Rounds 5 and 6 - Spa-FrancorchampsSpa. After many years, the legendary racing circuit of Spa-Francorchamps makes its comeback as the venue of a Formula BMW ADAC race. When the 26 young drivers hit the Belgian track this weekend (13th to 15th May 2005) they will have to summon up some courage, for the hilly circuit in the Ardennes that boasts motor racing's most notorious sequence of turns - the Eau Rouge - presents drivers with a particularly tough challenge. In order to keep everything under control during the race, the drivers turn to some unusual methods.
"I'm always very focused on a race track," explains Sergio Perez Mendoza (4speed Media) of Mexico, just 15. "But I also look forward to a little divine help." The youngest participant in the series has attached a postcard-sized picture of Jesus to the right of his shift lever. He was given this consecrated image by his mother Lourdes. "Whenever I'm successful, my parents make a two-hour journey to a church in Tanhuato Michoacan and give thanks," reveals the number three in the Rookie Championship.
Italian driver Fabio Onidi (Eifelland Racing) also relies on a guardian angel in his cockpit. Next to his steering wheel is a small metal plaque of Padre Pio, the Italian Capuchin friar who was canonised in 2002. Concealed from prying eyes, a gold cross can be found inside the car of Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg), currently in second place in the championship. "It's to protect him," says a mechanic. Attached to the cockpit of Tobias Hegewald's car (Waldbreitbach/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg) is a sketch of the circuit. "The sketch is so that I can explain to the engineer during set-up work exactly where there are problems," says the driver from the Rhineland-Palatinate. But not even Hegewald can manage without a few positive vibes. In the corner of the windscreen is a sticker that says "Good luck, Tobi".
When important information appears on the steering wheel display while the car is moving - such as the operating temperature, lap times and current gear selection - great concentration is essential. Three-times race winner and championship leader Nicolas Hülkenberg (Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing) has added an extra snippet of information. On his steering wheel is a note with the reminder to "Leave more time for downshifting." "I get annoyed at my mistakes," explains the 17-year-old from North Rhine-Westphalia. "The note helps me improve my technique on the race track."
Championship standings after 4 out of 20 races (top 5): 1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (GER, Emmerich/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 75), 2. Sébastien Buemi (CHE/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 55), 3. Nick de Bruijn (NLD/Josef Kaufmann Racing, 31), 4. Chris van der Drift (NLD/Team Rosberg, 26), 5. João Urbano (POR/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 22).
Points Rookie Championship (top 5): 1. Nicolas Hülkenberg (80), 2. Nick de Bruijn (45), 3. Sergio Perez Mendoza (MEX/4speed Media, 37), 4. Martin Ragginger (AUT/ADAC Berlin-Brandenburg, 36), 5. Stefano Coletti (MCO/Eifelland Racing, 32).
Background:Formula BMW is the world's leading entry-level class in Formula racing. In 2005 the series will be held in Germany, Britain, Asia and the USA. Up-and-coming drivers as young as 15-years-old are given the opportunity of entering motor racing with the high-tech, standard FB02 race car.
This racing car has been seen on the grid since 2002 and has set standards particularly on the safety technology front. The single-seater is propelled by a 140 bhp BMW engine up to 230km/h and exceeds by far the safety requirements for its class. BMW Motorsport has developed the FORS Formula Rescue Race Seat especially for Formula BMW. The HANS safety system is also mandatory.
In 2005, Formula BMW will be staged five times as part of the Formula One support programme. All the series offer a multifaceted Education and Coaching Programme as well as sponsorship for promising racing talents. The best-known alumni of this talent hothouse are Formula One drivers Ralf Schumacher and Christian Klien.
BMW Motorsport Director, Mario Theissen: "Formula BMW offers talented young drivers more than just a car. In the Education and Coaching Programme we have designed specially for them, they learn everything they need to know to hold their own in the big wide world of motor racing. Formula BMW has shot out of the blocks to become the top entry-level class for Formula racing worldwide."
In December 2005 the Bahrain International Circuit will host the first Formula BMW World Final. Young racing drivers from the four regional Formula BMW series will compete against each other. The winner will get the chance to test a BMW WilliamsF1 Team car.
