2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season
2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season
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The 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series season was the eighth season of the Renault–supported single–seater category.
It was the first season for the new Dallara T12 chassis, which featured a new, 530 bhp (400 kW) V8 engine supplied by British firm Zytek Motorsport.[1] The car also featured a new gearbox developed by Ricardo and a Drag Reduction System similar to the one first used in the 2011 Formula One season.[1] The series' organising committee has also announced that the series' sporting regulations were set to remain unchanged.[2]
Robin Frijns won the championship in his first season of competition, becoming the first driver (since Robert Kubica in 2005) to win the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in his debut year. Tech 1 Racing won the teams' championship for the fourth time.[3]
Teams and drivers
On 10 October 2011, it was announced that 18 teams had applied to compete in the 2012 season.[4] Twelve of the thirteen teams that competed in 2011 submitted entries, while Mofaz Racing withdrew after failing to acquire the requisite funds to continue in the series.[5] Several new teams, including Arden International, Atech Reid GP, DAMS, Koiranen Motorsport, Max Travin Racing Team – however prior the start of the season, Max Travin Racing Team joined forces with BVM Target as part of a three-year partnership[6] – and Van Amersfoort Racing all submitted entries to join the series.[4] The final list of thirteen teams was published on 17 October 2011, with GP2 Series teams Arden International and DAMS selected to join, while EPIC Racing and Koiranen Motorsport were placed on a reserve list.[7]
Driver changes
- Changed teams
- Entering/Re–Entering FR3.5
- 2010 champion Mikhail Aleshin, who competed in the GP2 Series and German Formula Three in 2011, returned to the series full-time with Team RFR,[27] after a one-off appearance at the Hungaroring in 2011, replacing Anton Nebylitskiy. Nebylitskiy partners Aleshin at Team RFR in 2012.
- Zoël Amberg, who competed in the 2011 GP3 Series season with ATECH CRS GP, moved to Formula Renault 3.5, joining Pons Racing.[30]
- Jules Bianchi, who finished third in the GP2 Series in both 2010 and 2011, joined Tech 1 Racing.[15] He also competed in the Monaco round of the series in 2009 for SG Formula.
- Sam Bird, who was sixth in GP2 in 2011, also joined the series with ISR.[12]
- Yann Cunha, who participated in both British Formula Three and the European F3 Open championships in 2011, joined Amberg at Pons Racing.[29]
- Lucas Foresti, who graduated from the British Formula Three Championship, joined Arthur Pic at DAMS.[37]
- Colombian driver Carlos Huertas, who placed third in the British Formula Three championship and fifth in the Macau Grand Prix, will move into the series, driving for Fortec Motorsport.[10] Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 champion Robin Frijns became his teammate.[11]
- British Formula Three runner-up Kevin Magnussen continued his collaboration with Carlin Motorsport for another season, joining the team's Formula Renault 3.5 outfit.[8] He was joined in the team by Will Stevens, who placed fourth in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2011.[9]
- Nikolay Martsenko, who finished twelfth in German Formula Three in 2011, moved into the series with BVM Target.[26]
- Lotus signed German Formula Three champion Richie Stanaway and runner-up Marco Sørensen to drive their cars in 2012.[17]
- Auto GP race-winner Giovanni Venturini joined Martsenko at BVM Target.[21]
- GP3 Series race-winner Lewis Williamson moved into the series full-time, after replacing Daniel Ricciardo at ISR for two meetings in 2011. He joined Formula Renault 3.5 debutants Arden Caterham.[35] Fellow GP3 race-winner Nico Müller joined the series with International Draco Racing.[31]
- GP3 racer Nick Yelloly, who competed in three meetings for Pons Racing in 2011, moved into the series full-time with Comtec Racing.[33] He will be joined by fellow GP3 driver Vittorio Ghirelli.[32]
- Leaving FR3.5
- Nathanaël Berthon, who raced for ISR in 2011, stepped up to GP2 with Racing Engineering, having previously contested the 2011 GP2 Asia Series season and GP2 Final with the team.[39]
- Albert Costa, who finished fourth in 2011 with EPIC Racing, will move to the Eurocup Mégane Trophy with defending champions Oregon Team.[40]
- Daniël de Jong, who finished 29th for Comtec Racing, joined the Auto GP World Series full-time with Manor MP Motorsport, having contested three meetings for the team during the 2011 season.[41]
- Daniel McKenzie, who raced for Comtec Racing in 2011, will move to Formula Two for 2012.[42]
- Sten Pentus, who finished 24th in 2011 with EPIC Racing, will move to the Auto GP World Series with the Virtuosi UK team.[43]
- After finishing in fifth place in the series, alongside a half season in Formula One, Daniel Ricciardo switched to Formula One full-time, joining Scuderia Toro Rosso.[44]
- Stéphane Richelmi, who finished 26th in the 2011 season for Draco Racing, will graduate to the GP2 Series with Trident Racing.[45]
- Filip Salaquarda, who entered at Monza with Pons Racing in 2011, will switch to the FIA GT1 World Championship, joining AF Corse.[46]
- Adrien Tambay, who competed for Pons Racing and Draco Racing in 2011, will join the DTM, driving for Abt Sportsline.[47]
- Mofaz Racing driver Chris van der Drift left the championship to compete in the Auto GP World Series.[48]
- 2011 series runner-up Jean-Éric Vergne moved into Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso.[49]
- Oliver Webb, who drove for Pons Racing in 2011, will move to the Indy Lights series full-time with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, having contested four races with Jensen MotorSport in 2011.[50]
- 2011 champion Robert Wickens switched to the DTM, joining the junior Mercedes scheme, earning a place at Mücke Motorsport.[51]
- BVM Target driver Daniel Zampieri switched to sportscar racing, joining the International GT Open and Blancpain Endurance Series with the Kessel Racing team.[52]
- Mid-season changes
Race calendar and results
In August 2011, series organisers had announced that the championship was due to visit Russia and Brazil during the 2012 season.[2] The 2012 calendar was announced on 10 October 2011, the day after the end of the 2011 season.[54] Russia was included, but Brazil omitted. Seven of the nine rounds will form meetings of the 2012 World Series by Renault season, with additional rounds in support of the Monaco Grand Prix and the 6 Hours of Silverstone.[55]
Championship standings
- Points system
Points are awarded to the top 10 classified finishers.
Position |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
5th |
6th |
7th |
8th |
9th |
10th |
Points |
25 |
18 |
15 |
12 |
10 |
8 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
Drivers' Championship
|
Colour | Result |
Gold | Winner |
Silver | 2nd place |
Bronze | 3rd place |
Green | Points finish |
Blue | Non-points finish |
Non-classified finish (NC) |
Purple | Did not finish (Ret) |
Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) |
Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
White | Did not start (DNS) |
Withdrew (WD) |
Race cancelled (C) |
Blank |
Did not participate |
Excluded (EX) |
Bold – Pole
Italics – Fastest Lap
† – Retired, but classified |
Teams' Championship
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "New Formula Renault 3.5 unveiled at Silverstone". renault-sport.com (Renault Sport). 20 August 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Mills, Peter (21 August 2011). "Formula Renault 3.5 to visit Russia and Brazil in 2012". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 24 August 2011.
- ↑ "Frijns gets title in clash, da Costa wins". Autosport.com (Haymarket Publications). 21 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "18 teams apply for 2012 season". renault-sport.com (Renault Sport). 10 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ↑ Mills, Peter (7 October 2011). "Mofaz Formula Renault 3.5 team to close". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- ↑ "Max Travin Racing объявила о сотрудничестве с BVM Racing в Мировой серии "Рено"" [Max Traving Racing announced partnership with BVM Racing in World Series by Renault]. Championat.com (in Russian) (SUP Media). 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 7.9 7.10 7.11 "Thirteen teams selected for 2012". renault-sport.com (Renault Sport). 17 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Weeks, James (20 October 2011). "Magnussen secures Carlin Formula Renault 3.5 seat". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 20 October 2011.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Weeks, James (15 December 2011). "British racer Stevens lands Carlin Formula Renault 3.5 seat". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Carlos Huertas joins Fortec for Formula Renault 3.5". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). 28 November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Frijns completes Fortec Formula Renault 3.5 line-up". Fortec Motorsports (Fortec Motorsport Ltd.). 30 January 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2012.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "I.S.R. Racing confirm Bird and Rosenzweig". isr-racing.cz (ISR Racing). 24 February 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
- ↑ Weeks, James (19 January 2012). "Korjus sticks with Tech 1 for FR 3.5 title assault". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ↑ "WSR: Кевин Корьюс потерял место в Tech1" [Kevin Korjus lost Tech 1's seat] (in Russian). F1News.ru. 11 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Weeks, James (9 February 2012). "GP2 race-winner Bianchi makes Formula Renault 3.5 switch". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 13 March 2012.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Mills, Peter (3 February 2012). "Walter Grubmuller and Daniil Move stay with P1 Motorsport in Formula Renault 3.5". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 3 February 2012.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Mills, Peter (2 March 2012). "Lotus joins forces with Gravity-Charouz to race in Formula Renault 3.5 Series". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 2 March 2012.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Ramos remplace Stanaway" [Ramos replaces Stanaway]. AUTOhebdo (in French) (Groupe Hommell). 18 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 "Lotus míří na Silverstone s pozměněnou jezdeckou sestavou" [Lotus aims at Silverstone with the revised line-up]. racing.charouz.cz (in Czech) (Lotus). 22 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
- ↑ "Formula Renault 3.5 Series". Gravity Sports Management (iRace Professional). 11 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Venturini nuovo pilota di BVM Target Mercato piloti chiuso". ItaliaRacing.net (in Italian) (Inpagina). 10 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2012.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Costa, Massimo (11 July 2012). "Sirotkin e BVM Target assieme nell'inedito appuntamento di Mosca" [Sirotkin and BVM Target together in the meeting of Moscow]. ItaliaRacing.net (in Italian) (Inpagina). Retrieved 12 July 2012.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Zampieri a Silverstone con BVM Target" [Zampieri in Silverstone for BVM Target]. ItaliaRacing.net (in Italian) (Inpagina). 19 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
- ↑ "Pal Kiss debutta con BVM Target a Budapest" [Pal Kiss debuts with BVM Target in Budapest]. ItaliaRacing.net (in Italian) (Inpagina). 6 September 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
- ↑ "За BVM Target на предстоящем этапе выступит Давиде Ригон" [Davide Rigon to participate the next round for BVM Target] (in Russian). F1News.ru. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 "Формула-Рено 3.5" в Москве: в чемпионате примет участие еще один российский пилот [Formula Renault 3.5 in Moscow: Another Russian driver will took part in the championship]. Sport Express (in Russian) (European Sports Media). 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 "За новую команду RFR выступят Алешин и Небылицкий" [Aleshin and Nebylitskiy to compete for new team RFR]. F1News.ru (in Russian) (Racing News Agency, Ltd.). 20 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ↑ Taillade, Jean-Luc (11 September 2012). "FR 3.5 – Aaro Vainio au Hungaroring avec RFR" (in French). autohebdo.fr. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Mills, Peter (15 December 2011). "Yann Cunha to drive for Pons Racing in 2012 and 2013". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Weeks, James (8 December 2011). "Amberg joins Pons for 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 campaign". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 Mills, Peter (29 February 2012). "Nico Muller to partner Andre Negrao at Draco in FR3.5". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 29 February 2012.
- ↑ 32.0 32.1 "Ghirelli to partner Yelloly as Comtec completes 2012 FR3.5 line-up". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). 7 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 Weeks, James (20 February 2012). "Yelloly secures full-time Formula Renault 3.5 berth with Comtec". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Alexander Rossi confirmed as Caterham F1 Team Test Driver". Caterham F1 (Caterham F1 Team). 9 March 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
- ↑ 35.0 35.1 Tremayne, Sam (4 December 2011). "Lewis Williamson stays with Arden for Formula Renault 3.5 move". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Red Bull Junior Team: Renault 3.5 Nurburgring preview – da Costa debut". Red Bull Junior Team (Red Bull). 27 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ↑ 37.0 37.1 "Lucas Foresti with DAMS". dams.fr (DAMS). 15 February 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
- ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Arthur Pic with DAMS". dams.fr (DAMS). 21 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ↑ "Nathanaël Berthon to join Racing Engineering for the 2012 GP2 Series". GP2 Series (GP2 Motorsport Limited). 5 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
- ↑ Weeks, James (22 February 2012). "Costa makes Eurocup Megane Trophy switch for 2012". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- ↑ "MP team and Daniel de Jong commit to full Auto GP campaign in 2012". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). 27 January 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
- ↑ "Daniel McKenzie switches from Formula Renault 3.5 to F2". FIA Formula Two Championship (FIA Formula Two Championship). 15 March 2012. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
- ↑ "Pentus joins the Series with Virtuosi UK". autogp.org (Auto GP World Series). 27 March 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
- ↑ "Ricciardo earns Toro Rosso ride". The Australian (News Limited). Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ↑ "Stéphane Richelmi to drive for Trident Racing in 2012". GP2 Series (GP2 Motorsport Limited). 12 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- ↑ "Salaquarda joins AF Corse line-up". FIA GT1 World Championship (Stéphane Ratel Organisation). 29 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
- ↑ "Audi gives young talent opportunity in DTM". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (ITR e.V.). 14 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
- ↑ "16 drivers on the Auto GP World Series grid". Auto GP World Series (Auto GP Organization). 8 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
- ↑ "Toro Rosso announce Ricciardo & Vergne for 2012". formula1.com (Formula One Administration). 14 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- ↑ "Sam Schmidt Motorsports signs Webb". Firestone Indy Lights (IndyCar). 1 December 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2012.
- ↑ O'Leary, Jamie (2 April 2012). "Robert Wickens and Roberto Merhi join Mercedes for DTM assault". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ↑ Mercier, Laurent (11 April 2012). "Monza: Un meeting ouvert et complet avec 57 autos!" [Monza: A meeting opened and complete with 57 cars!]. Endurance-Info (in French) (Infomaniak Network SA). Retrieved 11 April 2012.
- ↑ "Richie Stanaway will miss the rest of the Formula Renault 3.5 season due to Spa injury". Autosport (Haymarket Publications). 8 June 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
- ↑ "Russia included on 2012 World Series calendar". GPUpdate.net (GPUpdate). 10 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ↑ Weeks, James (5 March 2012). "Formula Renault 3.5 confirms Silverstone return". motorstv.com (Motors TV). Retrieved 5 March 2012.
External links