F2 & F3 Barcelona, Race Preview
The goal for Team Trident at Montmelò will be to get back to the points zone with both drivers in this weekend’s sixth round of the championship.
The Circuit de Catalunya will host the sixth round of the 2020 FIA Formula 2 Championship this weekend. After coming back from the Spanish venue, the teams will have a one-week break before moving towards the Ardennes forest at Spa-Francorchamps. The goal for Team Trident drivers Roy Nissany and Marino Sato is to secure top-ten finishes at Catalunya. The 25-year-old racer from Tel Aviv, who is also a third driver for Williams F1, took an 18th and a 15th position in the previous round at Silverstone, after having the chassis of his car replaced. The 21-year-old driver from Yokohama, who got a promising seventh row on the starting grid, took the 17th position in both heats. The venue near Barcelona is a frequent destination for test sessions and is particularly popular with drivers and teams. However, for the first time the race will not be held in May, but on the middle weekend of August. The outside temperatures could become very high and introduce a new variable, which will not easy for the drivers to analyze. In fact, significant thermal degradation is expected, which will make the management of the Pirelli tires crucial. The drivers and the technical staff of Team Trident prepared the trip to Catalunya with the utmost focus. Now the word will go to the track!
Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager:
“Next weekend the F2 series will be back in action at Montmelò, with the event being held for the first time in August. The outside temperatures are expected to be quite high. The thermal degradation of the tires could thus become a crucial variable in terms of how the weekend will pan out. The goal is to be back into the points.”
Team Trident is looking forward to Barcelona with the goal of fighting for victory in both races and remain at the top of the series.
Last weekend, Team Trident lost its third win of the FIA Formula 3 Championship season at the final corner at Silverstone. The race had once again featured the team as a leading force. At the British track, after the two wins by David Beckmann at Budapest and in the first event at Silverstone, it was time for Lirim Zendeli to barely miss the top step of the podium. The appointment with the victory is only postponed for the 20-year-old driver from Bochum. Together with team-mates Beckmann and Caldwell aim to be the star of the sixth round of the season, which will be run on the demanding Montmelò track. The Catalan venue is extremely technical and requires the maximum concentration from the free practice session, which must be used to prepare for the often-decisive qualifying. Beckmann, who is third in points, will aim to get closer to the top of the ranking. Zendeli is looking forward to breaking the ice and take his first victory. Caldwell, who did not have much luck on his home track after showing remarkable performance at Spielberg, will try to secure his first podium of the season. An ambitious goal for an F3 rookie, but absolutely within Caldwell’s reach. The preparation work for the trip to Iberia was thorough, now the drivers are expected to have a busy weekend!
Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager:
“The balance for Team Trident in the first five rounds of the FIA Formula 3 Championship is definitely positive. The team is holding second place in its respective classification while David Beckmann sits third in the driver standings. So far our drivers delivered two wins and six podium finishes. Our goal for Barcelona will be to fight for the win in both races.”
Timetable
The FIA Formula 2 Championship will come alive on Friday at 12:55 with the first free practice session. Qualifying is also scheduled for Friday at 17.00. The Feature Race will start on Saturday at 16.45, while the Sprint Race is set for Sunday at 11.10. The FIA Formula 3 Championship cars will start on Friday at 9:35 am for the free practice session. Qualifying will be later the same day at 14:05. Race 1 is scheduled at 10:25while Race 2 will be Sunday at 9:45. As usual, all the activities will be covered live by the Sky Sports F1 network.