Formula BMW champion Tim Bridgman has concluded a deal to race in the British Formula 3 championship in 2005. Nineteen-year-old Bridgman, from Dunmow, Essex, will contest the championship class of the series with the Hitech Racing team.
Bridgman was a privateer entry in the inaugural Formula BMW championship in 2004, but secured the title with three wins in only his second year of single-seater racing. His highly successful season was capped by a nomination for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award. Bridgman is delighted to continue into 2005 on a high: “After winning the BMW title last year, it was my aim to break into Formula 3 in 2005 and I’m now in a fantastic position to be able to take the next step up the ladder. Obviously the goal this year will be to get the title, but F3 is hard to win in the first year, so I’ll be looking to get as much experience as possible. That said, if you don’t aim for the title, it’s over before it starts!”
Hitech Racing is owned by David Hayle and managed by F3 engineering legend Bruce Jenkins. The team was established in 2002, making its British Formula 3 debut in 2003 and taking five poles and six podiums, plus a win in the celebrated invitation-only Korean Super Prix. The team posted two wins in the competitive 2004 British Formula 3 championship, and was the highest placed British team in the flagship F3 race in Macau at the end of the year with third place.
Hayle is pleased to confirm Bridgman’s arrival: “We were very impressed with Tim last season in Formula BMW. His ‘do-it-yourself’ attitude stood him out from the crowd, but at the end of the day, a driver has to drive the car, and drive it well. His results speak for themselves, and we hope he’ll continue his winning streak this season.”
The 2005 British Formula 3 championship comprises 11 double-header races, including events at Formula 1 tracks Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Monza (Italy) and the Nürburgring (Germany). The season begins on 3 April 2005 at Donington Park. Tim Bridgman is managed by 2MB, the new sports management company established by ex-Formula 1 drivers Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle.
