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TOMMY SMITH LOCKS IN EUROPEAN OPEN-WHEEL DRIVE

Tommy Smith locks in European open-wheel drive - Image: InSyde Media

By Bruce Williams

Tommy Smith locks in European open-wheel drive - Image: InSyde Media

Tommy Smith locks in European open-wheel drive – Image: InSyde Media

VHT S5000 Gold Star Championship competitor Tommy Smith has confirmed that he will also take part in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine this year.

By DAN McCARTHY

Smith will compete for Italian squad JD Motorsport after racing in the Asian F3 Championship in 2019.

The 18-year-old was set to drive for JD Motorsport in the FR Europe series last year, however the COVID-19 pandemic halted those plans shortly after pre-season testing.

Team principal Roberto Cavallari is pleased Smith will race for the team in 2021 after what was a challenging year globally.

“I’m delighted to welcome Tommy back to our team,” he said. “Due to his school commitments and the worldwide health emergency, which were incompatible with racing in Europe, he was forced to cancel his programme right after testing.

“Despite the challenges, he stayed close to us and for 2021 he will finally be able to run in the full Formula Regional by Alpine Championship.”

Unless the International travel restrictions are removed in time (which seems impossible at this point) Smith will be forced to miss the fourth round and final of the S5000 Championship at Sydney Motorsport Park.

Smith has confirmed that he will join JD Motorsport for pre-season testing, before the series gets underway on April 24 at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, one week prior to the final S5000 round.

One ironic connection is that Smith will be driving the Team BRM S5000 machine previously raced by 11-time grand prix winner Rubens Barrichello at the Sandown exhibition race.

His teammate at JD Motorsport will be Barrichello’s son Eduardo, the Brazilian comes off the back of finishing runner-up in the US F2000 Championship.

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