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June 7, 2007 in Motorsport

IMF Update

INTERNATIONAL FORMULA MASTER TALKING POINTS

ROUND THREE AND FOUR

International Formula Master’s (IFM) second race weekend delivered non-stop action throughout the three-day event in Pau, France, with torrential downpours, high-speed battles and another historical win for the Series.

Saturday saw a high-speed crash in the streets of Pau, with Luca Persiani hitting the barriers on the pit straight whilst leading the first race of the weekend.

The Italian spun his car, hitting the pit wall first before bouncing to the other side of the track. Thanks to the rigorous safety standards of the Formula S2000, the 23-year-old driver walked away from his spectacular crash unhurt.

Luca Persiani, 23, Scuderia Famà

“I could see that Goetz was getting closer and closer to me but I underestimated how soon he would catch me up so when he tried to overtake me, I didn’t see him. I thought he was further back than he was so we touched and that is how my spin started.

“When I look back on the footage, the whole thing only lasts a few seconds but to me it felt more like 10-minutes. When the car stopped, the first thing I thought about was the possibility that I was in the way of the other cars. I was at the front of the race which meant that the whole field had to pass me and I was stopped right on the racing line.

“Then I heard no more cars and the adrenaline kicked in so I got out quick! The marshals and the medic didn’t want me to walk in case I had hurt myself, it’s the standard procedure that has to be followed at any track, but I felt ok to walk.

“I have to say the safety of the car is amazing. In so many cars a few years ago, I would not have been here now. The cockpit was intact and I don’t have any big injuries so it’s really really good. Now all the drivers are going to be more confident with their car because they know how safe it is for them thanks to me!”Youngest-ever driver wins second race

Mexico’s Pablo Sanchez Lopez won this weekend’s second race, becoming the youngest-ever IFM winner at just 17.

The Alan Racing driver who celebrated his birthday in February this year, has been racing in karts since he was nine-years-old. He began his single-seater career in 2005 with the Skip Barber Dodge National, Midwestern and Eastern Championships, showing great potential. On one occasion Sanchez Lopez claimed four poles and three wins out of five Skip Barber Dodge races, all in one weekend.

Pablo Sanchez Lopez, 17, Alan Racing

“It was very hard to find words straight after the race, I was really very happy! We worked so hard in Valencia and this weekend to be competitive, all the work paid of with this win. This is only the beginning though, we want to be fighting for wins the whole season so we have to keep working in the same way.

“To celebrate, the whole team ate together on Sunday night but by Monday it was back to training in Italy. I want to win more races so I have to keep going! The win meant a lot to me though, I spoke to my father straight after the race and it was a very special moment, very emotional. I have never raced at Pau before as well so winning here meant a lot.

“I don’t think that being the youngest is too much of an issue for me. A lot of the drivers have more experience but I learn very quickly and I know I’m fast so I just want to keep thinking in calm and positive ways and win races. The season is long and I am doing ok already so let’s keep moving forward.

“The standard of the Series is very tough, the quality of drivers and teams is very high and there are many other circuits I don’t know so I will keep working hard all year no matter how many races I win.” Twelve different nationalities in the points

When IFM was first created, one of its key aspirations was to be a truly international series. With races in eight different European countries this year, followed by a global calendar in 2008 thanks to its partnership with the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the Series is already recognised as having a solid international platform.

IFM’s drivers further re-enforce the Series’ truly international identity. Altogether, IFM’s young racers represent 15 countries with no less than twelve different nationalities in the points after this weekend’s two rounds.

Not one driver has a compatriot in the top nine, with only Spain featured twice in the top 10 thanks to the performances of Oliver Campos Hull and Arturo Llobel.

Mauro Sipsz, Series Director

“This is the sort of statistics I have always had in mind for IFM. To have a series that captures the essence of international racing, pitching young drivers with enormous potential against one another and delivering exciting track-action for motorsport fans everywhere; that is the core of IFM’s identity.”

International Formula Master Standings

International Formula Master Driver Classification

1. Jerome D’Ambrosio (BEL), 23 points

2. Salvatore Gatto (ITA), 19 points

3. Maximilian Goetz (GER), 16 points

4. Juho Annala (FIN), 15 points

5. Kasper Andersen (DEN), 14 points

6. Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), 14 points

7. Oliver Campos Hull (ESP), 11 points

8. Chris van der Drift (NED), 10 points

9. Johnny Cecotto Jr (VEN), 10 points

10. Arturo Llobel (ESP), 8 points