IFM DRIVERS READY TO TAME THE STREETS OF PORTO
Street circuits have already provided plenty of excitement for the young International Formula Master (IFM) drivers this season and next weekend’s races in Porto promise to do the same.
With 30 Formula S2000 single-seaters descending on the Portuguese street circuit for the first time, expectations from the IFM paddock are high. Plenty of drivers have already studied the track layout and with its 90-degree turns and fast-sweeping curves, the circuit has got IFM’s budding racers revved up well before the start lights go out.
Rodolfo Avila is especially looking forward to next weekend’s round. The 20-year-old races under the Macanese flag but was actually born in Lisbon, Portugal. For 2007, Porto will be the Cram Competition driver’s home-track.
“These are some of the most interesting races of the whole year because the circuit is so unusual and no one knows it,” said Avila. “I don’t feel any pressure as I know I’ll have my family there to support me.
“I tend to prefer street circuits because you get so much adrenaline from it as a driver! It’s hard to predict what will happen; you simply cannot make any mistakes on a street circuit. If you brake a bit too late, you are in the wall and it’s game over. You have to concentrate for every instant.
I think the most important part of the weekend will be qualifying. I have to do well in that session if I want to be on the top.”
Brazil’s Claudio Cantelli Jr is also hoping Porto proves lucky for him. The Portuguese speaker counts Porto as his closest home round on this year’s IFM calendar.
“Portugal feels very similar to my home country which is nice and I really like the feel of the country,” said the 18-year-old who previously raced go-karts in Lisbon.
“I’m really looking forward to the races next weekend. Pau was my first time on a town circuit so I am happy to have a second chance with Porto. It’s also good to get to know one more town track. I think we can do well here. I work very hard with J.D. Motorsport to always improve the car and always do better for the next race so I think we can be confident.”
Porto will see a new driver joining IFM, Italy’s Marco Bonanomi racing for Euronova. There will also be a team change for The Netherlands’ Nick de Bruijn, the 20-year-old has moved from ADM Motorsport and will now race alongside Maximilian Goetz at ISR.
Live coverage of IFM’s fourth round will begin on Eurosport Saturday 7 July from 13.15 (CET) onwards followed by Sunday’s coverage on Eurosport 2 starting at 14.30 (CET).
Live streaming will be available on eurosport.com and formulamaster.net
