Experience paying off: Campos Racing testing round-up

Campos Racing is the only outfit on the 2024 FIA Formula 3 grid to not be fielding at least one rookie driver this year, and it’s a decision that has already shown its benefits according to Team Manager Andreau Romera.

The have plenty of F3 experience within its ranks this year, with Oliver Goethe and Sebastián Montoya, both of whom raced previously for Campos in 2022 briefly, joined by Spaniard Mari Boya.

The trio finished up in Sakhir pre-season testing with a lot of positives to carry into the new season according to Romera, who praised their early work with the team.

“Having three drivers who are not rookies was a good step for our team. Coming here, they don’t have to get used to the track in terms of the circuit itself, the lines and things like that.

“That allows us to do a super strong job and start to build confidence, learn and, having the lineup that we have, we build expectations.”

While none of the drivers topped the sessions in Bahrain, they did accumulate plenty of mileage and achieve what they’d set out to in terms of their run plans.

Having already built up a working relationship at the tail end of last year during the three post-season tests in 2023 and racing in Macau with Campos, the trio have settled in nicely according to the Team Manager.

“I have to say they have all integrated very well. Ollie already did a couple of laps with us two years ago and he already knows his stuff. They all did the six testing days last year as well as Macau on top of that, so it all helps a lot.

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“Mari, as he’s Spanish, has I think found family super quick here and is already well integrated. He’s living close to our workshop and coming in frequently, that’s helped a lot.

“Sebastián had been sick for the three days in Sakhir, so he didn’t reach the normal number of laps compared to his teammates, but he will be ready for the GP.

“We’re super happy because the three drivers are new to us this year, but we’ve known them from the past and that has helped the process a lot. Having three brilliant drivers is always going to give you a big plus, especially in the first round.”

Looking specifically at what they achieved in Sakhir during the three days of testing, the team logged 367 laps, a huge effort considering Montoya’s less than ideal situation.

Goethe was able to hit the ground running on day one to finish with the second fastest time, while Boya also finished second also in the morning session of day two.

The drivers work in understanding the track and extracting the maximum from lap to lap will pay dividends, with the Bahrain International Circuit one of toughest venues when it comes to tyre degradation.

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Ensuring the Pirelli tyres are in the best possible shape across the length of the race stint will be crucial says Romera.

Last season, Josep María Martí was imperious from reverse grid pole, driving off into the distance and managing the gap behind him to take the team’s first win of the 2023 campaign. A repeat of that would be a statement of intent to their rivals.

“I think this is one of the circuits that can change a lot from Free Practice to Qualifying. The weather can go from super-hot conditions to quite cold in comparison. So, I think one of the key points will be to understand how the track is, what the grip levels are because it’s super changeable.

“Apart from that, the tyre deg is super tough around this circuit. Understanding what the limit is and trying to avoid going over it is so crucial.”

Ahead of the season starting proper, the signals are clear that Campos Racing could be well placed to build on their impressive 2023 season. While Martí and the Spanish outfit couldn’t quite put together a title-winning campaign, the high points were very impressive.

With the trio of experienced and fast drivers looking as though they have made a solid start to their collaboration with the team, Campos’ drivers could be ones to look out for when the paddock reconvenes in Bahrain for the opening race weekend of the year.