to reach that this year with Draco. I don’t regret a single moment of my career so far, I always did my best and that makes me satisfied.
“The year I had with Draco in 2014 they really brought out my potential and motivated me to be up there. The atmosphere of the team was always great, my relationship with my engineer was very close, [and] so it was indeed very simple to opt to stay with Draco in 2015.
“[What impresses me most is] their motivation to win races. Even though they have nothing to lose or win by the driver winning a race, they really WANT to win and they work hard to be fighting to be at the front always. And besides that, the friendly and warm atmosphere in the garage its also special with Draco.”
Fantin will be starting his third and potentially final year of Formula Renault 3.5 Series racing in 2015, having debuted back in 2013 alongside Antonio Felix da Costa in the Arden Caterham team, and is aiming for his best season yet. He has revealed that race wins and a championship challenge are amongst his targets for this season.
“I presume this will be my last year in WSR3.5, as it is my third, so I’m looking forward to give 101% of myself and win races,” said Fantin. “I won’t be happy to just be at the top 5. I will fight to be constantly on the podium and hopefully win races. There’s nothing else different than last year that I’m looking forward to this year apart from winning races!
“Personally I want to win the championship. I know it depends of loads of factors for that to happen to anyone, so if I finish a solid season on the top 3 I will be happy too.
“I’m sure Draco is ready to give me a good car and I’m ready to give them a good driver! We have a good package I would say.”
