Masters Of Formula 3: 2011 Preview

This weekend (13 & 14 August) the RTL GP Masters of Formula 3 will take place at Zandvoort. Formerly the most important European F3 race of the season, in which the best F3 drivers of Europe compete against each other. Now, the Masters of F3 forms the 4th of five events in the inaugural FIA Formula 3 International Trophy. One thing will probably stay the same though, the winner of the Masters Of F3 has a high chance of ending up in Formula 1. Former winners that reached F1 are e.g. Lewis Hamilton, Nico Hülkenberg, Paul di Resta, Christian Klien, Takuma Sato, David Coulthard, and Jos Verstappen.

Having said that, a certain announcement made a few weeks ago, was a small let down before this years 21st edition even starts. Only one team, Carlin Motorsports, of the British F3 Championship will be present this weekend. This means that the field will consist out of 19 drivers. Only the first edition of the Masters in 1991 produced a smaller grid.

So why are the British F3 teams not joining? The most heard reason is unfair competition. They say the F3 Euro Series drivers have already raced in Zandvoort in May of this year. One thing that is for certain is the following fact: since the creation of the Formula 3 Euro Series in 2003, every single Masters of F3 has been won by a Euro Series driver. One other important thing to note is that Felipe Nasr, leader of the British F3 Championship and racing for Carlin Motorsport, won’t participate. Reason is his management ‘doesn’t see the need’.

Most of these British F3 drivers won’t be present during the 2011 Masters Of F3 edition

Even though the drivers field is quite small this year the competition will be tough. Simply said: quality is more important than quantity, right? Like stated, in the last 8 years a Euro Series driver claimed the top step on the podium. This leads us to the name of Euro Series Championship leader Roberto Merhi, who is the favourite to win this weekend. There's also a big change he will wrap up the FIA F3 International Trophy during this round. Only thing that isn't in Merhi's favor are his previous results at the Zandvoort circuit. He reached the podium only ones as third during his last showing in May at Zandvoort. However recently Merhi  gave his rivals a 'clinic' in Spa.

   

Footage of the International F3 Championship 2011, Spa race

So which drivers could probably challenge Merhi and become the successor of last year's winner Valtteri Bottas? Daniel Juncadella, Felix Rosenqvist, Marco Wittmann and Nigel Melker are the main candidates. Melker for example is driving a home race and won one of the Euro Series races at Zandvoort in May this year. Will he take the win in front of his home crowed again and be the successor of Dutch countrymen Jos Verstappen and Tom Coronel? One things for sure, we have atleast 4 young talents that will seriously fight for the win this weekend

Bottas 2010 masters win, who will be his successor?

F3 is off course the main event of the weekend, but as in earlier editions of the Masters of Formula 3 the organizers have put together a fantastic program for both days. One of the most spectacular side classes of this year will be the Boss GP. which consist of 21 big open singleseaters including 10 F1 cars raced before 2006. Other 'historic' cars that can be seen in this league are from the following championships GP2, Champcar, Formula 3000, Indycar and the World Series by Renault. Furthermore every year there are special guests performances. In past years the likes of Michael Schumacher, Rene Arnoux, and Sebastian Vettel showed up to entertain the packed grandstands with their cars of that moment. This year the special guests  are Daniël Ricciardo (HRT driver & RedBull talent) and Jos Verstappen (back again). The former will be giving a Nascar demo and the latter a F1 demo in the Tyrrell 026.

Example of special guests appearances through the years: Schumacher, Verstappen, and the Ferrari team