Australian Joey Mawson is ready for the next step in his flourishing career when he tackles the opening round of the 2017 FIA Formula 3 European Championship this weekend.
The season opener, to be contested at the famous Silverstone circuit in England, will see the PODIUM-backed driver line up against 19 other young talented drivers from 11 countries – including his arch-rival from last year’s German F4 Championship Mick Schumacher.
“It’s a very exciting time for me as I head into my first weekend in Formula 3. It is a real dream to compete in this Championship,” said Mawson.
“Silverstone is a fantastic circuit, especially in a F3 car because it has a lot of downforce, but that also means passing is going to be difficult. While not impossible, it is certainly harder to pass in a Formula 3 car than it was in a Formula 4 car which means qualifying will be important.
“While pre-season testing went well, I know that a race weekend will see things go to another level. I’ll certainly be a ‘sponge’ to learn everything as quick as possible and get up to speed on an F3 race weekend.”
With the opening round being contested alongside a round of the World Endurance Championship, the event will be attended by one of the largest crowds of Mawson’s career thus far.
“Sharing it with the WEC is very exciting. It means that we are on a very big stage and there will be a lot of very influential people in the world of motorsport in attendance,” said Mawson.
“My aim for the weekend will be to finish all three races inside the top ten and achieve some good points towards the Championship.”
Mawson will take to the 5.9km circuit for the first time on Thursday afternoon for practice ahead of the opening qualifying session for 2017. Qualifying 1 will decide the grid for the opening race, while Saturday’s second qualifying session will determine for Race Two. The grid for the final race is decided by a driver’s second fastest lap times in Qualifying 2. All races will be 33 minutes plus one lap in duration.
In all three races contested on a race weekend, the Championship points for the 10 best-placed drivers are awarded according to the well known Formula 1 system.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
LOCAL TIME
Thursday April 13
12:20pm – 1:00pm Free Practice 1
1:05pm – 1:45pm Free Practice 2
5:40pm – 6:00pm Qualifying 1
Friday April 14
1:30pm – 1:50pm Qualifying 2
3:55pm – 4:30pm Race 1
Saturday April 15
11:00am – 11:35am Race 2
Sunday April 16
9:00am – 9:35am Race 3
AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Thursday April 13
9:20pm – 10:00pm Free Practice 1
10:05pm – 10:45pm Free Practice 2
(Fri) 2:40am – 3:00am Qualifying 1
Friday April 14
10:30pm – 10:50pm Qualifying 2
(Sat) 12:55am – 1:30am Race 1
Saturday April 15
8:00pm – 8:35pm Race 2
Sunday April 16
6:00pm – 6:35pm Race 3