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Formula Renault 3.5 Series - 2012


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#1 Lotusseven

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Posted 17 October 2011 - 18:16

Here is a list of 13 teams...

Arden
BVM Target
Carlin
Charouz
Comtec
Dams
Draco
Fortec
ISR
KMP
P1
Pons
Tech 1

Reserves
Koiranen
Epic
allowed teams now have until Jan. 15 to meet their contractual obligations to ensure their participation in the championship.
If this does not happen, the reserves would fall into play.


italiaracing.net


Kevin Magnussen confirmed for Carlin Racing

Entry list - Wiki



Edited by Lotusseven, 08 December 2011 - 17:42.


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#2 HistoryFan

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Posted 18 October 2011 - 07:23

Surprised that Epic will not compete in 2012 (as they are themself). They are race winner...Why Epic out, but teams like Comtec in?

#3 Crafty

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Posted 19 October 2011 - 17:21

Dean Stoneman who you may recall was due to drive for ISR this year but sadly had to drop out due to illness has completed his treatment and is back in training for a 2012 drive.

I believe the deal was ISR would hold a seat for him in 2012 ? not totally sure on that.

I hope he does get to the grid, I think there is some talent there, although he might need a couple of races to settle in after not driving for a year.

#4 Lotusseven

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Posted 24 November 2011 - 14:37

Test dates 2012

13-14 march - Le Castellet
3-4 april - Barcelona
18-19 april - Alcaniz

italiaracing.net



#5 jamiegc

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Posted 24 November 2011 - 14:50

likely that Kvyat & Sainz will be moving up in 2012.

Sainz most likely to Carlin.

Edited by jamiegc, 24 November 2011 - 14:52.


#6 showtime

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Posted 24 November 2011 - 15:42

likely that Kvyat & Sainz will be moving up in 2012.

Sainz most likely to Carlin.


Sainz will not be with Carlin in Formula Renault but in British F3

#7 HistoryFan

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Posted 24 November 2011 - 18:58

Magnussen is fix at Carlin



#8 Crafty

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Posted 24 November 2011 - 19:53

Stoneman testing with ISR next week :up:

#9 Lotusseven

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Posted 06 December 2011 - 20:59

Lewis Williamson is confirmed for Arden, he will also join Red Bull Junior Team.

#10 Currahee

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Posted 06 December 2011 - 22:42

Lewis Williamson is confirmed for Arden, he will also join Red Bull Junior Team.


Excellent news for Lewis.

#11 HistoryFan

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 07:45

Who will also be Red Bull Juniors in 2012?

Carlos Sainz jr. => British F3 (Carlin)
Stefan Wackebauer => FR 2.0 (???)
Lewis Williamson => WSbR (Arden)
Daniel Ricciardo => TBA
Jean-Eric Vergne => TBA

#12 Lotusseven

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 08:05

Who will also be Red Bull Juniors in 2012?

Carlos Sainz jr. => British F3 (Carlin)
Stefan Wackebauer => FR 2.0 (???)
Lewis Williamson => WSbR (Arden)
Daniel Ricciardo => TBA
Jean-Eric Vergne => TBA


Daniil Kyvat ?


#13 ezequiel

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 13:59

I'm also surprised to see Epic as a reserve and a team like Pons, with worst performances and with difficulties to secure a second car full time on the grid, among the chosen ones.

#14 HistoryFan

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Posted 07 December 2011 - 14:04

Epic has not sure financial plans after they had to pay the liabilities from Epsilon Euskadi

Edited by HistoryFan, 07 December 2011 - 14:05.


#15 Lotusseven

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Posted 08 December 2011 - 17:40

@WSR_Live WSR Races Live
Swiss driver Zoel Amberg to make his debut in FR35 Series in 2012 with Pons Racing #FR35


I never heard about him.

#16 highdownforce

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 15:06

Brazilian driver Yann Cunha, 2010 F3 Sudam champion, signed with Pons Racing for two years.
http://tazio.uol.com...-temporada-364/

#17 HistoryFan

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 16:32

As Amberg did...

#18 Lotusseven

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 07:54

Jules Bianchi is in serious talks with some teams, mostly French according to italiaracing.net
Alexander Rossi is confirmed for Arden. (same source as above).

...and poor Albert Costa have problems autosport.com
hopefully he find a solution asap.

#19 d246

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 09:00

When is the first pre-season test scheduled for? Keen to see how Lewis Williamson performs. From memory, testing seems to be a strong point.

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#20 noikeee

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 09:32

Jules Bianchi is in serious talks with some teams, mostly French according to italiaracing.net


lolwut? Bit of a demotion there as he was able to fight for the GP2 title? :confused: Unless it's to combine a full season of racing with a friday practice F1 role (wasn't he rumoured to do that for Force India), because the WSR calendar allows that and GP2 doesn't.

...and poor Albert Costa have problems autosport.com
hopefully he find a solution asap.


Indeed, quality driver, would be a shame to see him sitting out. Him and Roberto Mehri make for a pretty promising spanish generation of drivers in my opinion.

#21 ferrarijon123

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 10:41

lolwut? Bit of a demotion there as he was able to fight for the GP2 title? :confused: Unless it's to combine a full season of racing with a friday practice F1 role (wasn't he rumoured to do that for Force India), because the WSR calendar allows that and GP2 doesn't.



Indeed, quality driver, would be a shame to see him sitting out. Him and Roberto Mehri make for a pretty promising spanish generation of drivers in my opinion.

Exactly i heard that Bianchi has signed for Dams but cant remember where i saw it. I could be a good move for him, get some experience on fridays for force india and mount a challenge for the WSR championship.

#22 Lontano

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 18:24

The problem with Costa is that he doesn't have the same backing as other people like Carlos Sainz Jr. or Jaime Alguersuari (who Costa beated soundly when they competed against each other). Would be a shame to see him sit out the season, he is F1 material.

Edited by Lontano, 27 January 2012 - 18:24.


#23 GTRacer

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 21:10

Let us not forget that this series will alsso run the atrocity known as DRS this season.

Quite why a lower category which is supposed to be about teachning the young drivers how to race needs such a gimmickey, artificial device I don't know especially since with a new car for 2012 they had a chance to actually design a car to encourage real racing without the need for gimmicks.

Due to DRS I don't even plan to watch this series this year.

#24 wewantourdarbyback

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Posted 27 January 2012 - 21:16

Quite why a lower category which is supposed to be about teachning the young drivers how to race needs such a gimmickey, artificial device


It just plain doesn't.

#25 0thecougar

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Posted 28 January 2012 - 07:40

What are the lap time differences between FR 3.5 and GP2?
It seems that FR 3.5 is making a challenge as the top feeder category?

#26 Mastah

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Posted 28 January 2012 - 08:13

GP2 car is 2-5 seconds faster.

#27 GTRacer

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Posted 28 January 2012 - 18:52

One of the biggest advantages GP2 has over FR 3.5 (Other than car performance) is that its the official F1 support series, This holds a couple advantages.

The drivers get to run on most of the F1 circuits so for the most part there not jumping into an F1 car on circuits they have never seen, There also around the F1 paddock so get to see how F1 teams work over an F1 weekend, This is even better for GP2 drivers already part of an F1 team as there able to spend time in the F1 garages listning to how engineer's work & how the F1 drivers give feedback about the car.

Something equally as important however is that F1 teams get to see the GP2 drivers for themselfs, They pay attention to the races & also talk to GP2 team personnel to find out exactly what a driver they may be intrested in is like to work with, What sort of feedback he gives & how good he is with car setup.


When we had unlimited testing it was easier for a driver to come from something like F3 or FR but with such limited running avaliable in F1 cars now stuff like this is crucial & this is why I can't see anything else taking over from GP2 in terms of been the main feeder series.

Edited by GTRacer, 28 January 2012 - 18:53.


#28 noikeee

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Posted 30 January 2012 - 18:09

Robin Frijns for Fortec. I've only just realized he added to his 2010 FBMW Europe title, the 2011 FR2.0 Eurocup - on his rookie year. That might be two very similar entry-level categories, but it's very impressive nonetheless.

The Autosport article mentions him as dutch, whereas the driverdb.com profile puts him as belgian - so which nationality does he race under?

#29 Zava

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Posted 30 January 2012 - 18:43

Robin Frijns for Fortec. I've only just realized he added to his 2010 FBMW Europe title, the 2011 FR2.0 Eurocup - on his rookie year. That might be two very similar entry-level categories, but it's very impressive nonetheless.

The Autosport article mentions him as dutch, whereas the driverdb.com profile puts him as belgian - so which nationality does he race under?

wsr homepage and wikipedia says he's dutch.
just checked the FR 2.0 results, never realized that Sainz jr (and Kvyat) dominated this much in the NEC. are we seeing him/them stepping up, or not yet?
edit: I should read topics before posting... so Sainz to british F3.

Edited by Zava, 30 January 2012 - 18:45.


#30 KoezhVukotic

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Posted 30 January 2012 - 21:56

One of the biggest advantages GP2 has over FR 3.5 (Other than car performance) is that its the official F1 support series, This holds a couple advantages.

The drivers get to run on most of the F1 circuits so for the most part there not jumping into an F1 car on circuits they have never seen, There also around the F1 paddock so get to see how F1 teams work over an F1 weekend, This is even better for GP2 drivers already part of an F1 team as there able to spend time in the F1 garages listning to how engineer's work & how the F1 drivers give feedback about the car.

Something equally as important however is that F1 teams get to see the GP2 drivers for themselfs, They pay attention to the races & also talk to GP2 team personnel to find out exactly what a driver they may be intrested in is like to work with, What sort of feedback he gives & how good he is with car setup.


When we had unlimited testing it was easier for a driver to come from something like F3 or FR but with such limited running avaliable in F1 cars now stuff like this is crucial & this is why I can't see anything else taking over from GP2 in terms of been the main feeder series.

But the downside is that they can't do any Friday running in GP2 whereas in WSR you are when the events don't clash. Which is why it is being rumored Bianchi will do WSR with Rossi, who may end up with some Friday drives as a Caterham development driver

#31 Mastah

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 08:32

Korjus and Bianchi confirmed at Tech 1, that's a very strong line-up.

#32 wrighty

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 10:16

Just a quick note to add that P1 have confirmed Walter Grubmuller Jr and Daniil Move as their 2012 drivers.......and Walter is now the equal-coolest race driver alive with Tim Sugden, as they are both racing F2 stockcars in their spare time :clap:
Walter is part of the new Stockcar Racing Austria series which is fronted by none other than Manfred Stohl and, after a couple of demonstration events in 2011 is moving forward to a 5-meeting series at the new shale circuit at Natschbach Loipersbach :) :up:

Edited by wrighty, 09 February 2012 - 10:17.


#33 jamiegc

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 10:24

Korjus and Bianchi confirmed at Tech 1, that's a very strong line-up.


Tech 1's parts bill just flew through the roof!

#34 Peat

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 10:54

Korjus will effectivley end Bianchi's career.

#35 noikeee

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 22:29

Korjus and Bianchi confirmed at Tech 1, that's a very strong line-up.


Absolutely. I expect very big things of this pairing.

#36 midgrid

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Posted 09 February 2012 - 23:48

This week's Autosport says that Bianchi and Sam Bird are both close to FR3.5 seats for this year. Bianchi down, Bird to follow soon?

#37 IceSkyrim

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 00:00

Felipe Nasr is about to decide among R3.5 or GP2.

He just finished 3rd in a Rilley Ford @ ALMS Daytona last week.

Also turned down a RedBull young driver program offer some years ago.

With Maktub and Mubadalla strong presence in F1, an arab descendent driver is a hot property.

#38 HaydenFan

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 01:23

Korjus will effectivley end Bianchi's career.


Agreed.

This series seems to be in more demand as the seats are nearly filled, while GP2 and GP3 still see over half the seats empty.

#39 Nustang70

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 04:00

Korjus will effectivley end Bianchi's career.


Wouldn't that be something. Between Korjus, Bianchi, Rossi, and Magnussen, this season should be pretty good.

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#40 Peat

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 07:50

FR3.5 presents far better value for money than GP2 at the moment.

GP2 has turned into a bit of a rich-kids creche.

#41 HaydenFan

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 13:45

FR3.5 presents far better value for money than GP2 at the moment.

GP2 has turned into a bit of a rich-kids creche.


Isn't that what killed F3000? Not enough talent, but a lot of people with big wallets.

#42 Nustang70

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 18:09

FR3.5 presents far better value for money than GP2 at the moment.

GP2 has turned into a bit of a rich-kids creche.



I think the main problem is that the GP2 race weekend schedule isn't feasible alongside F1 testing responsibilities. We've seen Bottas, Bianchi, and Van der Garde all opt for testing positions rather than GP2. That's a major problem--GP2 might be losing its position as the principal feeder and preparatory series for F1. Pirelli are now offering a prize to the GP3 champ, if the driver moves up to GP2 the next year. That speaks volumes.

#43 King Six

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 18:11

Good. I never liked the idea of GP2 being the feeder series of F1. The cars looked exactly like F1 cars, and the tyres are exactly the same too, the times weren't too different either. F1 needs to retain its exclusivity, and at the same time needs to have drivers from all backgrounds, not the same GP2 drivers who are all the same in every way, F1 could definitely diversify itself.

#44 Nustang70

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Posted 10 February 2012 - 19:51

Good. I never liked the idea of GP2 being the feeder series of F1. The cars looked exactly like F1 cars, and the tyres are exactly the same too, the times weren't too different either. F1 needs to retain its exclusivity, and at the same time needs to have drivers from all backgrounds, not the same GP2 drivers who are all the same in every way, F1 could definitely diversify itself.


Those are the conditions that make GP2 the ideal F1 preparatory ground. Whether it should be is another matter. If GP2 weren't designed to be a feeder into F1, what would it be? Almost no single seater series can stand alone as a series that isn't intended to feed into F1 (see A1, Superleague).

You want drivers with a diversity of backgrounds, but how do we go about accomplishing that? All OW series bar F1 rely heavily on personal sponsorship--even Indycar.

#45 highdownforce

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 18:46

Lucas Foresti signs with DAMS for the 2012 season.
The Brazilian British F3 race winner will join Arthur Pic in the team.

Posted Image

http://grandepremio....s 10544714.html

Edited by highdownforce, 15 February 2012 - 18:47.


#46 HistoryFan

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 20:25

Think this ones will be the title contender:

Alexander Rossi (Arden Caterham), Kevin Magnussen (Carlin), Arthur Pic (DAMS), Jules Bianchi and Kevin Korjus (both Tech 1).

#47 hammibal

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 21:20

Any news of Nasri?

#48 Nustang70

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 21:55

Think this ones will be the title contender:

Alexander Rossi (Arden Caterham), Kevin Magnussen (Carlin), Arthur Pic (DAMS), Jules Bianchi and Kevin Korjus (both Tech 1).


Plus, there is a new car this year so Rossi, Pic, and Korjus' prior experience in the series won't be as beneficial. This also ought to help the series' new teams get up to speed relative to the field more swiftly.

#49 HaydenFan

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 22:48

Plus, there is a new car this year so Rossi, Pic, and Korjus' prior experience in the series won't be as beneficial. This also ought to help the series' new teams get up to speed relative to the field more swiftly.



I think there experience will still be a bonus. It might be a new car, but for the most part the two cars are not much different. Same amount of power. In junior formula, that is the biggest factor.

#50 0thecougar

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Posted 15 February 2012 - 22:52

I'm ever so slightly biassed as he's a fellow countryman, but I think that Richie Stanaway will make a few waves this year-possibly even a decent shot at the title.
I realise there were few real challengers for his F3 title last year, but have been following him for 4 or 5 years now and he is definately one to watch.
Being under the lotus banner now should hopefully mean money isn't an object for this year so he can focus on driving.
Is there any confirmed tv coverage for this series? It's shaping up to be pretty bloody exciting with so many young chargers!