NOVEMBER 8, 2003

Farfus gives up F1 ambitions

Newly crowned European Formula 3000 Champion Augusto Farfus was hoping to get to Formula 1 next year but has given up on the idea after being asked to shell out $20m for a drive at Jordan Grand Prix. The Brazilian youngster says he is now looking at CART and the DTM although he still has hopes of landing an F1 test drive.

The European Formula 3000 series has, incidentally, just made a remarkable announcement, publishing a calendar which includes races in Dubai and Bahrain. As neither of these venues are in Europe it would seem that this is a direct challenge to the FIA International Formula 3000 Championship. The latter has struggled for entries this winter but the news that the German Formula Renault team Ma-Con Motorsport has acquired the assets of Den Bla Avis should guarantee that the series goes ahead next year. The series needs to find 17 cars by the end of the month. Arden, Coloni, Durango, ISR, Red Bull Junior and SuperNova will all be back in action while Enrique Scalabroni's BCN Competicion, Astromega and Ma-Con will probably take part, giving the necessary 18 entries. There are also suggestions that the French Formula 3 team Signature will join the series in preparation for the new Renault-engined formula which is expected in 2005.