JAMES KOVACIC - 2 PODIUMS AT SINGAPORE F1 DEBUT - 30.09.2009
James Kovacic – 2 Podium Positions in Formula BMW Pacific Debut!
Young Aussie James Kovacic has once again stepped into the limelight and made a name for himself at the support class race in Formula BMW held at the Singapore F1 Grand Prix last weekend 25th – 27th September.
After a stellar debut year in car racing and straight out of go-kart racing in Australia. James has more than impressed in the Formula BMW Americas season this year. 16 year old James was the only rookie driver in the series to win a race in the Americas series against the most successful team in Formula BMW history; Eurointernational.
After leading the Rookie standings going into the final round of the Americas series, his hopes of winning a championship in his debut year were dashed when his teammate, Joao Horto (Brazil) tried an ambitious move and led to James being taken out. This left James with 2nd in the Rookie Championship.
On the back of such an impressive season, Antonio Ferrari, the owner of Team Eurointernational contacted James and offered the young Aussie a drive in the FBMW race at Singapore. As Antonio stated, “I have been very impressed by James all season. James was the only one to stop our record run of 61 wins in FBMW Americas. For this I would like to give him a chance to drive for us. It is unfortunate what happened to James in Mosport. A teammate should never be involved in an incident with another teammate, especially when James was fighting for the Championship. James was clearly the fastest Rookie driver this year.”
James arrived at Singapore to be greeted by his new team in oppressive heat and humidity. This was the first time James would compete in a street circuit race. In qualifying, James had difficulties with the car as it was different to his regular car as used in the Americas. The poor performance in qualifying, led to an engine change and adjustments to the electronics.
This change worked and made James more comfortable.
(James in Black Race Suit)
Round 11 – Starting from a difficult 6th position and on the dirty side of the track, James managed a blistering start and used it to his advantage as he passed Dominic Ang (Team Holzer) and Axcil Jeffries (Zimbabwe - Erain Racing). James then managed to pass Gary Thompson (Ireland – Erain Racing) on the next lap. After managing to get past, James set some blistering times to get onto the back of FBMW Pacific regular Rio Haryanto (Indonesia –Team Meritus). James was able to pull away from the European Vice Rookie Champion Jack Harvey and came home 3rd in his debut race at a Formula 1 event. James was the highest placed Australian in the field with the very experienced and oldest driver in the field 21 year old Chris Wootton (Team Eurasia) placing 6th and 18 Year old Steel Guiliana (Atlantic Racing Team) coming in at 12th in a field of 20 International Drivers.
Top 3 Positions: 1. Felipe Nasr (Brazil – Eurointernational). 2 Rio Haryanto (Indonesia – Meritus) 3. James Kovacic (Australia – Eurointernational)
(James on his way to 3rd)
Round 12 – James started from 7th on the starting grid once again made a blistering start and made up two places into the all important and tight first corner at the Marina Bay Circuit. With the temperature beyond 45 degrees Celsius, James set up his own heat by setting about the chase of the next driver in front of him. By the 2nd lap James managed to get onto the back of Hong Cao (China – Ao’s Racing). At this point Kovacic put his head down and gave chase to 3rd position which was held by Rio Haryanto (Indonesia – Meritus). The two leaders Felipe Nasr (Brazil – Eurointernational) and Michael Lewis (USA – Eurointernational) had managed to escape any early attacks due to their front row starting positions.
Lap 7 led to a safety car due to an incident at the rear of the field. Whilst James was already sizing up Haryanto for a pass in the previous lap, life was made a little easier as the safety car pulled out and James managed to get a fantastic run behind Haryanto on the restart. After some very heavy blocking by Haryanto and almost pushing James into the barrier in the straight, James speed carried him through as he made his passing move stick cleanly into the first corner. As the commentators announced , “the pass by Kovacic was the pass of the race!”
James then continued on the charge to chase down 2nd place from Michael Lewis, setting his fastest lap on the last lap, however, there were just not enough laps left and James had to contend with another 3rd placing.
Top 3 Positions. – 1. Felipe Nasr. 2. Michael Lewis 3. James Kovacic
Some quotes from James after the 2nd race. “It was a very tough and hot race. Something I have never experienced before. The car was new to me in Qualifying and I only managed to get 10 laps in practice. This is why my quali was poor. However, I worked very closely with the team and as I became more comfortable with the track I was able to push.”
“At the restart, I was definitely sure I was going to pass Rio. He was already slowing me down and it hurt my chances of catching the 2 front guys. He blocked me in the straight; however, I kept my head down and didn’t give an inch. I passed him fair and then set about the chase after Lewis and Nasr. I was able to pick up my speed and set some very quick times, however, I just ran out of laps. It was a good race though and I really enjoyed all the passes I made. Two podiums in a row feel really great and it reinforces how competitive the FBMW Americas series was.”
In Round 12 the two other Australians came in at 8th for Chris Wootton and 12th for Steel Guiliana.