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ARTICLE: "Rookie title is a good result." (FIAF3Europe.com, 2015)

source: fiaf3europe.com via wayback machine published: october 27th, 2015 series: f3 euro, 2015

27.10.2015. The battle for the 2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship rookie title was dominated by Charles Leclerc (Van Amersfoort Racing). The ranking that solely is open for Formula 3 newcomers was won by the Monegasque in superior style and with a clear lead over George Russell (Carlin) and Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) who finished second and third respectively.

Charles Leclerc made an impressive debut in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship by winning one of the three races of the season kick-off at Silverstone and finishing runner up in one of the others. In edition, he also secured his first two poles, at the British GP circuit. “The winter tests went really well but devising clear expectations for the season kick-off was still difficult. Nonetheless, I slightly hoped that things would take a positive course,” the Monegasque says about his first appearance on the FIA Formula 3 European Championship grid.

And he continued to deliver in fine style. After the sixth race meeting, at the Norisring, Leclerc had four race wins, four second places and five third places under his belt. And on the fifth race weekend, at Spa-Francorchamps, he even took the championship lead. But from Zandvoort he struggled with problems and lost the lead. “We suddenly had our problems finding the perfect set-up,” the 18-year old admits. Nonetheless, he kept on scoring and never lost his lead in the rookie ranking. He even was that dominant that he secured the rookie title as early as on the penultimate race weekend. “Having won the rookie championship is a good result,” he concludes.

In the end, he finished fourth in the championship, in his first Formula 3 season, thus defeating numerous far more experienced drivers on the highly competitive grid. A success that also once again underlined that Team Van Amersfoort Racing has got what it takes to successfully work with rookies and that the success of Max Verstappen who contested the 2014 FIA Formula 3 European Championship for the Dutch squad wasn’t a flash in the pan. “I had a good feeling right after the first test for Van Amersfoort Racing and from that point in time they were my first choice for the 2015 season,” says Leclerc whose father, Hervé Leclerc also raced in Formula 3, back in the mid-1980s. According to the young gun, his family and Nicola Todt’s agency Allroad Management that has been working with him since 2010 are his most important supporters.

One of the other drivers in the Allroad Management line-up was Frenchman Jules Bianchi and Bianchi and Leclerc were not only colleagues, but friends. “We often spent time together and our fathers also were close friends.” Therefore, it was extremely tough for Leclerc when Bianchi passed away on 17 July due to the head injuries he had suffered on 05 October, 2014 in the Japanese Formula 1 GP. “It was a really hard time but it never made an impact on my performances,” says Leclerc.

When it comes to the future, the pupil who – in his free time – likes any kind of sport or to meet his Italian girlfriend Giada, first of all dreams of making it to Formula 1. “That’s the ultimate goal of every young racing driver and I’m no exception. Le Mans definitely also would be great but currently, Formula 1 is what I want to achieve.” To be perfectly prepared if or when he makes it to the pinnacle of motor racing, he prepares in every area. “I still go to school although it’s a kind of home school. I want to pass my A levels next year to have the chance to study something technical should my racing schedule allow me doing so. I think such a course of studies would help me becoming an even better racing driver.”

#series:f3euro #year:2015 #source:article

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