FBMW: Just 15 cars for season opener

The Formula BMW Europe Series grid will have just 15 cars for its opening round at Barcelona this May after championship organisers revealed its entry list today.

This year’s grid will be the European version’s sparsest since its inception three years ago after taking over from the erstwhile British and German national series. By contrast, 2009 saw 41 drivers compete over the course of the season with 39 taking part in ’08.

Third-season veterans Facu Regalia, Javier Tarancon and Côme Ledogar will have experience on their side as they bid to win the title and move on while last year’s rookies Robin Frijns, Jack Harvey, George Katsinis and Timmy Hansen also return for another crack.

Formula BMW Americas rookie champion Michael Lewis and Pacific regular Fahmi Ilyas meanwhile will be hopeful of comparing favourably in Europe.

Of the six teams competing, down by four from 2009, only three – Eurointernational, Eifelland Racing and Josef Kaufmann Racing have managed to fill their full driver quota, with Mucke Motorsport, Fortec and DAMS mustering just two each.

The championship kicks off in Barcelona on May 7-9.

Entry list: (number/name/team)
4 Robin Frijns (NL) Josef Kaufmann Racing
5 Hannes Van Asseldonk (NL) (R) Josef Kaufmann Racing
6 Petri Suvanto (FI) (R) Josef Kaumann Racing
7 Marciej Bernacik (PL) (R) Mücke-Motorsport
8 Timmy Hansen (SE) Mücke-Motorsport
11 Daniil Kyvat (RU) (R) Eurointernational
12 Carlos Sainz (ES) (R) Eurointernational
14 Michael Lewis (US) Eurointernational
15   Javier Tarancon (ES) DAMS
17   Fahmi Ilyas (MY) DAMS
18 Facu Regalia (AR) Eifelland Racing
19   Côme Ledogar (FR) Eifelland Racing
20   Marc Coleselli (AT) (R) Eifelland Racing
24 Jack Harvey (GB) Fortec Motorsports
25 George Katsinis (GR) Fortec Motorsports

Catch Formula BMW Europe action on Motors TV throughout 2010.


Tom Hornsby