PERONI CONFIRMS 2020 FORMULA 3 CAMPAIGN

Alex Peroni confirms 2020 Formula 3 campaign – Photo: LAT

Tasmanian Formula 1 hopeful Alex Peroni is in the final stages of confirming a deal for the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship after suffering a spectacular accident at Monza last year.

By HEATH McALPINE

The 20-year-old is preparing to undertake his second year in the category after being a shining light for the struggling Campos Racing squad last year, but the incident at Monza stifled his challenge towards the top 10.

After hitting a sausage kerb, his car vaulted into the air and hit the catch fencing above the tyre wall leaving the Aussie with a concussion and a fractured vertebra. It has been a swift recovery for Peroni after wearing a back brace for three months he is fully focused on preparing for the upcoming season through gym sessions.

“It’s basically all done,” Peroni told Auto Action. “The hardest part was probably the first month, dealing with the injury, but then after it was just grinding, just getting used to the back brace and trying to do the exercise.

“I got the brace off a few weeks ago and now I’m back training ahead of the upcoming season.”

The injury has allowed Peroni his team to advance talks with prospective teams for the upcoming season. A number of teams have identified interest in Peroni, which has surprised him as last year failed to be as fruitful as he would have hoped.

“We were talking to a few teams – there were a few surprise ones that we didn’t expect,” Peroni explained. “We’re close to the deal now, but not sure when we’ll announce it, but it’s looking good for 2020 and we’ll be on the grid.

“That’s good for me, cut back to four months ago I was in hospital with no money, no results, no nothing, so it’s good.”

Peroni has enjoyed continued support from Daniel Ricciardo and has noted Formula 1 personality Peter Windsor in his corner as well with the latter hosting an auction late last year in Hobart to raise funds for Peroni’s Formula 1 quest.

At this stage, four Australians are expected to contest FIA Formula 3 next year with Western Australian Calan Williams, Queenslander Jack Doohan and reigning Formula Renault Eurocup champion Oscar Piastri all set to join Peroni on the grid.

Peroni hopes to test in late-January before his campaign starts in Bahrain on March 20-21.

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