MAY 18, 1998

More F1 teams look at Formula 3000

WITH Formula 3000 receiving much more coverage this season thanks to a calendar which is more closely linked with Formula 1 racing, more Grand Prix teams are considering becoming involved in the junior series as a way of maximizing the exposure for their sponsors.

WITH Formula 3000 receiving much more coverage this season thanks to a calendar which is more closely linked with Formula 1 racing, more Grand Prix teams are considering becoming involved in the junior series as a way of maximizing the exposure for their sponsors.

A season of Formula 3000 remains very cheap in Formula 1 terms and already McLaren is running two cars under the West Competition banner for Nick Heidfeld and Nicholas Minassian (and a Formula 3 car in Germany for Norman Simon).

Prost is currently supporting the two Apomatox cars of Stephane Sarrazin and Marcelo Battistuzzi.

We also believe that Williams is supplying much of the finance for Juan-Pablo Montoya's Formula 3000 bid with SuperÊNovaÊRacing, although the car carries minimal sponsorship.

We have also heard of a British American Racing Formula 3000 project and a team to be run in Arrows colors by JackieÊOliver. Benetton is also tipped to have a junior team in Formula 3000. At the moment the team is supporting a three-car team in the German Formula 3 series for former karting ace Johnny Mislijevic, Thomas Mutsch and Jeffrey von Hooydonk.

Jordan is also involved in the promotion of young Japanese drivers and may decide to run a Formula 3000 team next year. The team has been linked to Edenbridge racing which is run by Honda dealer Peter Briggs.

In addition to the additional exposure for sponsors, the F3000 teams provide young drivers with a taste of the F1 circuits and the kind of machinery they will face in Formula 1.