The fourth round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship will take place on home soil for Campos Racing and young Spanish ace Martí. Mansell and Barter will be also expecting to score their season highs on such a well-known race track
Campos Racing is ready for another event of the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship season, in which will be one of the most special times throughout the season as it will take place at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The home round for Campos Racing and Barcelona native Pepe Martí will bring still more stamina for the whole team, which is completing a strong season so far. Australian Christian Mansell and Japanese-Australian Hugh Barter also have plenty of experience on the Catalonian track and will be two other drivers to closely follow.
Martí has put himself in contention for the FIA F3 crown in his second season in the series. The Spaniard claimed his maiden win in the series in Sakhir, where he also secured another points-paying result on Sunday. The driver of Campos Racing completed a sensational recovery drive in Australia to move up to sixth after starting from the back of the grid. He achieved a second win in the F3-based racing series in his traditional dominant style in Monte Carlo. Martí grabbed a lights-to-flag win and then finished in ninth place on Sunday. Martí will be eying the rostrum at his home round in Barcelona once again. Ahead of Barcelona, Martí is sixth in the drivers’ standings on 37 points.
Mansell and fellow countryman Barter promise to be deliver further potential in Barcelona. Mansell made it into the points twice in Australia and Barcelona is a very well-known circuit to him. Barter is making a positive start to the season on his debut in the series, despite he has been pretty unlucky in several occasions caught in racing incidents of other drivers. Barcelona brings fond memories to Barter, as he scored two podiums in the F4 Spain last year, en route to Vice-Championship.
After three rounds, Campos Racing sits fifth in the team standings on 41 points.
The FIA Formula 3 Championship scheduled a collective test in Barcelona a few weeks ago, so every driver will arrive in Barcelona with good mileage under his belt. The most significant change is the modified third sector of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with two almost flat-out right handers instead of the slow chicane introduced back in 2007. Pirelli has chosen the P Zero White hard for Barcelona.
Both free practice and qualifying sessions will take place on Friday at 09.55 and 15.00 respectively. Saturday’s Sprint race is scheduled at 10.30 with Sunday’s Feature race taking place at 09.55. All times are CET.
Adrián Campos (Campos Racing Team Principal): “The first part of the season has showed we are up the front as Pepe has already claimed two wins and proving he is one of the strongest drivers in the field this year. Of course, racing at his home round will give extra wings to Pepe in front of his fans. Besides, we know our cars are competitive on this circuit because we already emerged as race winners last year. Christian and Hugh have experience in Montmeló and I’m sure they will be two drivers to have into consideration coming into the weekend.”
