British F3 champion Alan van der Merwe is set to make his début in the F3000 series, which is run in conjunction with European rounds of the F1 season, after signing with the Super Nova team.
British F3 champion Alan van der Merwe is set to make his début in the F3000 series, which is run in conjunction with European rounds of the F1 season, after signing with four-time championship winning team Super Nova.
The 24-year-old South African will be partnered by Austrian Patrick Friesacher in this year’s FIA International Formula 3000 Championship. After dominating the British championship last year, Van der Merwe believes the opportunity could be a stepping-stone to racing at the top level in 2005.
“Formula 3000 is the logical step between F3 and F1, and I am delighted to be competing in the FIA Formula 3000 championship with Super Nova.
“During the off-season we considered various options, but held out in the hopes of the big one arriving, and, with Super Nova and F3000 – which has won the championship no fewer than four times in nine years – I believe it has.
“I realise I have got quite a few hills to climb,” he said, “as I have missed a bit of testing, but I am excited. I think this is the best opportunity available to me at the moment,” he added.
The 10-round championship, which kicks off at the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on April 24, includes races at Monaco, Silverstone, Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps and ends at Monza in Italy on September 12.
