A completely new driver line-up, Campos Racing’s all-time youngest in the series, will kick off the 2022 FIA Formula 3 Championship season in Sakhir this weekend
Campos Racing will contest the season opener of the FIA Formula 3 Championship season at Bahrain International Circuit this weekend. After a long hiatus the Spanish team is back in action in full force with its young trio of David Vidales, Hunter Yeany and Pepe Martí, who will be defending the Campos Racing-colors throughout the 2022 season. After the first event in Bahrain, the F3-based racing series will pay visit to Imola, Barcelona, Silvertone, Red Bull Ring, Hungaroring, Spa-Francorchamps, Zandvoort and Monza.
The new driver lineup, with an average age of only 17 years, features young blood and talent at the same time. After restlessly efforts in the last months with collective testing in Valencia and Sakhir, Campos Racing and its drivers expect to make a positive start to the season despite the 30-car field is stronger than ever. American Yeany and Spaniards Vidales and Martí managed to put valuable experience under their belt a few weeks ago at Bahrain International Circuit. Campos Racing’s drivers and engineers gathered important data with a good feeling in testing and excellent pace. Their goal is to convert positive flow into results as soon as possible.
Sakhir’s abrasive asphalt and characteristic hot temperatures are particularly demanding making degradation and tire wear high. This said, considering the track is located in the desert, it is often to have sand on the asphalt and may affect grip throughout the weekend and cause graining as well. Usually, the Bahrain International Circuit features a high degree of track improvement over the course of the weekend.
Unlike the three-race format seen last year, the FIA Formula 3 is back to its usual double header events. Friday’s qualifying results will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s feature race (45 minutes plus one lap) with Saturday’s sprint race (40 minutes plus a lap) having its starting grid determined by reversing the top 12 finishers of the single qualifying session.
Both free practice and qualifying sessions will take place on Friday at 09.25 and 14.25 respectively. Saturday’s Sprint race is scheduled at 10.45 with Sunday’s Feature race taking place at 09.45. All times are CET.
Adrián Campos (Campos Racing Team Principal): “Finally we have already the first round of a very long season just around the corner. We have high expectations and hopefully we will able to continue on an upward trend from a point of view of results. I feel sure that our drivers will be in contention for top spots. I feel particularly proud having with us the only Spanish drivers in the series and we want to fly our flag higher than ever this season.”
David Vidales (Campos Racing Driver in FIA Formula 3): “I can't wait to jump in the car on Friday and see where we are after all the work that has been going on until now. Vamos!”
Hunter Yeany (Campos Racing Driver in FIA Formula 3): “My goal for the first race weekend is to do the best I can and maximize the car. But on the driving side we have great race pace I just have to work on qualifying”
Pepe Martí (Campos Racing Driver in FIA Formula 3): “Going into the first round of the FIA F3 I am really excited and raring to get going. It’s a very competitive championship and I am going to try learning as much as possible. I think for this season Campos Racing and myself can do a very good job as I think we have everything we need to perform, we have a strong team and we are determined, so I am looking forward to starting.”
Photos: Dutch Photo Agency
