Reigning Formula Ford Champion, James Cole, has sealed a deal to race with T-Sport in the British F3 Series this season, as the 21-year-old from Merseyside continues his racing education and graduates to the proving ground of international motorsport. Cole has opted to compete in the National Class of the Series as he lays the foundations for a professional career in the sport.
Cole has already sampled an F3 National Class car with a run out at the end of last season. He will now begin testing in earnest with his new team, taking part in this week’s test session at Snetterton circuit. Driving the Mugen-Honda powered Dallara T-Sport National Class car Cole will use the two days to acclimatise himself to the car and the team, and to start developing the package in preparation for the 2010 season.
The test hasn’t come a moment too soon for Cole as he says, “I’m itching to get back in a race car and I’m delighted we’ve concluded a deal with T-Sport, as I have tremendous respect for the team and believe we will be a winning partnership. I’ve done my foundation work in Formula Ford and it’s now time to move up a gear, with a faster, more powerful car. Adding in aerodynamics and a higher level of competition gives me the next challenge on my motor racing career path and I’m ready to continue my education behind the wheel with proven race winners, T-Sport.”
After a stellar year of dominating British Formula Ford, Cole was crowned Champion, with seven wins, 15 podiums, five pole positions and six fastest laps on route to his success. This outstanding performance led to Cole being one of the six finalists in the 2009 BRDC Autosport McLaren Young Driver of the Year. With his decision to contest F3 at National level, he will retain eligibility for this prestigious award in 2010. As Cole says, “Standing out from the crowd is getting more difficult as there are so many different race series. It’s not just winning that counts, it’s being recognised by the industry as a talented driver. Being able to have another crack at winning the Young Driver award is important to me and could be very influential for my future career.”
Cole’s motor racing success has forced him to put another passion on the back burner. An accomplished musician, the young racer has been studying at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, but his commitment to racing has led to him taking a sabbatical from the college. Cole explains, “I love motor racing and music, but found that I couldn’t give 100% to both, so something had to go. I know that music will always be in my life one way or another, but you only get one shot at making it in racing, so I’m focusing completely on this now. But don’t be surprised if you hear guitar riffs drifting out from the car transporter during the season, it will just be me trying to relax in the down time between races.”
The 2010 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series kicks off with a home race weekend for Cole at Easter, with Oulton Park hosting the season opener. The Series features a new race and qualifying format as well as an expansion from 20 to 30 races in the 10 round championship.
