Formula Ford supports Supercars, Euroformula Open goes back-to-back, and Aussies leading in Monaco & Indy
Welcome to your Weekend Preview for 24-25 May, 2019. Here’s your look at the Aussies who are competing around the world this weekend.
Kiwi Callum Hedge on pole as Australian Formula Ford supports Supercars at Winton
Round 3 of the Australian Formula Ford Championship makes it’s debut for the year as a support series, appearing on the undercard for the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship at the Winton Supersprint.
Round 1 winner and current Championship leader, Tom Sargent, makes his debut at the Victorian circuit, but it was New Zealander Callum Hedge who has taken pole position in Qualifying ahead of this weekend’s three races. Hedge had also never competed at the track until this weekend.
"I’m really happy to get my first pole position in the Australian Formula Ford Championship, it’s good to finally get that one ticked off but hopefully we can carry that form into the three races this weekend," said Hedge.
"Winton is our home test track so we have plenty of experience with adapting to the changing track conditions and that really played into our favour today.
This weekend, the top three are separated by only three points, with Tom Sargent at the top on 89 points. Sargent could only manage 11th on the grid, which will challenge the 17-year-old’s lead and see him seek to climb through the field.
Callum Hedge, who qualified on pole, is tied in second with Zac Soutar, both on 86 points. Soutar took the Round 2 victory, but will start Race 1 on the third row after qualifying in fifth.
Angelo Mouzouris set the second-fastest lap, with Courtney Price in third.
Races 1 and 2 of the Australian Formula Ford Championship at Winton will be broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
Aussie Oscar Piastri takes Formula Renault Eurocup lead to Monaco Grand Prix
Young Australian Oscar Piastri will do battle on the world stage this weekend as the Formula Renault Eurocup heads to Monaco for Rounds 5 & 6 of the 2019 season, racing alongside the Formula 1 World Championship.
Pisatri comes off a dominant weekend at Silverstone, where he took two wins and two pole positions, and he leads the championship heading to the Principality.
Piastri said:
"We’re off to Monaco for the third weekend of the Formula Renault Eurocup season. I didn’t have the best weekend there last year so I’m looking to make amends for that. We’ve had a good visit to Silverstone with a double win, so we have plenty of pace and momentum heading into Monte Carlo.
"It’s a unique track and a fan and driver favourite. We race with Formula 1 too, so track time is limited and there is only one practice session before qualifying. Turn one is difficult to get right – the wall comes at you pretty quickly. The middle sector is tight and twisty, but my favourite part of the circuit is sector three – it’s the fastest part of the track and when you get it right it is very rewarding."
Despite his dominance last weekend, The 18-year-old will have his work cut out, qualifying P6 for Round 5 and P5 for Round 6.
Kiwi Liam Lawson leads as Euroformula Open goes back-to-back
Just one week after the dramatic Pau Grand Prix, the Euroformula Open is back, this weekend racing at Hockenheim. Kiwi Liam Lawson leads the 16-car field on 64 points ahead of teammate Marino Sato on 58, despite crashing out of the Grand Prix. Lawson’s season has been a rollercoaster, despite it only being the third race weekend of the championship. On both occasions, he has won the first race of the weekend, and collided with a teammate in the second.
Australians Jack Doohan and Calan Williams will both also continue their Euroformula campaigns in Hockenheim.
McElrea looking to consolidate championship second as USF2000 supports Indy.
Hunter McElrea, 2018 Australian Formula Ford Championship winner, has not finished outside of the podium positions in USF2000, and will seek to consolidate his second-place in the championship standings as the series supports the Indy500.
Fellow Australian Cameron Shields comes into the one-race-weekend in P13, but managed a season-high P5 finish on the Indy road course last week, and will be looking to repeat the performance on the world stage this weekend.
Weekend Schedule
Saturday
USF2000 Freedom 75 - 8.45am AEST
Formula Ford Australia Race 1 - 12:05pm AEST (FOX SPORTS/KAYO SPORTS)
Formula Renault Eurocup Race 1 - 6.15pm AEST
Euroformula Open Race 1 - 11.30pm AEST
Sunday
Formula Ford Australia Race 2 - 8:15am AEST (FOX SPORTS/KAYO SPORTS)
Formula Ford Australia Race 3 - 3:50pm AEST
Formula Renault Eurocup Race 2 - 8.00pm AEST
Euroformula Open Race 2 - 9.00pm AEST