Belgian teenager Nico Verdonck faced a mountain at the start of the
FIA F3000 season, his first out of the junior Formula Renault category, but has acquitted himself well whilst running with the 'national' Astromega squad.
With just two rounds left to run in his debut campaign - including his 'home' race at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend - Verdonck took time to reflect on the year...
Q:
Nico, what is your impression from your first F3000 season so far, now that there are only two races to go?
Nico Verdonck:
I am very satisfied. I have really learned a lot, considering that I had to do it very quickly - with only 30 minutes free practice to learn all those new layouts. My goal before the season started was to finish races and score at least one championship point. It was a matter of building up my confidence for the future. With eight races under my belt, I have reached that goal, and now I want to show myself at Spa - the first circuit I really know.
Q:
What's the biggest difference between Belgian Formula Renault 1600 and International F3000?
NV:
First of all, the downforce. We create 500k downforce on the car in F3000 and, compared to that, Formula 1600 runs with almost no downforce at all. The Avon tyres are a lot softer, which creates a great deal more grip, and the difference between 115bhp from the Renault 1600 engine and the 450bhp from a Zytek F3000 is really impressive. Also, the brakes on a F3000 car are unbelievable.
Q:
You drive in an
F1 support championship, knowing that F1 spectators and, maybe, the F1 teams may be watching. Does that makes you nervous?
NV:
To be honest, the opening lap of my first F3000 race at Imola gave me a special feeling. I'd never seen so many spectators before in my career, and I was pretty impressed by that. As for now, I like to race in front of such a large attendance. However, I must say that, once I am racing, I am only concentrating on my job. The knowledge that F1 teams may be watching stimulates me.
Q:
Were you physically ready for the big step from FR1600 to F3000?
NV:
At the start of the season, I could only drive at 80 per cent of my potential because I knew that I was not able to maintain the level required for 35 laps. At this moment, I can run at 95 per cent all through the race. My lap-times during the race are progressive towards the end.
Q:
Did working with Team Astromega and Tim Wright, the same engineer you worked with last year in FR1600, make things any easier for you?
