CF Racing has announced it will enter the 2013 Cooper Tires British F3 International Series with promising Chinese racer, Sun Zheng, in a Dallara F308 with a Neil Brown Engineering Mugen Honda powerplant in the National Class.
Zheng is the first driver to benefit from a new partnership between the Welsh team and Chinese KRC squad, which aims to promote the growing pool of talented Chinese racers into European motorsport. The 21-year-old Chinese star has already completed three successful test sessions that have given CF Team Manager Hywel Lloyd confidence in his new driver.
Its worked out really well, said Lloyd, himself a former competitor in British F3. Considering Zheng has never driven in the UK before these tests, were really very pleased. Hes had experience of single-seater before and were looking forward to help him develop and were confident he will progress with us.
Indeed, Zheng is the reigning China Formula Grand Prix series champion, and was an impressive fourth place in the final 2012 Audi R8 LMS Cup standings, becoming the youngest driver to get on the podium when he finished third at home track Zhuhai. The young gun has also competed in multiple racing disciplines including rally and touring cars too.
Commenting on the deal with KRC, which has been in the pipeline for a while, Lloyd adds, Timing wise things couldnt have been better. The extra time that the revised start to British F3 has given us meant we could get organised and put this deal with KRC together. Ultimately theyll provide us with drivers who are keen to get experience in Europe and are ready for the big challenge that you get racing over here.
Were a young team and we need time to build, so this year will allow us that. Weve had a lot of interest and the tracks were visiting, all ex or current GP circuits really help make conversations a lot easier. Were hoping to announce a second driver for the other car soon as well.
British F3 Championship manager, Benjamin Franassovici remarked, Its great to have CF on-board for the new season and to be actually talking about what can be expected this year on track. Weve been working hard to provide a platform that is of interest to teams across Europe, and we have a number of entries were looking at announcing in the coming fortnight from existing teams and also new ones. With the news that both races on Sunday will receive live coverage on Motors TV, we are confident this will kick start our F3 season.
Zheng will get his first taste of race action in the UK at the opening round of the 2013 Cooper Tires British F3 International Series, which takes place at Silverstone on 25/26 May.
