Cambridge-based South American driver Ernesto Viso (Cambridge / Caracas, Venezuela) signed off his limited F3000 programme in style this weekend when he secured eighth place in the tenth, and final, round of the FIA Formula 3000 Championship at Monza in Italy.
Viso’s decision to cut short his successful British F3 campaign this season, in favour of a limited programme of F3000 races, has proved the youngster’s ability at the very highest level of international motorsport.
Despite his lack of track – and race car – knowledge, Viso has secured points in four of his six F3000 outings and, in the process, impressed the F1 team bosses.
Said Viso:
“It was not an easy decision to move to the F3000 Championship, because I was winning races in British F3. But it was a move I knew I had to make, in order to best progress my career. It has been a steep learning curve, but a hugely valuable one – and I am now well prepared to make the next step towards Grand Prix racing.”
ROUND TEN QUALIFYING – 15th
Despite never having seen the 3.6-mile Monza Circuit before this weekend, Viso’s tenacity and natural skill as a race driver was in evidence during the limited Free Practice sessions. Fifth quickest was testament to the youngster’s ability to learn a track – and boded well for official qualifying.
But, unfortunately, the talented South American was denied the opportunity to show his abilities during the qualifying session. A broken gearbox input shaft after just a handful of laps immediately forced him out of contention – and produced a lowly 15th position on the grid for the race.
ROUND TEN RACE RESULT – 8th
Facing an uphill battle for points from his 15th position on the grid, Viso knew that consistency coupled with inspirational driving would be required in the final F3000 encounter of the season.
And, true to form, he delivered in style.
As the pack blasted off the line on the run to the first corner, Viso held position amongst the fraught mid-pack action. But he was soon on the move, taking three cars with a bold move round the outside of the ultra fast Curva Grande corner. However all his good work was almost undone at the second chicane, as the battling group in front tripped over each other, sending cars spearing off the circuit left and right. In the confusion, Viso was hit from behind, forcing him violently into the back of his team mate – and spearing a hole in the front of his race car in the process. Undeterred, Viso powered his way through the confusion and back into the race, albeit now harbouring a straight-line speed disadvantage due to the damage.
As the race settled down, Viso began to make inroads into Jeffrey Van Hooydonk. By lap five, he was right with the Supernova driver and, with perfect timing, pulled a tremendous move for position through Curva Grande. The following Patrick Friesacher also jumped Hooydonk in the same move and began to apply pressure to Viso. With no alternative but to defend the inside line into the second chicane, Viso made a slow exit, allowing both Friesacher and Van Hooydonk to get the run on him into the next corner. A terrific battle ensued, as Viso waited for his chance to re-take the position. Timing his move to perfection, the talented youngster was right with the pair through Parabolica corner – and used the tow to sling-shot past them both in a breathtaking move onto the main straight. Viso was now, incredibly, up to seventh!
Again forced to defend hard into the next corner, the first chicane, Viso had to take to the dirty part of the track – and consequently straight-lined the corner. Although he forcibly kept his rivals behind him, Viso was immediately called into the pits for a drive-through penalty – for his transgression at the chicane.
Rejoining down in 12th, Viso was taking no prisoners over the final part of the 26-lap race, forcing his way up to a superb eighth place at the flag.
