Reigning Formula Four US Champion Cameron Das looks ahead this weekend to his next challenge on the horizon as the opening round of the 2017 BRDC British Formula Three Championship beckons at Oulton Park, UK. Das, whose impressive run in the 2016 US F4 Championship saw him dominate the latter part of the season, already has experience in the British Formula Three car following a strong debut with Carlin in the Autumn Trophy last year. In preparation for the upcoming season Das has been hard at work with the British team in a series of pre-season tests alongside simulator work.
17 year old Das has enjoyed a strong career to date with 2016 seeing him take on the challenges of three different series. Participating in the inaugural US Formula Four Championship Das proved his talent in impeccable style securing a stunning nine wins – eight of which came in succession as he blitzed the field in the second half of the season. The young American made sure to gain a raft of experience under his belt and took part in the USF2000 Championship, part of the highly regarded Mazda Road to Indy development programme, before finishing off his season in the BRDC Autumn Trophy across the pond.
Das now looks ahead to his first full season racing in Europe in a Championship known for producing exciting race weekends and encouraging strong talent. The Championship, which starts this weekend at Oulton Park, will see Das take part in a total of eight rounds; each consisting of three races, at highly respected circuits including the home of the British Grand Prix, Silverstone, and the iconic Spa-Francorchamps.
For the championship assault and opening round of the season this weekend Das has been pushing hard in both in pre-season testing as well as working hard with his engineer in simulator sessions. He said of his preparation for the season, “Pre-season testing has been so valuable to me. Being a foreigner to the Tatuus-Cosworth and the European circuits meant that I was at a disadvantage prior to testing but I really believe this pre-season period has allowed me to close the gap significantly. The three of us in the Carlin team [Enaam Ahmed and James Pull] have been extremely close through testing and we each have a unique driving skill that helps us all find more time in ourselves.
“I have approached this season like no other before. I’ve trained the hardest I’ve ever done physically, mentally and on the simulator too. I’ve made sure to place myself in the best position to start the season strongly.”
Looking ahead to the upcoming weekend which will also consist of two invaluable test days prior to the weekend followed by a fast-paced qualifying session and three no-doubt exciting races the American racer added, “Oulton Park is simply a fantastic track. I love tracks with elevation and there is no shortage of it there. It was a bit daunting when I first went there, but when you settle into the groove and build confidence, it has a flow like very few other tracks I’ve been to.
“I play to win. I approach every weekend as such, but I’m not unrealistic either. I do however believe that we have the pace to be consistently at the pointy end of the field at Oulton.”
Live timing will be available throughout the weekend: http://www.tsl-timing.com/event/171518