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It’s been a while since Ollie’s last
competitive outing but with less than a week to go to the opening two rounds of
the FBMW Europe championship in Barcelona, it can’t come quick enough.
The Claygate youngster celebrates his
18th birthday today and is spending it testing on his home track,
Magione, in Italy, in preparation for the opening rounds of the Formula BMW
Europe Championship which support the Formula 1 and GP2 championship races.
The Fisichella Motorsport International
driver was recently selected by the judges to be one of four drivers on the 2008
MSA British Race Academy Programme. This comes on the back of receiving one of
only four BMW Junior Scholarships. This season he heads into the new series,
determined to enjoy the atmosphere of the Formula 1 and GP2 weekend, whilst at
the same time concentrating on his bid to compete with the more experienced
drivers for the overall championship whilst bidding to win the Rookie
championship.
“I just can’t wait to get out there and
start racing. I haven’t raced competitively since my last kart race in Italy
last June. I’ve never been out of competition for so long, although I have done
about 40 days testing in a car”. “It was a big decision but I am sure it was the
right one because I am starting the season very confident that I have learnt a
lot”.
“Since I stopped serious kart racing,
I’ve been training and preparing myself even harder. It’s hard to believe that after 10 years in
karts my first single seat car race is finally here and I can put all the hard
work I’ve done with BMW and Pro Performance into practice and do what I enjoy
doing most, racing. I’m the fittest I’ve ever been and I’m completely focused on
achieving good results. I have a tough year ahead of me but I have an excellent
team of people behind me. I don’t intend letting them
down”.
The opening rounds of the new FBMW
European championship will kick off with free practice at the Circuit de
Cataluña on Friday, prior to the 20-minutes qualifying session on Saturday at
12.50. The first 13 lap race gets
underway at 17.45 with the second scheduled to start at 09.15 on Sunday
morning.
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