Formula Master’s 2008 single-seater made its track-debut yesterday in Vairano, Italy, with this year’s champion Jérôme D’Ambrosio at the wheel.
Featuring new technology for next season, the car took to the track ahead of schedule for its first shakedown and is already proving a success according to D’Ambrosio.
“This car is great to drive,” said the 2007 Formula Master Champion who completed over 100km today. “The new gearbox is a lot quicker and more precise, which makes the car even more competitive. It also means you don’t have to anticipate gear changes, the whole thing happens much faster.
“The engine is a lot easier to manage, its range is bigger and there is a lot more power when in low revs. Everything went really well today, we had no problems at all throughout the day, which is fantastic when you consider that this was the car’s very first shakedown.” Testing in Vairano, ItalyPowered by the Honda K20A engine, the single-seater race car also includes a new gearbox and clutch hydraulic actuators as well as the latest Magneti Marelli ECU/GCU Marvel 8 featured on next year’s GP2 Series car.
Formula Master’s 2008 International Series was approved by the FIA World Motorsport Council last week with one change to the calendar. The Portuguese rounds in Estoril will now take place one week later. Originally planned for 5-6 July 2008, the International Series’ two races will now be on 12 and 13 July 2008 to avoid clashing with the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.
Formula Master – 2008 calendar
17 & 18 May SPAIN Valencia31 May & 1 June FRANCE Pau14 & 15 June CZECH REP Brno12 & 13 July PORTUGAL Estoril26 & 27 July UK Brands Hatch30 & 31 August GERMANY Oschersleben20 & 21 September SWEDEN Anderstorp4 & 5 October ITALY Monza
Also confirmed is the official Formula Master testing schedule for 2008. The Series will test on circuits from next year’s calendar as well as French Formula 1 track Magny-Cours.
Formula Master – Official 2008 testing schedule
20 & 21 March ITALY Monza2 & 3 April PORTUGAL Estoril22 & 23 April FRANCE Magny-Cours13 & 14 May SPAIN Valencia26 & 27 August GERMANY Oschersleben
Following the announcement that Peroni Promotion will act as the Italian Series’ promoters, the 2008 calendar was also unveiled. Featuring only six dates in order to avoid any clashes with Formula Master’s international calendar, the Italian Series is set to feature teams from the International Series alongside possible newcomers.
Italian Formula Master - 2008 calendar
8 June Vallelunga29 June Magione20 July Misano14 September Mugello12 October Monza26 October Vallelunga
Formula Master’s inaugural season in 2007 delivered some of the year’s best racing with the Series’ concept of offering young, aspiring drivers the chance to establish themselves on an international stage proving a great success already.
2007 Formula Master statistics
FIA WTCC Partner Series Eight events – 16 races Eight European destinations 40 drivers – 19 countries represented 30 cars on average for each event 18 million TV viewers on Eurosport 16 hours LIVE coverage on Eurosport 367,000 attending spectators Inaugural race at Valencia, Spain on 19 May 2007 Inaugural Champion Jérôme D’Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition Inaugural race winner Salvatore Gatto (ITA), Alan Racing Youngest race winner Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing Eight different race winners Six different pole setters 16 different drivers have led a race 15 different drivers have stepped onto the Formula Master podium 30 drivers in the points Featuring N.Technology’s Formula Master race car with electric gearshift and clutch paddles and advanced aerodynamics, the car weighs just 550kg including the driver and runs on control tyres by Yokohama.
The first car in the world to secure 2008 FIA homologation, the Formula Master single-seater has generated excitement from all sectors thanks to its dynamic styling, light-weight body and powerful engine.
