Team Firstair is the first Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin outfit to fully confirm its 2005 driver line-up - the pairing to be announced at Autosport International today (Thursday, 13th January) on the main Autosport stage at 15.00.
Canadian sensation Sean McIntosh, 2004 ‘Graduate Cup’ Champion and an outright race winner last year during his maiden season of Formula Renault racing in the UK, returns to the Middlesex-based team and will be joined by exciting French prospect, experienced European Formula A karter Jean-Robert Niogret.
Speaking on his newly agreed deal, 19-year old McIntosh said: “I’m really excited to be back with Team Firstair and while I am going for the title, we are going to approach things one race at a time, but hopefully the results will come and we’ll have a great year.
“From what I hear Jean-Robert is a good driver and part of my role will be to help give him some guidance from the experience I gained racing in the UK last year. Things are looking very good for us and we’re confident it’ll be another successful season.”
While McIntosh will certainly start the championship as a potential successor to 2004 titlist Mike Conway, his new team-mate will be hoping to carve a name for himself in undoubtedly the country’s, and perhaps the world’s, most competitive junior single-seater series.
Niogret’s career is being guided by fellow Frenchmen Franck Marie, former Triple Eight Race Engineering Commercial and Marketing Director, and former British Touring Car Champion Yvan Muller, who will be keeping a close eye on their 20-year old protégé’s progress throughout the 2005 season, beginning at Donington Park on 9th/10th April.
Niogret commented: “Getting involved in Formula Renault UK for my first season in single-seater racing is a fantastic opportunity for me. Thanks to the help of Yvan and Franck as my management team to advise me along the way and with a team such as Firstair, which has a fantastic racing pedigree, to run my first season - and of course not forgetting Sean whose experience will be of great value - I believe all the right pieces are in place.
“However, I know it is going to be a very steep learning curve in such a competitive championship and this is why I am planning to take my time to learn the car and the circuits, which will all be new to me, and if all goes well hopefully I’ll be among the front runners by the end of the season.”
Touring car ace Muller, meanwhile, added: “Young talented drivers can sometimes find it hard to make the right decision to start or further their careers in motorsport and this is why Franck and myself have decided to help Jean-Robert along the way.
“When first approached by him, we recommended he enter Formula Renault UK and we are pleased he followed our advice. To have now secured a drive for him with Team Firstair we feel Jean-Robert has the best possible chance to launch his career in single seaters.”
Team Firstair, which has a car on display at stand K620 in the karting area of Hall 20 as part of Renault UK’s presence at the show, has also confirmed Chris Gorne as its new race engineer.
Ian Barnwell, Team Firstair boss, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our line-up and we’re confident it’ll be one of the strongest on the grid this year. I’m very pleased we also have Chris on-board as our engineer and he’ll help us strive for our chief aim - to win the main Formula Renault UK title.
“Last year was a fantastic one for us with Sean winning the ‘Graduate Cup’ and also taking an outright race win. We know we have what it takes and we’re going to raise our expectations even higher this season. It’ll be very much a learning year for Jean-Robert but I’m certain he’ll do well and the fact he’s Yvan Muller’s protégé says a lot for his ability.”
In another exciting development for Team Firstair, the outfit will benefit from its close relationship with the Le Mans-based World Series by Renault and GP2 team Dams. As winner of the 2003 Formula Renault V6 Championship and a three-time titlist in Formula 3000, Dams has an unquestionable pedigree in the higher reaches of motorsport.
The strong links between the two teams will help provide a stepping-stone from Formula Renault UK to European-level racing for Team Firstair drivers. Its new signings, McIntosh and Niogret, will receive special attention from Dams management when testing drivers in either a World Series or GP2 car.
Barnwell added: “We wanted to make the step to European racing easier while also keeping our drivers on a continued ladder of progression en route to Formula One. Our close relationship with Dams enables us to give our drivers this kind of opportunity. We’re also working on a similar deal within the UK, the details of which will hopefully be announced soon.”
For all the latest Formula Renault UK Championship with Michelin news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk built bt Racecar
