The FIA Formula 3 will return to competition this week with a two-day test at the Red Bull Ring, after 10 weeks since the opening races of the season in Melbourne.
The second round of the championship was cancelled due to the war in the Middle East, which also affected the Bahrain Grand Prix and the mid-level test that was set to take place at the Sakhir circuit.
The tests at the Red Bull Ring, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday, are essential for the drivers ahead of the next major event in Monaco in June. The drivers have highlighted the importance of this test, as a two-month period with six consecutive races approaches.
Bruno Del Pino, driver of Van Amersfoort Racing and winner of the sprint race in Australia, commented on his inactivity: “It has been a bit boring, as I haven’t touched the car since Melbourne. I have been training to make sure that I am in a good position before the start of the European campaign.”
Del Pino added that the test is key for him: “Going into Monaco without having tested would be like impossible. Now that I can drive in Austria, I will make the most of it to regain my rhythm and try to push as much as possible in Monaco. Once the season starts, there will be many consecutive races and we will have to maintain the pace and consistency.”
His racing teammate, Fionn McLaughlin from Hitech, expressed a similar opinion: “It’s like the season is restarting. It will be crucial because Monaco will be difficult. After so long without racing, facing Monaco will be a challenge.”
McLaughlin emphasized that the two days of testing will serve to shake off the accumulated dust and prepare for the intense season that is about to come, with races of high physical demand.
The pilots of Campos Racing, who started the season strong thanks to Ugo Ugochukwu’s victory, also see the tests as an important opportunity. Theophile Nael said: “The Red Bull Ring will be a very interesting test for us. I think it’s an appropriate track for that. It will be a good opportunity to be ready.”
However, not all drivers will be able to participate in the test. Christian Ho will not attend due to academic commitments and will be replaced by Gino Trappa, who races in Eurocup-3 with Hitech this year.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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