James Cole, finished his first round of British F3 reflecting on the highs of a challenging weekend. A class win and lead of the National Class has buoyed the 21-year-old driver’s confidence as he heads into the toughest season of racing of his career. Oulton Park, host venue for the Cooper Tires British F3 International Series during the Easter weekend break, is familiar territory for the 21-year-old and he enjoyed his first experience of F3 racing, driving with the experienced T-Sport racing team.
Cole, reigning British Formula Ford champion, has graduated to the National Class of the British F3 championship and is using the opportunity to continue his motor racing education in one of the most competitive single seater categories. The Merseysider began his weekend with a solid qualifying performance on Saturday morning, earning 16th place grid slots for the first and third races, with the grid for the second race featuring semi-reversing from the race one finish.
The opening race was Cole’s first experience of the frenetic, wheel-to-wheel action of British F3 and he kept his cool, holding position for the first few laps, then improving to 12th position. A two lap safety car period calmed the field and on the return to full speed racing, Cole had to battle hard with rivals around, but these faster international cars proved more than a match, and he was pushed down one position. Undeterred Cole pushed on and fought back to reclaim 12th place by the chequered flag.
Racing resumed today, after a day off from track activities for Easter Sunday. Cole was keen to continue to score consistent points and benefit from his 12th place start, but luck wasn’t on his side. An unfortunate spin on lap 5 of the 13-lap race, prematurely ending Cole’s run, sidelining him for the remainder of the race.
The final race, a 26 lap feature event, tested Cole’s stamina as well as his racecraft skills, with the racer having previously only competed in races averaging less than half this distance. Cole endured a tough race, having dropped back to the rest of the field after an enforced pitstop at the end of lap one. It was a chance for Cole to put the hammer down when he returned to the track and he turned a string of consistent laps to reduce the gap to the cars ahead. Finishing 17th and taking the National Class win was a welcome reward for Cole’s efforts, and with his 12th place finish from the first race he took the lead of the National Class.
After the three races, Cole said, “It’s been a positive weekend for me. I didn’t expect to lead the National Class after the first weekend, but very happy to have achieved this at an early stage of the season. Being top is one thing though, it’s going to be very tough to hold on to it, but it’s consistency which will be the key.
“It’s my first experience of racing a car with wings and the amount of downforce I have takes some getting used to. Although I’ve been testing, there are new experiences when you are racing competitively, particularly learning to understand the car’s handling when running in a tight field. I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made, but I know I have to have confidence in the grip and downforce I have, to make best use of this in qualifying and the race.”
Cole carries the lead of the National Class into the second round of the series in three weeks time at Silverstone circuit, Northamptonshire. The Cooper Tires British F3 International Series will race on the Grand Prix circuit at the home of the British Formula One Grand Prix, 1-2 May 2010.
