British F3 preview: Sato to the fore...

Last year's champion Antonio Pizzonia has taken the traditional step up to the International Formula 3000 Championship and begins his campaign at Interlagos, also this weekend. The Brazilian was a clear winner, but it is unsure who will fill his shoes in 2001.

The talent of BAR test driver Takuma Sato immediately elevates him to title-favourite status and the fact that the Japanese finished third in the standings last year brings further encouragement. Sato's ability to get the most out of his tyres and his qualifying pace will enable him to get those all-important slots at the sharp end of the grid.

He is unlikely to have it all his own way however, and strong opposition is likely to come from his Carlin Motorsport team mate and fellow BAR tester Anthony Davidson. The pair spent much of the last month vying for the top slot during testing and this year's BRDC McLaren Autosport young driver will certainly be no pushover.

Dane Nicolas Kiesa is also sure to be at the front for the RC Motorsport team, which has switched its allegiance from Benetton to Prost to become the junior arm of the French F1 outfit. Kiesa, like Sato, is likely to be badgered by his team mate Ryan Dalziel as he has notched up top four testing times consistently over the winter.

A Manor Motorsport driver has taken the championship for the last two years and the Sheffield-based team is fielding a three-car effort in 2001. Formula Palmer Audi graduate Derek Hayes and Formula Ford peddler Mark Taylor are leading the attack with American Jeffrey Jones in the third car.

The performance of the Jaguar F3 team has been the surprise of the winter with both James Courtney and German Andre Lotterer, who competed in his home F3 series last year, struggling to break into the top six in dry conditions. With the resources of the Big Cat behind the team, it is certain to catch up, but in the meantime Courtney could pick up some valuable points if the Northamptonshire weather turns wet this weekend.

Andy Priaulx was in line to land a seat with Jaguar during the off-season, but after the Guernseyman was overlooked, he plumped for Alan Docking Racing and does not seem to have suffered as a result. Priaulx finished last year on a high note after taking pole and finishing second at the final round. The 27-year-old has carried his form through winter testing and will be hoping he can join the winner's circle this year.

The Scholarship Class has boomed this year with more than 20 entries in the category for two-year-old chassis. Last year's BRDC McLaren Autosport young driver Gary Paffett won in 2000 and has controversially taken his £125,000 prize money to Team Rosberg in the German F3 series, after failing to secure a competitive drive on home soil.

This year it could turn out to be an all-Irish affair at the top, with Michael Keohane dominating testing in his Meritus-run Dallara-Toyota, closely followed by Matt Gilmore.

Formula Palmer Audi graduate Robbie Kerr will likely be battling it out at the front. Kerr has joined Diamond Racing, which is also in a graduate year after moving up to F3 from sportscars. Kazuki Hoshino, stable mate to Sato and Davidson at Carlin, is also expected to run well, along with fellow Japanese Shinsuke Yamazaki.

The format for this year will add an extra novelty element as race day has been changed from one 30-minute race to two 20-minute double-headers, interspersed by a three hour gap, making for fast and furious racing with frantic repairs in between.

With almost 40 cars taking to the grid when the two classes are combined, and more than half of the drivers making their debut, it would be a foolish man who bet on everyone making it cleanly through Copse on Sunday afternoon...


1 Derek Hayes (GB) Manor Motorsport Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
2 Jeffrey Jones (USA) Manor Motorsport Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
3 Andre Lotterer (D) Jaguar Racing F3 Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
4 James Courtney (AUS) Jaguar Racing F3 Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
5 Anthony Davidson (GB) Carlin Motorsport Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
6 Takuma Sato (J) Carlin Motorsport Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
7 Alex Gurney (USA) Fortec Motorsport Dallara F301 Renault Sodemo
8 Gianmaria Bruni (I) Fortec Motorsport Dallara F301 Renault Sodemo
9 Nicolas Kiesa (DK) RC Motorsport Prost Junior Dallara F301 Opel Speiss
10 Ryan Dalziel (GB) RC Motorsport Prost Junior Dallara F301 Opel Speiss
11 Bruce Jouanny (F) Promatecme UK Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
12 Atsushi Katsumata (J) Promatecme UK Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
14 Matt Davies (GB) Team Avanti Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
15 TBA Team Avanti Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
17 Paul Edwards (USA) Alan Docking Racing Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
18 Andy Priaulx (GB) Alan Docking Racing Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
19 Tim Spouge (GB) Menu Motorsport Dallara F301 Renault Sodemo
20 Rob Austin (GB) Menu Motorsport Dallara F301 Renault Sodemo
21 Mark Taylor (GB) Manor Motorsport Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
27 Jamie Spence (GB) Duma Racing Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda
28 TBA Duma Racing Dallara F301 Mugen-Honda


51 Robert Doornbos (NL) Fred Goddard Racing Dallara F398 Renault Sodemo
52 Robbie Kerr (GB) Fred Goddard Racing Dallara F398 Renault Sodemo
53 Kazuki Hoshino (J) Carlin Motosport Dallara F398 Mugen Honda
54 Parthiva Sureshwaren (IND) ME Motorsport Dallara F398 Mugen Honda
55 Micheal Keohane (IRL) Meritus Racing Dallara F398 Toyota
56 Peter Nilsson (GB) Meritus Racing Dallara F398 Toyota
57 Adam Blair (GB) Performance Racing Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
58 Matthew Gilmore (GB) Performance Racing Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
59 Justin Sherwood (GB) Performance Racing Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
60 Aaron Scott (GB) Rowan Racing Dallara F398 Toyota
62 Ernani Judice (BR) Parker F3 Dallara F398 Mugen Honda
63 Stuart King (GB) Shift Motorsport Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
64 Stuart Turvey (GB) Gatellie International Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
65 Rowland Kinch (GB) PA Motorsport Dallara F398 Spiess Opel
66 Harold Primat (F) Diamond Racing Team Dallara F398 Mugen Honda
67 Julian Harburg (AUS) Head Racing Development Dallara F398 HRD Vauxhall
68 Craig Murray (GB) Aztec International Dallara F398 Mitsubishi
77 Mark Mayall (GB) Diamond Racing Team Dallara F398 Mugen Honda
88 Shinsuke Yamazaki (J) Diamond Racing Team Dallara F398 Mugen Honda