Ryan Briscoe may have clinched the championship last time out at Hockenheim, but seven drivers still have a mathematical chance of joining the Toyota F1-test driver on the end of season podium Formula 3 Euro Series podium, following this weekend’s final round at Magnry-Cours.
The 'magnificent’ seven are: Christian Klien and Markus Winkelhock (Mücke Motorsport), Olivier Pla and Alexandre Premat (ASM),
Timo Glock (Opel Team
KMS),
Nico Rosberg (Team Rosberg) and Fabio Carbone (Signature Plus).
Of these, it’s the French ASM team who are tipped to shine this weekend since they will be racing on home ground, while Brazilian Fabio Carbone should have a similar advantage, being based mere kilometres from the circuit.
However, the revelation of the season has been young Austrian Klien, who has already secured himself the top rookie title and was a championship contender until last time out.
But motorsport isn’t an exact science, and the series has a history of victories from drivers on unfamiliar terrain, including Nico Rosberg at Le Mans, Christian Klien at Zandvoort and Alexandre Premat,
Robert Kubica at the Norisring.
So far, eight different winners have climbed onto the top step of the podium this year, with champion Briscoe taking a conclusive eight wins from the eighteen races.
However, it wouldn’t come as a surprise should Olivier Pla, Bruno Spengler, Bernhard Auinger, Alexandro Margaritis, Simon Abadie or regional driver Nicolas Lapierre grab glory in the season finale.
With an average of 30 drivers entered for each meeting, record crowds, extensive television coverage and plenty of action, the 2003 Formula 3 Euro Series - the result of the amalgamation of the German and French Formula - has enjoyed a truly impressive season which reaches its two-part conclusion on Saturday at 14.20, then Sunday mat 11.40.
