Andrés Méndez will contest the 2014 German Formula Three Cup in a Dallara-VW entered by Team Lotus Motopark. The 21-year-old from Bogotá, the capitol of Columbia, signed a deal on the weekend.
Méndez moves up from the North European Formula Renault Championship. “I value the experience which my new team has in other series such as GP2,” says the South American. “I’m grateful to get the opportunity to learn from such a big and successful team.”
The Colombian comes with a pedigree of international racing. Already in Karting, he not only focussed on his home land but also raced in Italy, a bespoke Karting country. Later on, he learned his trade of car racing in the highly-respected Jim Russell Racing School in the USA, where he also continued Karting and moved up to Formula Star Mazda in 2012. His rise through the ranks finally caught the eye oft he powers-that-be in the Ferrari Driver Academy, where Méndez got a chance to present himself in a test drive.
Lotus Motopark’s team principal Timo Rumpfkeil has been following the young South American’s progress closely over the past years. “We gave him quite a bit of track time in testing last year,” recalls Rumpfkeil. “What we saw in testing convinced us that he is a talent with a lot of potential. I’m sure we can unleash this potential this coming season. Not only because he is a gifted driver but also because he shows exactly the amount of dedication and eagerness to learn and progress that a young driver must have to make it up the ladder. I’m sure we can establish him right at the front of the German Formula Three series sooner rather than later.”
In the fast laneMéndez himself is keen to grab the bull by the horns. “I will do my best to accomplish the team’s expectations and make them and my country proud.” One thing is certain: By adding Méndez to the grid, German Formula Three will be in for a year full of action and closely-fought competition on track. For in 2013, the Colombian earned himself the “Hard Charger Award” in the Formula Star Mazda series – for the driver who gains the most places in all the season’s races.
Continuing the successful stintTimo Rumpfkeil will contest the ATS Formula 3 Cup with four drivers. It remains to be seen if the team can continue their successful stint from last year. The Lotus team was far ahead in the team ranking in 2013 and also secured the driver’s title, with Marvin Kirchhöfer being the current ATS Formula 3 Cup champion.
