LongShanx
03-28-2006, 01:47 AM
From Flagworld
F3000 is now perfectly placed alongside WTCC!" -Renato Melchioretto
Interview with Team Principal Renato Melchioretto
source: adm-motorsport.com
The platform of former Euro 3000 Championship, now F3000 International Masters, seems to be stronger than ever after series promotors from KSO have signed a contract with WTCC to partner the Touring Car World Championship. Team principal Renato Melchioretto, whose Milan based squad concluded their driver evaluation programme last week at Monza, talks about the upcoming season and about the future of Formula 3000:
Question: The F3000 International Masters series looks pretty promising this season, given that you will race alongside the big names of WTCC...
RM: "That's absolutely right and I think that this year will be valuable for every team and driver that is involved with this championship. What I appreciate the most is the fact that the F3000 International Masters will be covered by Eurosport, the leading sport channel in Europe. Our drivers will be in the limelights and they will be watched by the works teams of WTCC."
Question: "A lot has changed in the last couple of years and Formula 3000 is obviously not the official feeder series of Formula 1 anymore. So why does it still make sense for a young driver to compete in this championship?
RM: "There is no doubt: GP2 has become a very successful series, very professional promoted, and obviously the official feeder series of Formula 1. But you must not forget that only three years ago Gimmi Bruni managed to graduate up to Grand Prix racing from my team. And another two years earlier it was also good enough for Vitor Meira to becoming a successful Indy Racing League driver. By the way he is still there and has almost won the Indy 500 in 2005."
...you are trying to say, that F3000 is still an alternative for those who cannot afford to run in GP2?
Exactly and based on our new partnership with the Touring Car World Championship I am not concerned at all about the future of F3000. We are happy to be here as a cost effective route for drivers who want to bring themselves in good shape for Champ Car, IRL, A1 Grand Prix, GP2, WTCC and still for Formula 1, if they can suddenly raise the funds that are necessary to do that."
Question: ADM Motorsport have just completed a testing programme with Daniil Move, Luca Persiani, Maximilian Götz and Team Guidicis' David de Vilota. What about your impressions?
RM: "The potential is definitely there, as all four drivers felt comfortable with the car pretty quickly. De Vilota was an impressive second on day 2 and I guess with a little bit more track time Daniel and Maxi will be also competitive. Luca learned his lesson which is still positive as he has realised that as a rookie driver you have to trust your team who know exactly what set up changes will be positive and which ones won't."
Question: "With your wealth of experience in racing, including 10 years in Formula 1, it must be pretty easy for you to select a good driver from the average ones..."
RM: "Well, it is still satisfying for me to work with quick drivers and that hasn't changed since the the late 70ies when I worked with Nelson Piquet or Niki Lauda. Today a lot more money is involved in the sport, but from the sporting point of view the basics are still the same. How quick can a driver adapt to a new car, to a new track or changing weather conditions? What about his technical feedback? It is still a fascinating experience for me to join these kids on their way up and it makes me proud to see that a few have made a career in motorsport."
Question: Let's finish the interview with some very good news, as last years ADM driver Norbert Siedler has finally received the F3000 championship trophy from CSAI, 164 days after the final race at Monza...
RM: "We are very thankful to Mister Romano Fazio and CSAI for their decision that shows real sportsmenship. Although equal in points to his rival Max Busnelli Norbert deserves this title and I am also extremely proud of the entire team. We can now close this chapter and concentrate on our future. ADM has always been a strong force in Formula 3000 and we are trying our best to continue this tradition."
Thank you and good luck for the season!
F3000 is now perfectly placed alongside WTCC!" -Renato Melchioretto
Interview with Team Principal Renato Melchioretto
source: adm-motorsport.com
The platform of former Euro 3000 Championship, now F3000 International Masters, seems to be stronger than ever after series promotors from KSO have signed a contract with WTCC to partner the Touring Car World Championship. Team principal Renato Melchioretto, whose Milan based squad concluded their driver evaluation programme last week at Monza, talks about the upcoming season and about the future of Formula 3000:
Question: The F3000 International Masters series looks pretty promising this season, given that you will race alongside the big names of WTCC...
RM: "That's absolutely right and I think that this year will be valuable for every team and driver that is involved with this championship. What I appreciate the most is the fact that the F3000 International Masters will be covered by Eurosport, the leading sport channel in Europe. Our drivers will be in the limelights and they will be watched by the works teams of WTCC."
Question: "A lot has changed in the last couple of years and Formula 3000 is obviously not the official feeder series of Formula 1 anymore. So why does it still make sense for a young driver to compete in this championship?
RM: "There is no doubt: GP2 has become a very successful series, very professional promoted, and obviously the official feeder series of Formula 1. But you must not forget that only three years ago Gimmi Bruni managed to graduate up to Grand Prix racing from my team. And another two years earlier it was also good enough for Vitor Meira to becoming a successful Indy Racing League driver. By the way he is still there and has almost won the Indy 500 in 2005."
...you are trying to say, that F3000 is still an alternative for those who cannot afford to run in GP2?
Exactly and based on our new partnership with the Touring Car World Championship I am not concerned at all about the future of F3000. We are happy to be here as a cost effective route for drivers who want to bring themselves in good shape for Champ Car, IRL, A1 Grand Prix, GP2, WTCC and still for Formula 1, if they can suddenly raise the funds that are necessary to do that."
Question: ADM Motorsport have just completed a testing programme with Daniil Move, Luca Persiani, Maximilian Götz and Team Guidicis' David de Vilota. What about your impressions?
RM: "The potential is definitely there, as all four drivers felt comfortable with the car pretty quickly. De Vilota was an impressive second on day 2 and I guess with a little bit more track time Daniel and Maxi will be also competitive. Luca learned his lesson which is still positive as he has realised that as a rookie driver you have to trust your team who know exactly what set up changes will be positive and which ones won't."
Question: "With your wealth of experience in racing, including 10 years in Formula 1, it must be pretty easy for you to select a good driver from the average ones..."
RM: "Well, it is still satisfying for me to work with quick drivers and that hasn't changed since the the late 70ies when I worked with Nelson Piquet or Niki Lauda. Today a lot more money is involved in the sport, but from the sporting point of view the basics are still the same. How quick can a driver adapt to a new car, to a new track or changing weather conditions? What about his technical feedback? It is still a fascinating experience for me to join these kids on their way up and it makes me proud to see that a few have made a career in motorsport."
Question: Let's finish the interview with some very good news, as last years ADM driver Norbert Siedler has finally received the F3000 championship trophy from CSAI, 164 days after the final race at Monza...
RM: "We are very thankful to Mister Romano Fazio and CSAI for their decision that shows real sportsmenship. Although equal in points to his rival Max Busnelli Norbert deserves this title and I am also extremely proud of the entire team. We can now close this chapter and concentrate on our future. ADM has always been a strong force in Formula 3000 and we are trying our best to continue this tradition."
Thank you and good luck for the season!