Rounds 13 and 14 - Norisring - Preview - Fighting for the racing lineOver the racing season, the young drivers in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship have to tackle eight different circuits on ten race weekends. At some of the tracks they are able to prepare themselves by means of test drives, but not on Nuremberg's city circuit in this coming weekend (15th to 17th July). The Norisring partially comprises public roads which are only converted into a track for motor racing events. The 2.3-kilometre course is the shortest in the racing calendar for the young driving talents, who may take the wheel of the 140 bhp Formula vehicle from the age of just 15.
On the Norisring, the drivers will do battle for the ideal line over 44 laps (22 per race), hoping to cover the course in optimum fashion. "I watched last year's races on video so as to familiarise myself with the layout of the track," explains championship leader Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing). The novice in the Formula series leads the overall rankings with five race wins. "The next step is to look at the drivers' data from last year which my team manager provides me this. It means, for example, that I can work out exactly in which gear to take which turn," says Hülkenberg of his race preparations.
"When everyone is on site on Thursday, each driver covers the course on foot with his team to get to know its characteristics," explains Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg), currently third in the championship. The New Zealander, who is racing for Holland this year, memorises its salient points. "Where is a good place to overtake? How should I tackle the kerbs? During the race you have to look out for an amazing number of things," says van der Drift.
Special feedback on the course is passed on to the eight Formula BMW ADAC juniors backed by the ADAC and BMW with the sum of 50,000 euros and an Education and Coaching Programme: after practice, qualifying and the races, driving instructor and BMW works driver Jörg Müller gives the sponsored Juniors tips on improving their driving technique. "Christian, don't brake too soon. Try to take the drive with you into the corner", or: "Marco, concentrate on the right shifting times" are the kind of instructions coming from the pro.
The 26 drivers in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship invest plenty of ambition and hard work in their attempt to implement the numerous tips from their team manager, data engineer and driving instructor. Around 130,000 spectators are expected to be watching the battle for the ideal line this weekend.
Championship standings after 12 out of 20 races (top 5): 1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 187), 2. Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 172), 3. Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg, 111), 4. João Urbano (POR/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 110), 5. Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 62).
Points Rookie championship (top 6): 1. Hülkenberg (235), 2. Martin Ragginger (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 127), 3. de Bruijn (123), 4. Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX/4speed Media, 97), 5. Mika Mäki (FIN/Mika Mäki, 82).
Facts and figures after 12 out of 20 races.
Wins 2005: Nicolas Hülkenberg (5), Sébastien Buemi (4), João Urbano (2), Chris van der Drift (1).
Pole positions: Nicolas Hülkenberg (6), Sébastien Buemi (4), Markus Niemelä (1), Nick de Bruijn (1).
Podium places: Sébastien Buemi (10), Nicolas Hülkenberg (9), Chris van der Drift (5), João Urbano (5), Nick de Bruijn (2), Natacha Gachnang (1), Sergio Perez Mendoza (1), Tim Sandtler (1), Marco Holzer (1), Jonathan Summerton (1).
Rookie wins: Nicolas Hülkenberg (11), Nick de Bruijn (1).
Rookie top 3 placings: Nicolas Hülkenberg (12), Nick de Bruijn (8), Sergio Perez Mendoza (5), Martin Ragginger (4), Stefano Coletti (2), Mika Mäki (2), Tobias Hegewald (1), Christian Vietoris (1), Marco Idili (1)
Noteworthy facts:- In all, drivers from 13 countries are competing in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship: Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the USA and Germany.- Nicolas Hülkenberg, a rookie in his debut year in the Formula series, has won five out of twelve races. - This year, Jonathan Summerton and João Urbano bring along international experience of Formula BMW: Summerton competed in the 2004 Formula BMW USA, Urbano in the Formula BMW UK Championship.
Background:
Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series is 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, which is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h, exceeds by far the safety requirements for its class and even meets Formula One standards. 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 is part of the Formula One support programme five times. 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."
In December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will be offered a Formula One test drive.
