Teams evaluate 2009 drivers

Jenzer Motorsport was first to start, with three drivers on track at Hockenheim on 27 October followed by Spa Francorchamps the next day. 2008 Formula Master driver Tomas Pivoda was joined by Norwegian Pal Varhaug, this year's Italian Formula Renault Champion, and German Christopher Haase on both days, running without technical problems in low temperatures.

JD Motorsport and Pro Motorsport joined forces at the Hungaroring earlier this week (04-05 November) where temperatures reached 18°C despite a cloudy start. Monza podium finisher Mihai Marinescu drove for Pro Motorsport over the two days, joined by Italian Pietro Gandolfi on Wednesday, whilst JD Motorsport ran Formula Master race winners Sergey Afanasiev and Vladimir Arabadzhiev.

Yesterday marked the start of a two-day test in Imola with four Formula Master teams taking part. Trident Racing ran Dubai-based Ramez Azzam, who has previously driven in Euro Formula Renault and the Formula 3 South America driver Rodolpho Santos from Brazil.

Jenzer Motorsport continued its evaluation of new racer Pal Varhaug, with Fabio Leimer joining the team following his superb performance in the Indy Lights prize test in the United States.

Iris Project was also present with Swiss pair Simon Trummer and Formula Renault Suisse Champion Christopher Zanella as well as Italian Patrick Reiter, whilst Formula Master regular Filip Salaquarda tested for ISR alongside US Star Mazda driver Tom Gladdis.

Sharing the track with Formula 3 teams, the Formula Master racers were over 5 seconds faster with Fabio Leimer posting an overall fastest time of 1:37.677 on Friday afternoon.

Following the FIA World Motorsport Council's revision of the 2009 World Touring Car Championship calendar, next year's Formula Master schedule will now feature Imola, instead of Monza, for its Italian rounds on 19-20 September.

The Series' German rounds at Oschersleben are now confirmed and will take place on 5-6 September, preceded by two race weekends with the Formula 1 World Championship at the Hungaroring on 25-26 July and at Spa Francorchamps on 29-30 August.

For more information, please visit www.formulamaster.net  

· Two events with Formula 1

· Six event with WTCC

· Only series to partner two FIA world championships for all its rounds

· Eight events - 16 races

· Eight European destinations

· Both races broadcast on the Eurosport platform with Sunday races live on Eurosport International

· Test with the Honda Racing F1 team for the winner

· Formula Master Honda K20A engine (250 HP)

· Light-weight body (560 kg including driver)

· Magneti Marelli hydraulic gearbox control system with gearbox and clutch paddles

· Magneti Marelli ECU Marvel 8 (version 2008), which includes data acquisition

· First car in the world to secure 2008 FIA F3 homologation

· Control tyres by Yokohama

· 684,000 attending spectators

· 66 drivers - 23 countries

· Inaugural race at Valencia, Spain on 19 May 2007

· Youngest race winner Pablo Sanchez Lopez (MEX), Alan Racing

· 2007 Champion Jérôme D'Ambrosio (BEL), Cram Competition

· 2008 Champion Chris van der Drift (NZL), JD Motorsport

- Aurélie Donzelot -