Formula Renault 3.5
This year Jules Bianchi, the Sahara Force India F1 reserve driver, member of the Ferrari Driver Academy, is joining Tech 1 Racing to compete in the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series. The 22-year-old Frenchman will team up with Kevin Korjus from Estonia. The two drivers in the Toulouse-based outfit will start the season with the same objectives – to win the titles and move up to F1 following in the footsteps of Charles Pic, Jean-Eric Vergne and Daniel Ricciardo - all former Tech 1 Racing drivers who have now joined the elite in the top category.
Jules Bianchi, former French Kart Champion, 2007 French Formula Renault Champion and winner of the 2009 Euro Series, has shone in the GP2 Championship in the last 2 years. He is a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy and the FFSA Equipe de France, and his entry in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series is to give him the opportunity to fight for another major title and move ever nearer to a seat in Formula 1.
“The whole Tech 1 Racing team is delighted to welcome Jules Bianchi for the coming season,” says Simon Abadie. “He will be a key player in the battle to achieve our objectives - the teams’ and drivers’ titles.”
In addition to the 9 Formula Renault 3.5 Series meetings with Tech 1 Racing, Bianchi will take part in nine free practice sessions during the F1 Grand Prix weekends at the wheel of the Sahara Force India F1 VJM05.
“With Jules Bianchi and Kevin Korjus we have two drivers capable of fighting for victory,” continues Abadie. “Jules’s experience will help us develop the car. It’s not the first time we’ve worked with a driver who’s part of an F1 team. Jules will help us take advantage of all his know-how to fine-tune the new Formula Renault 3.5 single-seater. His arrival is very positive for Tech 1 Racing and also for the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in general. In exchange we want to help him cross the final hurdle and make it into Formula 1.”
The Tech 1 Racing team, winner in 2007 of the Teams and Drivers’ titles in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series with Alvaro Parente, and in 2008, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series teams’ title followed in 2010 with teams’ titles in the Formula Renault 3.5 series and the Formula Renault Eurocup 2.0, is aiming for new trophies in 2012: “This season will be a particularly closely-fought one. The whole Tech 1 Racing squad is motivated like never before by the idea of winning the titles with very talented drivers in the Formula Renault 2.0 and the Formula Renault 3.5 Series.”
“I am very happy to be driving for Tech 1 Racing in the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series" says Jules Bianchi. "This year is very important for my career and, as a young driver, it's crucial to have the opportunity to race in such a competitive environment. I will do my best to help the team to achieve its goals this season. I also would like to thank Scuderia Ferrari and Sahara Force India F1 for allowing me to do so.”
Jules Bianchi (FRA)
Born: 3rd August 1989 (22)
2011: GP2 Series, 3rd, 1 victory, 6 podiums, 1 pole position
2010: GP2 Series, 3rd, 4 podiums, 3 pole positions, 1 fastest lap
2009: F3 Euro Series, Champion, 9 victories, 12 podiums, 6 pole positions, 7 fastest laps
2008: F3 Euro Series, 3rd, 2 victories, 7 podiums, 2 pole positions, 1 fastest lap, winner F3 Masters at Zandvoort
2007: Formula Renault 2.0 France, Champion, 5 victories, 11 podiums, 5 pole positions, 10 fastest laps
2004-2006: Karts, Asian Pacific Champion in 2005 and French Formula A Champion in 2006
Ferrari Driver Academy and FFSA Equipe de France driver
Sahara Force India F1 Reserve Driver
Tech 1 Racing press release