March 31 2016, 17.27 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
The top Indian racing driver will begin the season racing for ThreeBond with T-Sport
31st March, 2016, Thursday, France: Impressing in the first test of the new season at Vallelunga, Arjun Maini, supported by JK Tyre, will hope to set a new standard as he takes the Paul Ricard track in France for the opening race of the FIA F3 European Championship 2016 in the ThreeBond with T-Sport car. Being the sole driver on the team, pressure mounts on the young Indian to make a mark in a field littered with exciting talent.
ThreeBond with T-Sport boast of a rich history of drivers making their mark in F3 including former F1 driver and Arjun's mentor Karun Chandhok and current Force India driver Sergio Perez who drove for them in 2008, securing four wins in that particular season. The switch to the Tomei engine, manufactured in Japan would have distanced certain drivers from signing for T-Sport but after test driving for them in the Macau Grand Prix, Arjun was convinced that he had made the right choice.
"This season will be a first for both the team and me because I'll be leading the team as we try to compete with the rest of the field. The ThreeBond engine has been spectacular on the straights which is hugely positive for us. The Paul Ricard track is an exciting place to race and I'm hoping for a good finish to get the season off to a good start." Said Arjun.
Having finished 9th in his rookie season with Van Amersfoort Racing, Arjun felt that the need for more experience along with working with a new engine drew him to ThreeBond with T-Sport along with a nudge from his mentor Karun Chandhok. The aim for the 2016 season is to finish as high as possible but every success will be treated with equal merit.
Russell Eacott, team owner of ThreeBond with T-Sport, is excited about the start of the season. "We are really looking forward to the race weekend at Paul Ricard. The track is a beautiful place to race and weather permitting, we are hoping for a good result. Testing for Arjun has been going good as he is constantly working on the car, providing inputs to the mechanics. Ultimately, it all comes down to how we do in qualifying which will be crucial."
Testing concludes today with the first practice session taking place on 1st April at 12:30pm IST.
Arjun Maini testing with ThreeBond with T-Sport during the Macau Grand Prix in 2015.
Arjun Maini during testing for ThreeBond with T-Sport at the Vallelunga test in March 2016.
