Australian Joey Mawson recorded a strong fourth placing during his debut in the Euroformula Open Series in Barcelona, Spain on Sunday.

After receiving a late call up from the BVM Racing outfit, the PODIUM-backed driver showed tremendous poise throughout the event.

Despite not having worked with the team previously, or driven on the Michelin tyres used in the event, Mawson finished the final race of the weekend in fourth.

“Overall it was a good weekend. It was rounded out with a strong fourth position which was a very good result for the team considering they hadn’t scored any points all year,” said Mawson.

“It has been a great experience as the team was very much an open book and allowed me to engineer the car to ensure that we got the most out of it. I learnt a lot.

“I felt as though I continually improved across the weekend and to end up just off the podium is a very good result with everything considered.”

After posting times consistently inside the top ten during practice, Mawson qualified eighth for the opening race before coming together with Cameron Das on the straight which put a premature end to both of their races.

Mawson qualified fifth for the second race, less than two-tenths behind the fastest qualifier, before slotting into fourth place exiting the opening turn. After challenging for third in the opening laps, he would be forced to fend of challenges from behind in the middle section of the race before crossing the line fourth.

Carlin Motorsport’s Devlin De Francesco and RP Motorsport guest driver Felipe Drugovich won the two races. Drugovich was in the championship-winning car of Harrison Scott who dominated the 2017 Series winning 12 of 14 races.

Australian Joey Mawson has received a last minute call-up to compete at the final round of Euroformula Open in Barcelona, Spain this weekend.

Mawson will climb aboard a car prepared by BVM Racing for the one-off appearance.

“It’s been a very last minute and unexpected drive this weekend.  It’s been a little bit of a different week to what I expected at the start of it but it’s all very exciting,” said the PODIUM-backed driver.

“The team I’m with has had a very tough year, they’ve asked me to come along and help them out at the final round.

“I’ll be aiming to work with the team and my engineer, who I know from when I did the MRF Challenge, to get some points on the board for them.”

The Euroformula Open cars are similar to what Mawson has been competing aboard throughout 2017 in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, however, there are some differences that he will need to adapt quickly to.

“The Euroformula cars have a different tyre and engine package to what I’ve been driving this year, so I will need to adapt to it quickly to ensure that I give myself the best opportunity at a good result,” said Mawson.

“I’ve tested previously at Barcelona but never raced here. I’m really looking forward to the challenge but the main thing is that I’m staying race sharp.”

Mawson will be a part of a private test today (Thursday) ahead of Official Practice tomorrow at 10:05am local time. A qualifying session will be held ahead of a 17-lap race on each day on the weekend.

A full timetable can be found by clicking here with live timing available here.

Australian Joey Mawson recorded his 14th top ten finish in the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship finale at Hockenheim in Germany on Sunday.

The PODIUM-backed driver crossed the line ninth in the final race of the weekend to be classified as the second-placed Rookie driver in the field.

The result ensured that it was the 16th time Mawson enjoyed the spoils on the Rookie podium throughout his 2017 campaign.

“Overall, it was a tough weekend to finish the Championship off with but it was good to get a couple of points in the final race,” said Mawson.

“I had some good speed early in practice but then we didn’t get qualifying right and had to start all three races from outside the top ten. I fought hard all weekend and eventually this paid off with a finish inside the points.”

Mawson paid tribute to the high-level of competition in the Championship and the team at PODIUM who provided him the opportunity to compete in the 2017 Championship.

“To be able to race against such high quality drivers in this amazing Championship has been an incredible experience,” said Mawson.

“Many people have said that the talent in this year’s Championship is the highest they’ve seen for a number of years and I’ve been privileged to be a part of it.

“None of this would have been possible without the support of the team at PODIUM, to everyone involved – a heartfelt thank you.”

McLaren Formula 1 Junior driver Lando Norris won the Championship ahead of Joel Eriksson and Maximilian Günther.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After Round 10 of 10)
1. Lando Norris – 441 points
2. Joel Eriksson – 388
3. Maximilian Günther – 383
4. Callum Ilott – 344
5. Jake Hughes – 207
6. Jehan Daruvala – 191
7. Ferdinand Habsburg – 186
8. Guanyu Zhou – 149
9. Ralf Aron – 123
10. Nikita Mazepin – 108
13. Joey Mawson – 83

Australian Joey Mawson will aim to finish his 2017 campaign on a high when he takes to the Hockenheim circuit in Germany for the final round of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship.

The PODIUM-backed driver has showed some impressive speed over the recent events – a trend that Mawson is focused on continuing this weekend.

Having enjoyed success at Hockenheim previously, coupled with the impressive results by Van Amersfoort Racing’s in the past, Mawson is ready for the final challenge of his 2017 Championship campaign.

“I’ve had another really good preparation for this weekend and I really can’t wait to get on the track at Hockenheim,” said Mawson.

“The year has gone so fast and I’ve learnt so much in my first year in the Formula 3 Championship. I’m really focused on taking everything I’ve learnt and get a good result to sign the season off.

“As for the circuit itself, it is one that I really enjoy and has also been good for the Van Amersfoort team in the past. It has got a good combination of fast, medium and slow speed corners which makes passing very possible – this should create some good racing.”

In a slight change to the schedule from the previous rounds, Mawson will contest practice and qualifying for all three races on Friday. He’ll then line up for a pair of races on Saturday ahead of the final race of the year on Sunday at 10:55am.  This weekend’s round is once again held alongside the popular DTM Championship.

Australian Joey Mawson showed true fighting spirit during the penultimate round of the 2017 FIA European Formula 3 Championship at the Red Bull Ring in Austria.

After being among the pacesetters in the two practice sessions (2nd and 4th fastest), qualifying didn’t quite hit the marks leaving the PODIUM-backed driver starting mid-pack for all three races.

In the opening race Mawson got shuffled wide on the opening lap, a few laps later he ran wide causing a large amount of grass to be lodged in his front wing. After being forced to pit to change his front wing, Mawson returned to the circuit only to be hit by Petru Florescu causing a puncture on the last lap. He was classified 18th.

Starting from 13th for Race Two, Mawson made a solid start to be move into tenth place on the opening lap. He then pressured Maximilian Gunther, who is currently second in the Championship, throughout the journey.

When two drivers ahead of him made mistakes on the last lap, Mawson took advantage and was classified eighth in the final standings.

Race Three was the highlight of the weekend for Mawson and where he showed his true class. After starting 11th, the Van Amersfoort Racing pilot scythed his way through the field to find himself in sixth spot by mid race.

When Championship leader Lando Norris and Ralf Aron crashed out on the final lap, Mawson crossed the line fourth.

Unfortunately, Mawson was one of three drivers that Officials elected to penalise for exceeding track limits while attempting to avoid contact at turn one on the opening lap – a post-race penalty that is rarely applied. He was eventually classified seventh.

“Overall, it was a solid weekend, I’m really happy with the way it ended in the final race crossing the line fourth,” said Mawson.

“I made a fantastic start and then focused on putting in some good lap times while making some overtaking moves. I feel as though it was probably one of my best races of the year.

“From the practice onwards I was always the fastest VAR car, so that was another positive. It is nice to head into the final round with another good result under our belt, now we’ll look to finish on a high at Hockenheim.”

The final event in the 10-round Championship will be held in three weeks time (Oct 13-15) at Hockenheim in Germany.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After Round 9 of 10)
1. Lando Norris – 411 points
2. Maximilian Günther – 339
3. Joel Eriksson – 333
4. Callum Ilott – 297
5. Jake Hughes – 193
6. Jehan Daruvala – 177
7. Ferdinand Habsburg – 171
8. Guanyu Zhou – 119
9. Ralf Aron – 118
10. Harrison Newey – 106
13. Joey Mawson – 81

Australian Joey Mawson will be aiming to continue his good momentum when the 2017 FIA European Formula 3 Championship continues in Austria this weekend.

Buoyed in confidence following his maiden podium at the last round, the PODIUM-backed driver heads to the Red Bull Ring will his sights firmly set on more celebrations.

“To get on the podium for the first time meant a lot to me, my team, everyone at PODIUM and all of the people who have supported me on this journey,” said Mawson.

“The first goal of the year was to achieve a podium, it was well overdue, so it felt great to get the ‘monkey off my back’.”

Mawson enjoyed success at the 4.326km circuit on two occasions during his German Formula 4 Championship campaigns with victories in both 2015 and 2016. It is these achievements that provide the Van Amersfoort Racing pilot with an extra boost entering the penultimate round of his 2017 campaign.

“The Red Bull Ring only has eight corners, it sounds easy but it’s far from that. Generally the times are very close, so it comes down to every little detail,” said Mawson.

“I think qualifying will be decided by hundredths of a second rather than tenths, so having everything perfect is going to be the key to success this weekend.

“It is a very enjoyable track and probably the best facilities of any track that I’ve been to in my career. I’m really looking forward to heading back there this weekend.”

With this weekend’s round being held alongside the DTM Championship, Mawson will take to the circuit on Friday afternoon for practice ahead of qualifying for Race One. The opening race will be contested on Saturday morning before qualifying for Races Two and Three is held in the afternoon. A pair of races highlights Sunday.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Local Time

Friday September 22
1:10pm – 1:50pm Free Practice 1
1:55pm – 2:35pm Free Practice 2
5:35pm – 5:55pm Qualifying 1

Saturday September 23
10:40am – 11:15am Race 1
4:15pm – 4:35pm Qualifying 2/3

Sunday September 24
11:00am – 11:35am Race 2
4:55pm – 5:30pm Race 3

AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Friday September 22
9:10pm – 9:50pm Free Practice 1
9:55pm – 10:35pm Free Practice 2
1:35am (Sat) – 1:55am Qualifying 1

Saturday September 23
6:40pm – 7:15pm Race 1
12:15am (Sun) – 12:35am Qualifying 2/3

Sunday September 24
7:00pm – 7:35pm Race 2
12:55am (Mon) – 1:30am Race 3

Australian Joey Mawson has secured his maiden podium in the 2017 FIA European Formula 3 Championship at the Nürburgring in Germany.

The highlight for the PODIUM-backed driver came in the opening race of the weekend that started in very wet conditions.

After starting from eighth position on the grid, Mawson scythed his way up the order to be in fourth place during the opening laps.

He then passed Callum Ilott for third place, but as the circuit began to dry, Mawson didn’t quite have the pace of his rivals that were challenging from behind. Determined not to let his first podium slip from his grasp, Mawson fought gallantly over the closing stages to hold on and finish third.

Race Two was a lonely one for Mawson. After battling with his Van Amersfoort Racing team-mate Harrison Newey on the opening lap, Mawson slotted into seventh place.

With no challenges from behind, and unable to close in on sixth, he maintained this position until the chequered flag.

After once again starting from eighth position Mawson emerged from the opening lap of the final race in fourth.

Moments later Tadasuke Makino hit Mawson’s right rear wheel giving him a puncture, just as the safety car was deployed for two cars in the gravel. Mawson had to pit to replace the wheel putting him to the back of the queue behind the safety car.

He proceeded to work his way up the field from 20th and by lap 8, he was up to 15th behind Pedro Piquet and Mick Schumacher. While they were squabbling for position, Mawson passed them both before chasing down David Beckmann over the remaining laps.

On the penultimate lap, he saw an opportunity to pass but they touched causing damage to Mawson’s front wing, ending his race.

“We started the weekend off with an absolute high.  It was such a big relief. I was so happy for the team, everyone at PODIUM, along with everyone who has supported me throughout the year,” said Mawson.

“After my maiden podium in Race One, I had a satisfactory run in Race Two where seventh was the best I could do.

“In Race Three it was really unfortunate.  I was in fourth position on the opening lap and Makino slid into me and I got a puncture which meant that I had to pit.  After pitting I drove through the pack but unfortunately I got caught up in an incident that put me out of the race.

“The weekend was very positive, I really felt that I made a big step forward.  I look forward to finishing the year off with a bit of spark and getting some good results over the remaining six races.”

Lando Norris won two of the three races at the Nürburgring with Jake Hughes claiming the other.

Mawson’s next event will be at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on September 23-24.

Australian Joey Mawson will head to familiar territory for Round Eight of the 2017 FIA European Formula 3 Championship at the Nürburgring this weekend.

Having competed at the venue on two occasions as a part of the German Formula 4 Championship, the PODIUM-backed driver is looking forward to returning to the 3.629km circuit.

“It’s good to be heading back to a circuit where I have competed at before. I finished on the podium in the Formula 4, hopefully I can replicate that in the Formula 3 this weekend,” said Mawson.

“We haven’t done any tests there in the Formula 3 car, but I know the circuit and we have done a lot of preparation in the workshop to provide us with the best opportunity and a good result.”

With the circuit being one of the tightest on the schedule, Mawson believes it is one that should suit the Van Amersfoort Racing outfit.

“We’ve struggled this year to get the most out of the car on the high-speed circuits, but have been pretty good on some of the tighter circuits,” said Mawson.

“I’m continually learning on how to improve my driving and the team is continually working hard to improve the set-up of the car. We’re not far off but in this Championship every little bit counts.

“The track is notoriously hard on brakes, so that is something we’ll need to keep in mind. Because it is quite a short lap, there are limited passing opportunities, so qualifying well will again be very  important.”

This weekend’s event will be contested alongside a round of the DTM Championship. Practice for the Formula 3 drivers will be contested on Friday from 11:45am ahead of qualifying for Race One at 5:50pm local time. Saturday will feature Race One in the morning, and qualifying for Races Two and Three in the afternoon. Two races, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will highlight Sunday.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

LOCAL TIME
Friday September 8
11:45pm – 12:25pm Free Practice 1
12:30pm – 2:10pm Free Practice 2
5:50pm – 6:10pm Qualifying 1

Saturday September 9
10:45am – 11:20am Race 1
5:45pm – 6:05pm Qualifying 2/3

Sunday September 10
11:05am – 11:40am Race 2
4:55pm – 5:30pm Race 3

AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Friday September 8
7:45pm – 8:25pm Free Practice 1
8:30pm – 9:10pm Free Practice 2
1:50am (Sat) – 2:10am Qualifying 1

Saturday September 9
6:45pm – 7:20pm Race 1
1:45am (Sun) – 2:05am Qualifying 2/3

Sunday September 10
7:05pm – 7:40pm Race 2
12:55am (Mon) – 1:30am Race 3

Australian Joey Mawson showed fighting spirit during Round Seven of the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands.

After battling engine issues early in the weekend, the PODIUM-backed driver fought gallantly to overcome his lowly qualifying positions during each of the three races.

The highlight of the weekend came in Race Three for Mawson. After carding a pair of 14th place finishes in the opening two races, the Australian was engaged in a titanic battle that involved nine cars running nose-to-tail for the majority of the race.

Mawson started the final encounter 12th and quickly set his sights on recording a finish inside the championship points. On a circuit that had limited passing opportunities, Mawson made the most of any opening that led him to record a ninth place finish.

The result was Mawson’s ninth top ten finish of 2017 and the tenth time he has finished on the podium in the Rookie Championship.

“After a very challenging start to the weekend it was good to finish on a positive note with a points finish in the final race,” said Mawson.

“We found an issue with the engine after qualifying which meant that we had to change engines leading to a grid penalty for Race One. From there the focus for the remainder of the weekend was on trying to move up the order as much as what we could.

“The final race of the weekend was the only one that we didn’t have some sort of an issue in and I was able to get a decent result as a consequence. I had some good battles in a train of cars and it was pleasing to be able to get some points in the end.

“We’re still not where we want to be as a team but I feel as though we made some improvements across the weekend. We’ll now focus on finishing the year on a high over the remaining three events.”

McLaren Formula 1 Junior Driver Lando Norris won two of the three races contested across the weekend to move into the Championship lead with three rounds remaining.

The next event on the FIA Formula 3 European Championship schedule is at the Nürburgring on September 8-10.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
(After Round 7 of 10)
1. Lando Norris – 313 points
2. Maximilian Günther – 302
3. Joel Eriksson – 258
4. Callum Ilott – 221
5. Jehan Daruvala – 140
6. Jake Hughes – 132
7. Ferdinand Habsburg – 131
8. Guanyu Zhou – 115
9. Harrison Newey – 94
10. Ralf Aron – 85
14. Joey Mawson – 50

Australian Joey Mawson will gear up for the next challenge in the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the Zandvoort circuit in the Netherlands this weekend.

With the PODIUM-backed driver residing less than an hour from the circuit, this weekend’s round is a ‘home’ round for him and the Van Amersfoort Racing team.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to have a home round for the team and have the track only 55 minutes from the team base,” said Mawson.

“The Zandvoort round is very important for everyone in the team as we pretty much have every employee coming out to show their support across the weekend.”

While it may be the closest circuit to Mawson’s base, the strict testing restrictions means that he has only driven on the circuit on three occasions since moving to Europe three years ago.

“I have only driven at Zandvoort on three occasions, two of which has been test days in the wet and then one race weekend, but it’s probably my second favourite circuit on the calendar.  It’s a very old school type of track,” said Mawson.

“It’s very fast and we run a high downforce set-up which is really noticeable in the high-speed corners. Having so many high-speed corners is always challenging because there is no room for error, but this always separates the drivers a bit more.

“Overtaking is very difficult, it’s probably the hardest circuit that we compete at to overtake on – even harder than Pau or Hungary. Qualifying well will go a long way towards a successful weekend.

“Hopefully the weather is good so we can have a really good atmosphere around the place and we can enjoy some good results.”

This weekend’s event will be contested alongside a round of the DTM Championship. Practice for the Formula 3 drivers will be contested on Friday from 12:30pm ahead of qualifying for Race One at 5:50pm local time. Saturday will feature Race One in the morning and qualifying for Races Two and Three in the afternoon. Two races, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, will highlight Sunday.