EuroFormula Open front-runner Sean Walkinshaw resumes his 2014 campaign at Monza in Italy next weekend, 27th/28th September, and with only four races remaining on the championship calendar the penultimate event of the season could well be one of the most fiercely contested of the year.
With eight points scoring finishes from the 12 races contested so far, including a best result of fifth, the Campos Racing driver is more determined than ever to seal his first podium in the headline class as he bids to climb the driver standings from his current placing of 10th position.
Renowned for its high-speed slip-streaming battles, Monza always provides some of the best and most enthralling EuroFormula action. Proof of that came last season in the corresponding event when Sean, then competing in the Copa Class for previous generation cars, delivered a highly impressive showing in the races after a problematic qualifying.
This time around at the wheel of his Dallara F312, the Chipping Norton driver is determined to produce one of his best qualifying runs of the season and put himself in the best position possible to challenge for Monza silverware.
“It’s always fantastic racing at Monza, the track has so much history and it’s an incredible place to drive and race a EuroFormula car”, said the 20-year-old, “We’ve had a good, consistent season up to now with Campos but we’re still searching for our first podium and I’m determined to try and make that happen next weekend.
“There have been a few things which have gone against us this year, but our race pace has always been strong and we’ve definitely had more and more consistency as the season has progressed. If we can get qualifying right and be on the first three rows, we’ll have a great chance of some top results and a shot at closing down the next couple of guys in the championship.”
First though, before travelling out to Monza, Sean will be at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit this weekend, 20th/21st September, with the SWR Caterham F1 Driver Development Programme Team which will be embarking on its penultimate event of the year in the BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
As team owner of SWR Caterham, Sean has had just as busy a year off track as he has on the track with his EuroFormula commitments and will be hoping for a continuation of the excellent form shown in the past couple of rounds by the squad’s drivers Jordan Albert and Diego Borrelli.
Returning to next weekend’s EuroFormula Open action, following free practice at Monza on Friday, 26th September, qualifying for round 13 will get underway at 09.25 (UK time) on Saturday, 27th September, with the first race of the weekend beginning at 14.00 (UK time).
On Sunday, 28th September, round 14 qualifying is scheduled to start at 08.00 (UK time) with the race following at 11.30 (UK time). Both of the Monza contests will, as ever, be screened live across Europe on Motors TV.
Provisional 2014 EuroFormula Open Standings (after Rd12):
10th Sean Walkinshaw, 35pts
Provisional 2014 Spanish F3 Championship Standings (after Rd4):
10th Sean Walkinshaw, 13pts