Briton Adrian Quaife-Hobbs will contest the 2010 Formula 3 Euroseries in a Dallara VW with Motopark Academy, with whom he raced in Formula Renault this season. Eighteen year-old Quaife-Hobbs tested successfully with several F3 and WSR teams during the close season before making the decision to stay with Timo Rumpfkeil’s outfit for a second year.
Following a successful season that saw him finish fourth in both the Formula Renault Eurocup and North European Cup, the former double T-Cars Champion and FBMW racer has undergone a successful test this week at Portimao. He then heads to Estoril for three more days next week.
“Although I tested with other teams, I was always fairly optimistic that we’d be able to do a deal to run with Motopark Academy in Euroseries F3,” said Adrian. “Obviously I raced with them last year and I think we work well together. Aside from their superb record in Formula Renault, they are already proven race winners in only their first year in F3 and were without doubt the best of the up and coming teams which shows how much the development had come on.
“Using Volkswagen engines will be good as they are known for offering a lot of support and providing the extra information required, which for a new team will be particularly important. When I first got the opportunity to test with them at Oschersleben, I was very impressed with the set-up and the car so I feel very confident heading into next season.”
Timo Rumpfkeil was equally enthusiastic about the coming season and delighted to have BRDC Rising Star Adrian among his line-up: “By the fact that we have already worked together with Adrian we know his strengths and weaknesses very well. We can go back almost seamlessly to our work from the year before.
“A fact which will be an advantage equally, for us and for the driver. We are integrated by Volkswagen more into the development which also increases our chances to be at the front in the coming season. I see a big victory potential for Adrian and Motopark Academy.”
The team, undoubtedly one of the most successful Formula Renault teams in Europe, has won eight titles and achieved 95 race victories and 94 pole positions since 2001. The team has won the North European Cup for the last four years and won the Formula Renault Eurocup three times.
Based at the Oschersleben circuit, Motopark Academy will leave Formula Renault to concentrate on Euroseries and German F3, following a successful debut season this year which netted a maiden win, and a second podium finish. For 2010 the team will switch from Mercedes power to Volkswagen with Matias Laine and Antonio Felix da Costa joining Adrian in the squad.
