Rounds 9 and 10 - Brünn - Preview - Keen competition among 13 nations.
This coming weekend (3rd-5th June) the 26 Formula BMW ADAC drivers will be contesting their second international event of the season. They are perfectly familiar with the circuit at Brno in the Czech Republic: "We've all been here at least once for test drives," says Italian Fabio Onidi (Eifelland Racing), adding: "Brno is my favourite track." The driver from Milan ranks among the global line-up of Formula BMW drivers from 13 countries. Apart from Germany, the countries represented by the field of starters are Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Holland, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the USA.
The worldwide interest in the German Formula series goes hand in hand with the globalisation of Formula One. "If Mexico hosts its own Grand Prix, I would of course be desperately keen to race for my country there," says Mexican driver Sergio Perez Mendoza (4speed Media) of his future dreams. At 15 years five months he is the youngest series contestant and appreciates the close competition within the Formula BMW ADAC Championship. "This series has an incredibly strong turnout," concurs American driver Jonathan Summerton (Team Rosberg), who drove in Formula BMW USA last year.
Word of this series' great appeal has got round in the Baltic region as well. With Harald Schlegelmilch (AM-Holzer Rennsport) from Latvia and Andzej Dzikevic (ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg) of Lithuania, the Baltic states are represented by two drivers. The furthermost country of origin is embossed on the passport of Chris van der Drift (Team Rosberg). The 19-year-old was born in New Zealand, but this season he is flying the flag of the land of his forebears, namely Holland.
It isn't just the field of starters, but the racing calendar as well that has an international flavour. After the first "away match" at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, the Formula BMW ADAC Championship, in addition to Brno, will also be hosted by the Zandvoort circuit in Holland at the end of August. With three European events out of ten weekends, the national series will have made the most of its travelling potential. Jiri Micanek is hoping for a home advantage in Brno. The 18-year-old Czech was born in Ostravacice, but lives in Brno in the immediate vicinity of the asphalt track: "I know every blade of grass there. Naturally I want to make the most of that."
All drivers will be broaching very special international territory at the end of 2005. From 13th to 16th December, the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first ever Formula BMW World Final, in which young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will have an opportunity to test-drive the BMW WilliamsF1 Team race car. One of those looking forward to this international stage is Christian Vietoris (Lissendorf/MLX-Eifelland Racing): "I'm definitely going to be competing! I think it's fantastic that we young drivers are able to take part in something like a world championship. And above all the Formula One test is a great prospect!"
Championship standings after 8 out of 20 races (top 5): 1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 135 points), 2. Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 102), 3. Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg, 70), 4. João Urbano (POR/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 51), 5. Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 34).
Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series will be held in Germany, Britain, Asia and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers as young as 15-years-old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.
This racing car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds by far the safety requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport has developed the FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat especially for Formula BMW. The HANS safety system is also mandatory.
In 2005, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and Christian Klien.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Programme we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out of the blocks to become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."
