rtl-gp-masters-of-formula3-zolder-jon-lancaster-british-drivers

Rising British star Jon Lancaster bids to become the best Formula 3 driver in Europe when he takes on the cream of the European competition at this weekend’s RTL GP Masters of Formula 3 in Zolder. The non-championship event attracts the top young drivers from across the continent all eager to follow in the wheel tracks of some of the past winners.

The first Masters of Formula 3 race was held in 1991 and won by one David Coulthard. Since then, the prestigious title has been held by only four other British drivers including Lewis Hamilton in his championship-winning 2005 season. This year Jon starts as one of the favourites to uphold British honours but looks to the event as a challenge rather than a pressure.

"I like one-off events like this. In some ways there’s a lot less pressure on a driver than when you’re competing in a championship as there are no points at stake, it’s a straight shoot-out for victory. I’ll push as hard as I can in qualifying to try and get a good grid position and in the race I’ll be going all out for victory. There is only one winner at the Masters and I think I have as good a chance as any to come home with that trophy."

The Masters of Formula 3 pits the best of European competition against the best of British but with all drivers running on Kumho tyres, those utilised in the Euroseries, success has often gone the way of the European runners. This year though it is expected that the compound of tyre used for the Masters of F3 will be more suitable for both as the organisers bid to make the race more equal.

For 19 year-old Jon, he doesn’t see this as being a problem and remains confident of just having the edge over his British rivals. "I understand Kumho are producing a new compound for the weekend which should equalise things. However, I’m pretty sure they will still favour the Euroseries runners as we’re all used to competing on that tyre," said Jon.

"But this weekend will not just be about who has the advantage with the rubber we use. The event attracts the best drivers in Europe, so in addition to the Euroseries drivers, we’ll also be competing against some of the best British runners.

"Most of them are already race winners in the UK series and so of course they’ll be quick and the competition will be fierce. Probably one of the strongest challenges from the domestic championship will be Brendon Hartley; he was fourth there last year and has a lot of experience."

The BRDC Superstar, in only his second season out of karts and in his first year in F3, recently took his first ever F3 win in Germany with a faultless lights to flag performance. Buoyed by that result, the Multiflight-back teenager heads to Belgium full of confidence and insists he will treat it just like any other race.

"The Masters of Formula 3 is the race that every F3 driver wants to win. But at the end of the day, it’s just another motor race. We’ve had the pace pretty much all season and I know the circuit so I think I have a good chance to come away with a strong result. The ART Grand Prix team has worked hard to give me a great car all season and I’ve got the pace and the confidence to know victory is possible."

Jon will fly out to Belgium today (Thursday) and take part in two one-hour free practice sessions scheduled to start at 13.05 and 15.15 on Friday. On Saturday morning, there will be two pre-qualifying sessions, split into odd and even numbers which will determine groups for the qualifying in the afternoon. The RTL GP Masters of F3 race will take place at 14.00 on Sunday.

www.jonlancasterracing.com

- Cathy Metcalfe-

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