Fabio Scherer believes he is ready for the first round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship after successfully completing his pre-season testing programme in Hungary yesterday (Thursday).
The 19-year-old is racing for the Sauber Junior Team in 2019 as part of an exciting collaboration that connects Fabio with Sauber Motorsport, the Swiss organisation that runs the Alfa Romeo Racing team in Formula 1.
Having spent four days adjusting to his new single-seater racing machine in France and Spain, Fabio brought the curtain down on his pre-season testing schedule by completing two days of running at the Hungaroring, the home of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
He lapped the 4.38km venue 197 times and completed 862 kilometres of valuable running with the support of his Sauber Junior Team by Charouz engineers.
« The Hungary test was a clear improvement over the last two we did and I’m happy with most of the things we achieved. I think we went in a good direction and, when we do the homework properly, we’ll be ready for the first round of the season, » Fabio said. « I think we managed our time well on the track and adapted the set-up of the car nicely when we wanted to. That meant we had two days of smooth running and we could improve the pace. That has to be the ultimate aim as you prepare for the new season. »
With two separate timed sessions each day, Fabio and his race-winning team focussed on fine-tuning their qualifying pace in the morning before working to establish a competitive race pace in the afternoon.
The Stobag-supported driver was generally pleased with the times he set and he hopes that will enable him to make a fast start when the opening races of the FIA Formula 3 Championship get underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 10-12 May.
« Being race-ready for the first round is crucial because there isn’t any time to learn during the race weekend, » he explained. « Everything happens so quickly and the grid will be so competitive. I think only three or four tenths will separate maybe the top-20 drivers. »
Fabio’s F3 season will start in Spain and end in Sochi, Russia at the end of September. He’ll contest 16 separate races during the eight-round championship.
Press release Fabio Scherer
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