14 October 2001

European Formula 3000 Championship - Valencia

Alex Müller had high hopes for the final round of the European Formula 3000 championship in Valencia, Spain.A good race result would have seen him as runner-up in the championship but as often happens in motorsport, things turned out to be different.

In Friday's free practice, the driver of the Italian Ghinzani-team was marred by problems with the electronics. The team decided to change engines. The differential was also replaced and some changes were made to the front axle. "That paid off in free practice on Saturday", Müller said. In the rain, he drove fast lap times. Qualifying took place in dry conditions. "Due to the problems on Friday, I didn't have an excellent set-up in the dry. Nevertheless, I reached sixth place on the grid with new tyres", said Müller. Warm-up on Sunday was much promising. Alex Müller was three tenths of a second faster than the rest of the field, which is remarkable given the close competition in Formula 3000.

Immediately at the start of the race, his main rival in the fight for second place, Thomas Biagi, drove into his car in a very unfair way. After a further collision, Alex had to pit to have his car repaired. He lost a lot of time and any chance of a good fnish. In the closing he shone with some fast lap times. "Today, a podium finish would have been possible", he reckoned after the race. In the final points standings of the championship, Müller was third. For next year, he plans to compete in the International Formula 3000 championship, which is a part of the Formula 1 support package.

Müller: "My start into the race was superb, I could charge immediately. Then, however, Italian driver Biagi ran into me. I was left of him, he pulled over and I had to go on the grass. He did it on purpose - after all, I was his rival for runner-up. Thus, I dropped back to 15th. Shortly after, I lost the front wing of my car in a collision with another driver and I had to pit for repair." He was able to continue, but lost considerable time and ended the race at the back of the field. The fact that he still drove the second fastest lap of the race proved that he easily could have finished second to the remarkable fast race winner Massa. That would have made him runner-up in the points. "Too bad, but things like that happen", Müller accepted his fate. Now, Alex Müller is concentrating on next season. "I would like to graduate to the international Formula 3000-championship. I hope that some opportunities for testing will arise in the next few months. My management and I will be having a lot of meetings in order to find the best possible option."

Lydden Circuit - T-Cars

Ryan Lewis took part in his last T-Car meeting at Lydden circuit on Saturday. He had mixed fortunes in qualify planting the Team Brask car 7th for the first race and fifth for the second. In the first race he made a good start and climbed up the order to fifth place at the finish. Having learned a great deal from the first race he put in another great start in the second race and blasted into second place just ahead of champion elect and the winner of the opening race, Ben Reeves. The pair engaged in a race ling battle with Ryan holding off Ben all the way to the flag and showing a maturity more akin to drivers with years more experience. Phil Rose took the second race win and Ryan's second place netted him fourth in the final table of what has been a very hotly contested championship.

Having reached age 17 earlier on in the year, Ryan is now obliged to graduate to a senior category next season.

Michael Spencer looks to Formula Renault in 2002

Brask Management Kart star Michael Spencer test a Formula Renault car for the first time at Oschersleben in Germany last week. Michael, who had previously only tested a Formula Ford 1600 machine, undertook approximately twenty laps in the car of German Formula Renault challenger Vitantonio Liuzzi.

Michael said: "The speed was the main thing I noticed when I got down to completing some serious laps and the downforce was also just as impressive. I can't wait to have another crack."