Brazilian racer Enzo Fittipaldi has hailed the Charouz Racing System team atmosphere as “one of the best” that he’s ever experienced, insisting that the Czech side deserve a maiden race win following their near-miss in Round 1.

A collision with David Schumacher while fighting for the lead in Race 2 in Barcelona prevented the 19-year-old and Charouz from picking up a first win in the Championship. Fittipaldi has chosen to take the positives from fighting at the front rather than dwelling on the disappointment of missing out.

Signing with Charouz just days before the start of the season, without any pre-season testing time under his belt, Fittipaldi praised the team for getting him to that level so quickly.

“I didn't get nearly as much preparation as a lot of the other drivers because I missed pre-season testing,” said Fittipaldi. “But I feel up to speed now after the Barcelona race and the Jerez test. I felt up to speed right away and I am confident. I feel that we showed that we can be up there. I think that it’s just a matter of time.

Fittipaldi is chasing a maiden win in F3
Fittipaldi is chasing a maiden win in F3

“I fit in very well with Charouz. I honestly think that it’s one of the best team atmospheres that I’ve ever felt in all of my single-seater career. I am really enjoying it and I can see the potential. I know that we can do a really good job.

“We are all working together, and I know that at the end of the day it is all about teamwork. We have led laps together, we were at the front, and it would have been great to get a win, but it just didn't happen. It wasn't meant to be. We will try and fight for it again this weekend at F3.”

Neither Charouz nor Fittipaldi have ever won in Formula 3, but the Brazilian believes that the work that he, his teammates, and the staff are putting in warrants a trip to the top of the podium.

Asked how much a win would mean to the team, Fittipaldi replied: “I think it would be extremely important. We are working so hard as a team and when you work extremely hard, you want a reward. A win or a podium would be a reward.

Fittipaldi praised the hard work of Charouz behind the scenes
Fittipaldi praised the hard work of Charouz behind the scenes

“I am in my second year and I have good experience, and then there’s Logan (Sargeant) in his third year, on the back of driving for a top team last year. I think that’s really good for the team in general, we all get along really well. We’re both very competitive and I think that it’s good for Reshad (de Gerus) as a rookie to have two experienced drivers too. I try and help him as much as I can because this isn’t an easy Championship.

“I just have to do my job on track and perform as best as possible, but it would mean the world if we got that reward soon.”