James Rossiter’s first season in the British Formula Three Championship ended with a race victory and a second place finish at Brands Hatch this weekend.
James, in his BRDC/Celerant-liveried car, beat new champion Nelson Piquet Junior in the first of two races to take his third win of the year.
James lined up second on the grid alongside Piquet but was faster away at the start to take the lead into the first corner. On a treacherously greasy track surface, James stayed in front all the way to the chequered flag.
In the second race, James started fourth, but was third going into the first corner. This became second when Clivio Piccione needed a pit stop to change a punctured tyre. Piquet won the race.
James has finished the championship third in the points standings for the Fortec Motorsport team, just five points adrift of second-placed Adam Carroll who finished yesterday’s races ninth and fourth. It has been a very strong showing from James in his first season of F3 competition.
He has achieved 12 podium finishes from the 24 rounds, including three victories in wet and dry conditions – on his and sponsor BRDC’s home circuit of Silverstone, Knockhill and Brands Hatch. There have also been five second places and four thirds.
In addition, James set three fastest race laps – at Knockhill, Castle Combe (lap record) and the mighty Belgian Formula One Grand Prix circuit of Spa-Francorchamps (lap record) – and started from pole position on four occasions, at Silverstone, Knockhill, Snetterton and Thruxton.
“We’ve definitely ended the season on a high,” said James. “Once I got in front of Piquet in the first race, there was no way he was coming past. He tried intimidating me on the warm-up lap by weaving at me so I gave him some back.
“In the second race, I’d hoped to challenge Piquet for a second win, but my car’s handling was not right so I had to make the best of what I’d got. (Lucas) Di Grassi was close to me at the end, but I felt comfortable defending my place.”
James is currently weighing up his options for 2005 and is also eyeing entries to Formula Three’s annual ‘blue riband’ races at Macau and new venue Bahrain. He will announce his plans shortly.
