Mitchell Gilbert goes for German Formula 3 in 2012 07.12.2011: Australian driver Mitchell Gilbert has signed to race in the German Formula Three Championship in 2012. The Richmond based racer will drive for Silverstone's

Australian driver Mitchell Gilbert has signed to race in the German Formula Three Championship in 2012. The Richmond based racer will drive for Silverstone's Performance Racing team, following a successful test at Snetterton in Norfolk last week.


The move into the higher profile, more technically advanced German F3 series, puts the 17-year-old Trendworld backed youngster another step up the motorsport ladder, following in the footsteps of seven-time Formula One World Champion, Michael Schumacher, who won the series in 1990.


A series of podium results helped Mitchell claim fifth place in the final standings of the Certina UK Formula Renault Championship this season. He picked up his first race win and narrowly missed out on taking his first pole-position during 2011. However, his experience and speed improved as the year went on and after testing the F3 car, he feels he is more than ready to make the step up.


“The F3 car is awesome!” He says. “It's a massive step up from the Formula Renault this year. So much more grip and the speed you can take through the corners is just incredible. The mindset required for the jump from Renault to F3 is a lot different. I can't wait for the new season to start, it's only a short four months to go!” He added.


The Performance Racing squad, which is based at the British Grand Prix venue of Silverstone, has a reputation for looking after young drivers and giving them the equipment to do the best job possible. After just a single test with the team, Mitchell knew it was where he wanted to be in 2012.


“It's pretty surprising we've got the opportunity to move up into F3 to be honest,” adds Mitchell. “The team has a really good atmosphere and the owner really gets involved with everything. There really is a family feeling and after that first test I knew that I wanted to race with them,” he says.


The German F3 Championship has produced some of the biggest names in motorsport over the last two decades. Drivers including 1990 champion Schumacher and his '91 successor, multiple Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, have dominated their respective areas of racing at the highest level. Other drivers, such as Jarno Trulli and Nick Heidfeld, also came through the series and Mitchell is keen to make his mark too.


“The German series is really competitive and there are some fantastic benefits. For instance, the fastest driver/team on the grid has to share their data with the rest of the field at each round. It means there's nowhere to hide. There's a lot of testing, much more than the British F3 Championship, which I'll benefit from.”


Despite the long wait before his racing season kicks of next year, Mitchell won't be sitting still. Five days of testing at the Spanish circuit of Valencia is already booked for next week, starting his 2012 preparation early.


“The German Championship will use the 2008 model Dallara chassis next season, which is what the British teams have been using for a few years. They will have all of the latest updates and we have a new engine too. It will all be new to the team and me, so it's going to be a big learning curve for us both next week.” Says Mitchell.


“But, it will allow me to develop more as a driver and move me forward, which is exactly what I want to be doing every time I take to the track. I think with a good amount of testing behind me there's no reason why I can't go out there and challenge for the title next year,” he adds.


After his final test, Mitch will be heading to Malaysia to see family over the Christmas break. He arrives back in the UK just in time for the Autosport International Show in January.





About Performance Racing Performance Racing was founded in Sweden 1999 and has its base at the famous Silverstone Circuit. Our mission is to empower young talented drivers. To guide, support and educate our drivers so they can reach their ultimate goal. Performance Racing has since 2001 successfully competed in the British Formula 3 and since 2008 in the German Formula 3 series. Performance Racing has also been active in A1GP, The World Cup of Motorsport between 2006 and 2009.



Bobby Issazadhe-  photo Performance Racing