The final round of the 2017 BRDC British Formula Three Championship awaits American racer Cameron Das this weekend as he looks ahead to the three last races of the highly competitive British season. Das, a race winner in the series, will be back behind the wheel of his Carlin-run Tatuus-Cosworth car as he takes on Donington Park this weekend looking to once again grace the podium. The 17 year old has already enjoyed a fantastic season and is currently sitting fourth overall in the standings with more points on offer to add to his tally as the flag falls for the final time on Sunday afternoon.
Racing in the eight-event series for the 2017 season Das has tasted race winning success and has amassed a strong tally of podiums, pole positions and fastest laps. This weekend will see the rising American star race around Donington Park for the very first time. Having already tested at the circuit Das is full of confidence ahead of the final three races. He said of his aims, “My plan for this weekend is to finish top three in the Championship and hopefully get a couple of wins as well. I like the flowing nature of the track and feel as though it will suit my driving style like Oulton Park did at the very beginning of the year.
“I had the chance to test there [Donington] recently, and I must say it’s now one of my favorite tracks. I haven’t raced there before so I don’t yet know where the best opportunities are for some overtakes and moves however I’m going to be sorting through the archives to get some ideas!”
Donington Park, based in the British county of Leicestershire, is a 2.498 mile circuit known for producing great action over the years. From legendary Formula One performances to hard-fought championship battles, the 12 corner track always produces great racing. While the Championship title has already been concluded, third position is well and truly up for grabs for Das from his current fourth place in the standings.
Speaking of his debut season racing in Europe Das said, “I’ve really liked the European style of racing. It has taken me a while to get used to what the limits are and the differences, but the aggressiveness and effort you have to use for every pass is exhilarating.
“At the beginning of the year, I said I would be really happy with a top three finish, and I’m only a few points away from that going into the final weekend. I have gained so much experience this year and my driving is night and day from when I first tested with the team during the winter too.”
Since the start of the season in April at Oulton Park Das has charged on to the European racing scene and already taken a commanding win at Rockingham and stood on the podium a further five times. The 2016 F4 US Champion has also been a pole sitter in the series and without doubt one of the drivers to beat each weekend – his impressive efforts in his debut season of European racing placing him fourth overall in the standings.
With 375 points on the board, and aiming to add more to the final score, Das reflected on the year, “Looking back on the year, I think the best moment was probably race two at Rockingham where I started back in seventh and finished to take victory. There was a bit of carnage on the first lap that I avoided, and then it was a battle to the lead. It was one of those weekends where pretty much everything went right and I’m looking to recreate that this weekend.”
Das takes to the track for a day of testing on Thursday before qualifying and race one on Saturday followed by two further races, including the season finale, on Sunday.