Aims for points and podiums as he gears up for new season with Fortec

John Bryant-Meisner says he’s aiming for ‘points and podiums’ with Fortec as the new FIA Formula 3 European Championship season gets ever closer.

The ADD Motorsports driver is hoping to hit the ground running after spending the back end of last year with his new team.

Although he appreciates it will be difficult to compete at the very top, the 19-year-old has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

And now he can’t wait to get back on track - and believes even a win is not beyond him.

He said: “Last year was a learning process as I didn’t have a full season in 2012 because of injury.

“But to win my first race back was amazing and the season was a good one on the whole.

“I was aiming for a Top 10 in the Formula 3 European Championship despite only having a few weekends and everyone said I would be lucky to even make the Top 15.

“So I think I surprised a few people with how quickly I got into a rhythm and how well I did in such a short space of time.

“But I know the car and team now, so I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running this year.

“I know it will be tough, but I’m hoping for points and podiums. And I want to get a win – that would be amazing.”

The 19-year-old from Sweden hit a concrete wall during testing in May 2012, cutting short his German Formula Three Championship debut season.

After undergoing surgery on two fractured vertebrae in his spine he was told it was unlikely he would be back in a car for anywhere up to 18 months.

But he surprised doctors by making a speedy recovery and completed his recovery last January when metal rods that supported his spine were taken out.

He returned in the 2013 German Formula Three season and in the first round gained his first ever Formula 3 win at Oschersleben. He also won the second race of the second round at Spa.

Bryant-Meisner participated in the last two races of the FIA European Formula Three Championship with Fortec, scoring two points by the end of the season, before competing at the Macau Grand Prix.

Now he’s raring to start the 2014 season with the same team and push on from his brilliant start.

He said: “It’s a good team. They’ve gone through a bit of a change so we’ll see how it goes, but it’s a smaller team, so hopefully it will mean we will get a lot more attention. The car is really good and the team is really good. These are the important things.”

As it stands, Bryant-Meisner is likely to leave the Championship before the final race unless they can secure more sponsorship.

They have plans in the pipeline for the end of the season if this is the case, although nothing has been set in stone.

He added: “There are a lot of options out there for the future and we are looking at what’s available before making any decisions.

“The ultimate goal is Formula One, but you have to keep an eye on other options if you want a career in racing and we’ll go over them during the season.”

For now, it’s about getting ready for the new season with Fortec, which begins on April 18th at Silverstone.

He added: “I’m not nervous yet, that will come later. But I’m getting really exited now - it’s been a while since I’ve driven and I’m looking forward to get back out there. I’m hoping for a really good season.”