The newly formed Formula BMW Talent Cup was launched with an innovative concept at the curtain-raiser in Munich. 15 talented youngsters from seven countries will be given comprehensive support from motorsport professionals over the coming months, and will be guided towards a career in professional, single-seater racing. BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen greeted the young drivers at the opening workshop in Munich. The juniors were given a first-rate overview of what awaits them over the coming weeks. “We are pleased that the programme is underway now. In recent months we have put together a very extensive programme. The Formula BMW Talent Cup will allow us to continue our consistent promotion of talented juniors in Formula BMW,” says Theissen.
The drivers and parents in Munich gave their full attention to the information provided by mental coach Prof Dr Dieter Hackfort, who will accompany the young drivers throughout the entire motorsport season. The sports psychologist enjoys an excellent reputation as someone who can improve performance, not only in Formula One but also in other top sports. Pros like BMW driver Dirk Adorf will assist the juniors in the fields of driving technique, tactics and set-up. By the end of the season, the drivers will have completed 80 hours of driving practice in the Formula BMW FB02. The areas of fitness and diet will be dealt with by experts from the company Sense, who also look after the most successful Formula BMW driver of all time and current Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel, who won 18 of his 20 Formula BMW races.
The fitness professionals gave the youngsters an in-depth insight into current training methods and sensible eating in Vierumäki, Finland. During the four-day fitness camp at the official training centre for the Finnish National Olympic Committee they explained the successful “Circle of Success” method – a balance of physical strengthening, recovery, mental strength, biodynamics, health and diet. Between ice baths and training sessions in the snow, the participants learned how training is becoming increasingly complex for professional racing drivers.
Great importance is placed on equal opportunities in the Formula BMW Talent Cup. BMW uses the FB02 for all drivers over the course of the season. The technology is taken care of by an experienced team of technicians, led by former Formula BMW team boss Albert Hamper from Dudeldorf, who also looked after Sebastian Vettel during his time in Formula BMW. This ensures that all the drivers are sat in homogeneous cars and the emphasis is on talent on the track.
For the 15 participants at this year’s Formula BMW Talent Cup, the theory and practice work will continue over the coming months. As well as seat fitting and media training, the juniors will also take to the track in the Formula BMW at six events. Venues are in Germany, Sweden, France, Spain and Portugal. The season ends with the “Grand Final”, which will share the bill with a professional race event – probably the DTM weekend in Oschersleben. The winner of the Formula BMW Talent Cup will receive full financing from BMW to compete in the ATS Formula 3 Cup the following season.
2011 Formula BMW Talent Cup – Calendar.
Date / Country / Venue / Event12th-13th March Germany Munich Introduction17th-20th March Finland Vierumäki Fitness camp13th-15th May Germany Groß Dölln Circuit14th-16th June Sweden Sturup Circuit16th-17th July Germany Nürburgring Visit to 24h race25th/26th July France Magny-Cours Circuit 5th-7th August Spain Monteblanco Circuit 20th-21st August TBD TBD Fitness retest26th-28th August Portugal Portimão Circuit 15th-18th September Germany Oschersleben Circuit
2011 Formula BMW Talent Cup – Entry List.
Surname/ First Name/ Country/ CityBrasseur Alice France Les MesneuxCarbonell Alexander Spain BarcelonaEdelhoff Max Germany HemerGunkel Maximilian Germany RödermarkGünther Maximilian Germany RettenbergHalminen Lassi Finland KangasalaJörg Kevin Switzerland WeesenOskiou Darius Switzerland GenevaSchreier Lukas Germany DonauwörthSchindler Felix Germany VielbachSiaurys Airidas Lithuania SiauliaiTorril Boquoi Alex Spain CordobaVenter Liam Petrus South Africa JohannesburgWackerbauer Stefan Germany Vilsheim-Gundihausenzu Schaumburg-Lippe Prinz Max Walter Switzerland Morgarten
