Formula Renault 3.5 Series graduate Daniël De Jong has just a couple of days to go until the first round of the 2011 season at Motorland Aragon in Spain and after a series of positive tests, the 18-year-old can't wait for the racing to finally begin.
De Jong, who hails from Westmaas in The Netherlands, built a fantastic reputation last year where he was a race winner and took multiple podiums in the Formula Renault Northern European Cup and a front-runner and podium finisher in Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0. For 2011, he has taken the next step on the ladder to Formula One by signing for the Comtec Racing team in Formula Renault 3.5.
Having established its position as one of the most important feeder categories for drivers with aspirations of a career in Grand Prix racing, Formula Renault 3.5 is one of the most prestigious and high-profile single-seater championships on the globe.
"I'm so excited to be racing in Formula Renault 3.5 this year, it's the next logical step on the career ladder for me and a proven place to develop your skills and get noticed by the F1 team bosses", said Daniël, "I'm really looking forward to the first round at the weekend, it's going to be incredible. "Obviously it's going to be unbelievably tough in my first year, there are some very quick drivers in the championship. My aim is to learn as much as possible in the first few events and then start moving up the order as the season goes on. It's a big challenge and a really exciting one."
During the three pre-season tests Daniël adapted well to the increased power and aerodynamics of his 3.5-litre, 480bhp car with promising performances coming at Motorland Aragon, where he was within 1.4 seconds of the outright pace, and at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, where he was 1.8 seconds shy of the top of the times.
Over the years Formula Renault 3.5 has proven its credentials for producing Formula One stars of the future - Lotus Renault GP driver Robert Kubica won the title in 2005, reigning FIA Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel raced in FR 3.5 in 2007 and double World Champion Fernando Alonso was a title winner during the category's previous guise as Euro Open MoviStar by Nissan. Motorland Aragon in Spain hosts the season curtain-raiser this weekend, 16th/17th April, with the championship also visiting Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, Monza in Italy, Nurburgring in Germany, Hungaroring in Hungary, Silverstone in the UK, Paul Ricard in France and Catalunya in Spain.
By far the biggest event on the schedule though will be the hugely prestigious support slot to the FIA Formula One World Championship on Monaco Grand Prix weekend, 28th/29th May. Coverage of all of the season's Formula Renault 3.5 action will once again be screened on the Eurosport network.
For the 2011 season and his graduation to Formula Renault 3.5 Daniël will be supported by Bostik, Plomp, De Jong Verpakking, Karpack, Eurotrack, Van Egmond Tapijt
