Wharton and Heuzenroader eyeing success
It is a big weekend for international Aussies James Wharton and Patrick Heuzenroeder as their respective European campaigns fire up again.
For Wharton, he is determined to carry on his consistent form in the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship.
The Australian Prema Racing driver currently sits fifth in the standings, having finished in the top 10 in each of the last six races at Hungary, Mugello and Paul Ricard.
The standout highlight of this run was the Race 2 win at the twisty Mugello where Wharton gave his Prema team a memorable home success.
The run means Wharton is within striking distance of third placed Brando Badoer and especially Alessandrio Giusti, who sit 43 and 15 points ahead respectively.
The iconic Imola circuit is far from unfamiliar territory for the boy from Bundoora, who has raced there twice in the Italian F4 Championship with a bet result of third in 2022.
Heuzenroader has been picking up points in recent GB3 races, but he will be determined to find some extra pace at Donington Park this weekend.
The JHR Developments driver’s campaign has flown off to an impressive start in Thursday and Friday practice.
The Australian finished the sixth and final practice session in an impressive fourth position with a 1:23.579, two tenths shy of impressive Kiwi Louis Sharp.
That result came after sessions 1 and 5, where he finished seventh and fifth respectively.
Having come to grips with GB3 across the early rounds, Heuzenroader has quietly made progress across the last three rounds having not missed the points.
His best result was third at Zandvoort, while his last start was a welcome return to the top 10 in the second trip to Silverstone.
Another driver to watch is rapid Kiwi Sharp, who is determined to hold onto his championship lead.
The Rodin Motorsport driver has a slender four-point advantage over Josh Bennett, but his British rival has the momentum having taken a win last round.
Sharp has been fast out of the blocks topping the first and final practice sessions.
The usual three race format is at Donington Park.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track in a competitive capacity after the summer break. It was a good chance to recharge after a busy mid-season leg and I am feeling well prepared to take on the final two rounds of the year, starting this weekend at Donington Park,” Heuzenroeder said.
“The test day last week, where I finished sixth place in the final session, was a strong indication that we should be competitive and I have good memories of the track from last year when I scored my maiden podium in GB3.
“Overall, I have high hopes that we can score well, just like we have on numerous occasions so far this year, especially in Continental Europe at the Hungaroring and Circuit Zandvoort.”
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