NEWS

ROCKINGHAM 4 SEPTEMBER 2011: Felipe Nasr is the 2011 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series Champion. The 19-year-old Brazilian this afternoon became the 12th of his countrymen to claim the crown, thanks to a measured drive to third place in the third race of the Rockingham weekend.

While his Carlin team-mate Kevin Magnussen celebrated the race win, and his fellow Brazilian Pietro Fantin was acclaimed for finishing second, Nasr’s smile was the widest on the Rockingham podium as he took in his achievement.

“It’s great,” said Nasr. “I still don’t quite get what it means… This feels like the end of a normal race for me! And yet I feel very happy. Grabbing the title early on here is just amazing. It’s been a lot of work, a lot of dedication from the team, and it’s very special.

“I know that many big names came from British Formula 3 and I am sure that I have done this step really well and now things are just going to get better for me. I think the best moment of the year for me was Monza, when I won two races. I will never forget that weekend, it was the best feeling ever.”

Nasr is the fourth consecutive British Formula 3 Champion for the Carlin team, following in the wheeltracks of Jaime Alguersuari and Daniel Ricciardo – both of whom now race in Formula 1 – and Jean-Eric Vergne, who is on the brink of a Grand Prix career. Felipe has achieved the feat with six races to run, and he warns his rivals: “Now I will be taking risks and going for the wins…”

It nearly went wrong for Nasr before the start of the Rockingham finale. On a track made treacherous from heavy rain earlier, all were struggling for grip and Felipe spun, fortunately without damage, on his way to the grid.

Magnussen was in superior form throughout, the Dane overhauling pole man Fantin away from the line to assume a lead he never looked in danger of losing. Hitech Racing man and Saturday victor Fantin was an ever-present threat, however, finishing just 0.7s behind at the line. Pietro was awarded the Sunoco Driver of the Weekend for his efforts.

Magnussen had to endure two safety car periods as other slithered off and into the gravel traps and each other. “It was a tough race,” said Kevin. “There were two safety cars and I had pressure from Pietro all the race; he did a good job keeping me under pressure. It was all about not making any mistakes.” Magnussen’s win promotes him to championship second.

Will Buller moves into championship third, ahead of Carlos Huertas, after another strong run from a middling grid slot. The Fortec man battled up to fifth on the opening lap and picked off Jazeman Jaafar after the first safety period to secure fourth. Jaafar held on for fifth ahead of his Carlin running mate Jack Harvey.

Round 23 winner Scott Pye was seventh for Double R, ahead of Fortec’s Harry Tincknell, T-Sport man Bart Hylkema and Fahmi Ilyas, the third of the four Fortec men. Kotaru Sakurai was once again the Rookie class victor.

PODIUM DRIVER INTERVIEWS

Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series

Round 24, Rockingham 4/9/2011

24 laps / 46.56 miles

Provisional results Championship class

1  Kevin MAGNUSSEN / DEN,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  40m 10.018s / 69.54mph

2  Pietro FANTIN / BRA,  Hitech Dallara-Volkswagen  +0.691s

3  Felipe NASR / BRA,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  +4.579s

4  William BULLER /GBR,  Fortec Dallara-Mercedes  +8.721s

5  Jazeman JAAFAR / MAS,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  +9.271s

6  Jack HARVEY / GBR,  Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen  +15.077s

7  Scott PYE / AUS,  Double R Dallara-Mercedes  +17.325s

8  Harry TINCKNELL / GBR,  Fortec Dallara-Mercedes  +29.851s

9  Bart HYLKEMA / NED,  T-Sport Volkswagen  +31.270s

10  Fahmi ILYAS / MAS,  Fortec Dallara-Mercedes  33.123s etc

Rookie class

1  Kotaro SAKURAI / JPN,  Hitech Dallara-Mugen Honda  +55.400s

2  Luca ORLANDI / ITA,  Team West-Tec Dallara-Mugen Honda  23 laps

Fastest lap Fantin 1m 31.262s / 76.52mph

Full timesheets http://bit.ly/q3seNy

Provisional championship standings

1 Nasr 297 points; 2 Magnussen 174; 3 Buller 171; 4 Carlos Huertas / COL 166; 5 Jaafar 159; 6 Rupert Svendsen-Cook / GBR 144 etc

Rookie class

1 Sakurai 300; 2 Bart Hylkema / NED 214; 3 Orlandi 45.