Peroni signs with Campos

Alex Peroni

Australia has moved a step closer to having its next Formula 1 driver with the confirmation of young Tasmanian racer Alex Peroni‘s 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship campaign.

Peroni, 19, has signed with leading European team Campos Racing for the championship, which is the rebranded GP3 Series that has been an official Formula 1 support category since 2010.

All eight FIA Formula 3 Championship rounds will be held at European Formula 1 race meetings, not only putting Peroni directly in front of the Formula 1 teams’ talent scouts but also providing invaluable exposure for his sponsors and partners.

Peroni was keen to race with Campos in the FIA Formula 3 Championship following a successful three-day test with the team late last year in Abu Dhabi after the final round of the GP3 series.

The two parties quickly agreed on terms for a campaign in the championship, which begins in Barcelona, Spain, on May 10-12 (see schedule below).

“I felt comfortable immediately with the Campos team in Abu Dhabi," Peroni said. “They did everything they could to help me, and good lap times came very quickly. I was very impressed with how hard they worked, and from that moment I wanted an opportunity to drive with Campos in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.

“I’m very happy that we have reached an agreement."

Adrian Campos, ex-Formula 1 driver and team principal, welcomed his Australian recruit. “Alex showed some impressive performances in Formula Renault last year," he said. “We believe that he has great prospects, and with the right preparation from Campos Racing he will reach his full potential.

Testing

“We were very pleasantly surprised in the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi, getting a quick adaptation and achieving competitive lap times. We expect him to continue his progression, and Campos Racing will put everything at his disposal to grow together."

Peroni gave notice of his ability last year in Formula Renault, with race wins at the Monaco round of the Eurocup Series and the Pau (France) round of the North European Cup. Now he’s champing at the bit to contest the world’s most prestigious junior openwheeler championship.

“I’ve been dreaming of competing in GP3 – now the FIA Formula 3 Championship – since I graduated from racing karts to cars in 2015," he said.

“While it was amazing to win at Monaco in the Eurocup, that was the only round of the series where we raced as part of the Formula 1 calendar. This year’s FIA Formula 3 Championship multiplies that by eight, so it’s an incredible opportunity for me to show what I can do – and an incredible opportunity to gain exposure for my sponsors and for Tasmania."

Peroni’s 2019 deal includes membership of the Campos Academy, which provides physical and psychological training, driver coaching and extensive access to the team’s simulator.

“The Abu Dhabi test showed me that the GP3 car was a big step up in performance over the Formula Renault," he said. “It didn’t take long to get used to the nearly double engine power, but the extra aerodynamic downforce made the car more demanding physically on high and medium-speed corners.

“Since Abu Dhabi I’ve been doing additional daily training to ensure I’m fit enough to drive at 100 percent from start to finish in the FIA Formula 3 Championship races, which are longer than the Eurocup ones.

“I’m very excited to be joining Campos Racing this season. The team has won races in GP3 and GP2, so I’m confident of having the equipment and technical support to fight for good results throughout the season.

“The fact that this year all FIA Formula 3 Championship teams have to use a new chassis and a slightly different engine tune will give rookies like me a better chance than usual against the drivers with prior GP3 experience."

Peroni's loyal sponsors Blundstone, Richardson Devine Marine, RACT and the Carbine Club will continue supporting his climb up the international motorsport ladder in 2019.

Blundstone CEO Steve Gunn believes that Peroni’s story replicates the history of Blundstone and other Tasmanian businesses that compete against the best from around the world.

“A common goal of Alex’s sponsors and supporters is to promote Tasmania and all things Tasmanian to the world, from our world-class products including boots and boats, our magnificent food and beverages, our incredible tourism and hospitality, our tertiary education sector and so much more," Mr Gunn said.

In addition to support from Tasmanian’s business community, Alex will also become an ambassador for Tasmania on the world stage, raising awareness of Tasmania’s brand and carrying the Tasmania brand on his car.

Tasmanian motorsport legend Marcos Ambrose welcomed today’s announcement.

“Alex’s dream and his chosen path up the motorsports ladder resemble mine 20 years ago," said Ambrose, who made a career racing overseas in NASCAR stock cars from 2006-’14 after winning the 2003 and 2004 Australian V8 Supercars Championships.

“His European Formula Renault wins last year at the Monaco and Pau street circuits cannot be overstated. It’s on circuits like these that a driver can demonstrate his true talent.

“It’s great to see this talented young Tasmanian getting the support he deserves, and I congratulate all his sponsors for getting behind him. I wish Alex all the best in his endeavours, and will continue to support him in his journey to becoming a professional racing driver."

2019 FIA FORMULA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Pre-season tests

March 20-21 Paul Ricard (France)

April 9-10 Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain)

April 17-18 Hungaroring (Hungary)

Rd 1 May 10-12 Barcelona-Catalunya (Spain)

Rd 2 June 21-23 Paul Ricard (France)

Rd 3 June 28-30 Red Bull Ring (Austria)

Rd 4 July 12-14 Silverstone (Great Britain)

Rd 5 Aug. 2-4 Hungaroring (Hungary)

Rd 6 Aug. 30-Sep. 1 Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)

Rd 7 Sep 6-8 Monza (Italy)

Rd 8 Sep. 27-29 Sochi (Russia)

ALEX PERONI PROFILE

DATE OF BIRTH: November 27, 1999

HOMETOWN: Hobart, Tasmania

RESIDENCE DURING 2019 FIA Formula 3 Championship: Valencia, Spain

MOTORSPORT CAREER: 2007-‘14 karts (numerous race and series wins), 2015 Italian Formula 4 Championship (14th), 2016 French Formula Renault Monoplace Challenge (1st); 2017 Formula Renault Eurocup (10th), 2018 Formula Renault Eurocup (9th).

2019 PARTNERS/SPONSORS: Blundstone, RACT, Richardson Devine Marine, Events Tasmania.

CAMPOS RACING PROFILE

Campos Racing is among Europe’s longest-established professional race teams.

Established in 1998 by former racer Adrian Campos, who drove in Formula 1 for Minardi in 1987-’88, the team has nurtured the talents of many young racers, most notably future Formula 1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Marc Gene.

Campos won the teams’ title in the 2008 Formula 1 ‘feeder’ GP2 Series (since rebranded the FIA Formula 2 Championship), the 2009 European F3 Open series, and a hat-trick in the 1998-’99-‘2000 Nissan Euro Open series.

Campos drivers have achieved numerous races and podiums in European junior racing over the years.

For the past three seasons Campos has been the ‘quiet achiever’ in the prestigious international GP3 Series, working its way up the Teams ladder from seventh in 2016 to fifth in 2017 and third last year.