FIA Formula Three European Championship kicks off in France

Following a long off season the FIA Formula Three European Championship will burst back in to action as the Paul Ricard circuit in France welcomes Carlin for the opening of what is expected to be another thrilling season. The hotly contested series has been one to watch and for the opening round of the 2016 season Carlin will field a total of four cars with Ryan Tveter making a welcome return to the team for his second year in the series. Tveter will be joined by Italian racer Alessio Lorandi, Peter Li Zhi Cong, who raced for the team’s British F3 line up in 2013/14, and South African Raoul Hyman.

Carlin, who enjoyed a strong season in the 2015 FIA Formula Three European Championship with Vice Champion Antonio Giovinazzi, will be back in action for a new season which will see a total of 30 races across ten fantastic European circuits including the historic Pau Grand Prix.

Pre-season testing complete, it is now time for Tveter, Lorandi, Li Zhi Cong and Hyman to hit the track in earnest at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France. At 3.8km the circuit is known for its long Mistral straight which will attract high top speeds from the Carlin Volkswagen Dallara Formula Three car before making their way around the rest of the challenging lap.

Looking forward to his second season with the team Tveter said, “This is going to be my second season of racing with the team and I’m very keen to get it started. Testing has gone well and the winter prep has been strong too so we’re feeling pretty good as the new season approaches. The aim for this weekend is to push hard for those results – we know qualifying is always very important so that will be our main focus on Friday before the races.”

Italian racer Lorandi added about the season opener, “I’m feeling good and feeling confident about the upcoming race. We’ve spent the winter preparing both on and off track so we’re looking forward to pushing and getting the weekend underway. Of course qualifying will be very important here so that’s a focus for us but I’m excited, motivated and more than ready to get out on track.”

Li Zhi Cong commented, “I’m really excited to get back on track for the first round of the season here in Paul Ricard. We have one more day of testing today before the weekend gets underway properly so we’ll be making sure to maximise everything ahead of what is always a really tight qualifying in the FIA Formula Three European Championship. We’ve worked hard in pre-season testing and we’re feeling good for the 2016 season.”

Ahead of the first round Hyman said, “I’m really looking forward to getting the racing season started here in Paul Ricard. Our form in pre-season testing has been strong which gives me a lot of confidence ahead of the first round of the FIA Formula Three European season. My aim as always is to get on the podium or take the win – that’s what we always aim for ahead of every race weekend.”

With the final pre-season complete, the weekend will get underway in earnest on Friday with two practice sessions and two qualifying shoot outs before three races over the course of Saturday and Sunday.