Action resumes for the Euformula Open after the summer break, and there is great expectation ahead of the final stretch of the season, which includes three of the most traditional rounds: Red Bull Ring, Barcelona, and Monza. Things couldn’t have been left in a more exciting situation ahead of the holidays, as the championship is now more open than at any other moment this season, with four drivers in the race for the title.
This highlights the importance of all nine races still to be contested, as the series heads to the Red Bull Ring, the beautiful and very technical 4.326-km track nested in the green hills of Styria that will host the new Tom’s-powered Dallara 324s that equip the Euroformula Open since this year. The setting may be pleasant and peaceful, but there is no doubt that the battle in Austria will be fierce.
Only 37 points cover the first four drivers in the standings, and all have a say in the title bid. Leading the rankings is Tymek Kucharczyk, the young Pole of BVM Racing, who took command at the last round in France. Fast since the beginning, the Pole has become more effective race after race, and after four wins and four poles, he now has a 7-point lead.
Nothing that can be easily reverted by his most direct opponent, Yevan David. The Sri Lankan of Motopark is making history as the first great motorsport promise from the Asian country and has proven competitive and consistent throughout the season, clinching 4 wins and one pole, although he now has to face stronger opposition. He used the summer break to keep his racing form by contesting one round of the GB3.
Two other Motopark drivers are in the title race. Only one point behind David, and 8 behind Kucharczyk, is Michael Shin. The Korean is the most experienced driver of the four, and two wins and great consistency in achieving podium finishes, prove it.
Raising his game progressively but steadily, Joss Garfias has joined the top trio. The Mexican has won three races, one at each of the last three events, and his gap from the top (37 points) could be easily wiped out if he keeps the momentum.
Behind the top fourth, a man to be always watched is Ed Pearson. The Brit is leading the charge of Nielsen Racing, which is performing an excellent maiden season in the series, despite the inevitable ups and downs included in the learning curve, and has already offered one win to the British squad.
Progressing quickly are also the two more junior Motopark drivers, American Everett Stack and Mexican Diego de la Torre, who both have already reached the podium and aim to visit it more often in the final part of the season.
The round in Austria will offer the opportunity to see in action some new faces. No fewer than four drivers will make their debut at the Red Bull Ring.
Nielsen Racing is entering two South Americans. Brazil’s Ricardo Miranda Baptista, nicknamed Cadi, is 17 and joins from experiences in the Brazil and Spain F4 series. Argentina’s Francisco Soldavini, Panchito, is 17 too, has also F.4 experience on both sides of the Atlantic, and was third (with 5 wins) in the Ultimate Formula Cup last year.
At Motopark, EFO regular Fernando Barrichello will miss the Red Bull Ring round, as he will be making his FIA F.3 debut in Monza. Fefo will be replaced by Romani’s Luca Viisoreanu (16), who has been racing in the F.4 Italian, CEZ and Euro series in the last three years.
On its side, BVM Racing will entrust this time its other car to Alessandro Famularo, the 23-year-old Venezuelan seen in FRECA in recent years after competing in F.4 in Italt and Germany, where he was a race winner.
Faithful as always, NV Racing’s Paolo Brajnik will challenge his younger rivals and aim at the Gold Cup honours.