After a break in the calendar rising American star Cameron Das will be back out on track taking part in the third round of the fast-paced and action-filled BRDC British Formula Three Championship. Das, already a Championship contender, is chasing the title hard and currently sits second overall as the Series moves to British racing circuit Snetterton for what will be the first of two visits to the Norfolk track over the course of the 2017 season.
Taking to the BRDC British Formula Three Championship like a duck to water, reigning Formula Four US Champion Das has had no trouble at all getting to grips with his Carlin Tatuus-Cosworth Formula Three car. With a quarter of the season already in the bag Das has so far been the man to beat when it comes to the fast-paced and intense qualifying sessions. Still the only driver to have clinched pole position in qualifying this season, the young American already has a fantastic reputation in the series as the driver to keep an eye on throughout the course of the weekend.
“The start of the season has given me a really big boost of confidence, especially since I know there is more to come as I settle into the car and championship more,” Das reflected of the opening two rounds. “It’s been nice to have a small break to be able to reflect on the previous races and I think the realizations I’ve come to will help me develop as a driver this weekend.”
Following his maiden victory of the 2017 season last time out at Rockingham, which came in the form of a supreme reverse grid fight from seventh on the grid to the front, rookie racer Das now sits comfortably in second place overall with a collection of points which has seen him impressively close the gap to the top of the standings to just 15 points – an assailable gap with his continuing strong form. With three races to play for once again this weekend at Snetterton, the opportunity to clinch the lead of the championship is well within reach for Das. The 17 year old said of his approach, “My approach will see a slight change now that the gap to the top is closed. I can afford to take a few more risks that I couldn’t take earlier in the season with a big gap, so I’m sure we will see some intense battles in the reverse grid races.”
Snetterton is not only a circuit at which Das, like the rest of the field, has already tested at on various occasions but was also the track in which he took part in his first BRDC British Formula Three race while competing in the standalone Autumn Trophy event in 2016. A complete rookie to the car, Das impressed with his race craft and used everything he learnt during that weekend, and a winter test programme, to forcefully take on a full 2017 campaign as a Championship contender.
Having already raced at the 2.969 mile circuit Das commented, “Doing the Autumn Trophy certainly gives me a strategic advantage ahead of the official race weekend. I’ve already figured out where and where not to pass, and I’ve experienced the car in both clean and dirty air in race conditions which can never fully be replicated in testing. I’d say I have more confidence going into this weekend then the previous two because of that experience.
“Snetterton is a fun track to drive on but it’s also one where there is a lot of time to be gained or lost if you aren’t truly on the limit. It’s easy to settle into a groove that feels fast but sometimes isn’t, so staying focused during the races this weekend will be key.”
The reigning Formula Four US Champion will be on track testing on both Thursday and Friday before qualifying and three races commence around the Snetterton 300 circuit as he looks to chase the championship lead and pull away further from those behind.