Mike Conway and Rodolfo Gonzalez are British F3 champions after Rounds 19 & 20 of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series at Silverstone.
Mike Conway joins a prestigious line up of drivers who have lifted the British Formula 3 title since 1964, including Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ayrton Senna, Johnny Herbert, Mika Hakkinen, Rubens Barrichello and two generations of the Piquet family.
On his way to the 2006 title Mike won 10 races from 20 starts, with 16 podium finishes in total. He also added 10 pole positions but most importantly he has scored points in every race so far this season, an impressive set of statistics.
Mike Conway: "To be champion, its a big relief as well as a lot of joy and happiness. It's been a long year and now it has finally come to an end and the championships mine it just feels fantastic. It was really emotional that last lap, I knew I was nearly there, I just had to hold it together and then crossing the line I just couldn't speak. The guys were talking to me on the radio but I couldn't reply I was so choked and emotional at that point, I'm really happy. I kept myself strong even though the first weekend didn't go well. We bounced straight back and got some wins. We've been so determined this year to win the championship, just been trying really hard and it has paid off. Not too sure where we're going next but we have a few options and I think we're going to do some GP2 tests. It's been fantastic and I'd like to thank SRO for giving us a great championship, they've taken us to some great circuits which has given us some great racing. The Raikkonen Robertson Racing team have done a fantastic job all the way through the year, so consistent and they've pushed really hard. They are a new team, they do have some very experienced guys but it is a new team and they've really strived to win. I think they are Carlin are going to be the teams to beat next year."
Raikkonen Robertson Racing Team Principal Anthony 'Boyo' Hieatt was thrilled with the result: "We're a new team and Mike's done everything we've asked him for. Fifty percent races wins, a perfect weekend - a champion with style," he said. "Mike was the only driver we chased this year, he was the team leader; he's brought the drivers up to near his level. He's a great champion, thoroughly deserved; it means a massive amount for the team: it's what everyone's worked for, everyone's happy."
Mark Blundell of 2MB said: "We've been associated with Mike since the beginning of this season and he was a guy that we looked at and we felt had a lot of potential. He's been working with the team, Räikkönen Robertson Racing, and I think they've gelled well together. We've done some good for Mike, I think he's taken on board the advice we've put into the system, but he's done all the hard work himself. He's committed himself and given 110% each time and he's got 100% reward with winning the Championship and I think that's a great achievement for him and a great achievement for us. I never expected Mike to go out and and be conservative in terms of knowing he's just going to win it by making up the numbers and earning the points, he's was going to go out and do it in a way that signals to everyone that he's the best and the only way to do that is to win it, which he's done."
T Sport's Rodolfo Gonzalez has been the dominant force in the National Class this season. The 19-year-old Venezuelan stepped up to Formula 3 after spending a year in UK Formula Renault and took to the Dallara like a duck to water, winning straight out of the box. He has scored 13 wins from 20 starts, with a total of 18 podium finishes so far this year. Add to that 13 pole positions and Gonzalez will be a force to reckon with for the overall 2007 British F3 title.
Rodolfo Gonzalez: “It feels good to be Champion. Well at least I think it does, it hasn’t sunk in yet! We achieved what we needed to today but it was tricky. I got pushed onto the grass during the opening lap of race one so I had to fight my way back up to third, which is where I needed to finish to get the Championship in the bag. In race two I made up a couple of places at the start but then I had a bit of a scrap with an A-class car and I ended up launching into the air and damaging the floor when I came back down to earth! It’s good to be Champion; the pressure is off now so I think Thruxton will be a lot of fun!”
Russell Eacott (T-Sport Team Principal): “Obviously we’re all delighted for Rodolfo. He’s had 13 wins so far this year which you have to say is pretty dominant. It’s good to be a Championship-winning team again too as it does a lot to boost the efforts of the whole team as we always want to get better and better. Just one more weekend to go now!”
