ABRS Grad Gustavo Menezes Stepping Into Formula 3
We are very proud to see Allen Berg Racing Schools graduate, Gustavo Menezes, moving up the racing ladder! Good luck, Gustavo! Here is the official press release:
Prepared by: ProMedia Motorsports PR
MENEZES STEPS UP TO FIA FORMULA 3 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2014
California rising star reuniting with Van Amersfoort Racing
SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (January 8, 2014) – American rising star Gustavo Menezes will embark on the next step of his climb up the motorsports ladder in 2014, contesting the highly-regarded FIA Formula 3 European Championship. The talented Californian will we rejoin multiple junior formula champion Van Amersfoort Racing, having highlighted his standout skills as a rookie race winner in last year’s ATS Formel 3 Cup.
Menezes has been focused on reaching the upper echelons of motorsports ever since first getting behind the wheel. With that goal in mind, the highly-regarded American racer returns to European junior formula action in 2014, entering the renowned FIA Formula 3 European Championship. With an impressive inaugural F3 campaign already under his belt, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver is poised to be an immediate challenger for places on the post-race podiums.
A former title-winner in the karting ranks, and championship contender in the Star Mazda Championship, Menezes made the move to Europe last season, quickly showcasing his pace and racecraft as a rookie in the competitive German-based ATS Formel 3 Cup. Partnering with Netherland-based Van Amersfoort Racing, the 19 year-old Californian scored two wins against more experienced competition, ultimately finishing second in the Rookie of the Year fight, and fourth overall in the championship chase.
“2013 was a big year for Gustavo, and one which saw him achieve the results which we knew were possible from a driver of his natural talent and ability,” stated Menezes’ manager Chris Harfield. “The combination of Gustavo’s revived work ethic and his professional approach, combined with the supportive environment which was created by VAR, really played a big part in his success last season. I am delighted we are able to keep Gustavo with VAR for the next challenge of his career, and we are highly motivated to making sure Gustavo continues his development and achieves the maximum level of success in 2014.”
“We are really delighted to have Gustavo with us for the 2014 FIA F3 season,” commented Van Amersfoort Racing principal Frits Van Amersfoort. “Gustavo did a great job for us in the ATS team, and developed over the course of the season extremely well; winning races and making regular appearances on the podium. Gustavo has a unique way of lifting the team’s moral and making the race team a genuinely more energetic place. This is a skill which I am sure will serve him well in the coming season, and will see him make his transition into the FIA F3 Championship smooth and successful. Pre-season testing has been very encouraging, and we are all very excited to getting the season underway.”
The 2014 edition of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, which has helped develop/train multiple Formula One drivers and champions, will feature 11 events throughout Europe at some of the premier tracks, including the Silverstone Circuit, Hockenheimring, Circuit Spa-Francorchamps, Red Bull Ring, Nurburgring, and Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. Running in conjunction with both the German DTM touring car series, and the FIA World
Endurance Championship, Menezes will pilot a Dallara chassis with Volkswagen powerplant, and new for 2014, utilize a six-speed paddle shifter.
The quest for FIA Formula 3 European Championship supremacy begins on April 19-20, with the opening rounds at Silverstone in England. Menezes will contest the entire 2014 campaign, as well the year-end prestigious Macau Grand Prix in Asia. Prior to the action getting underway, the Van Amersfoort Racing pilot will prepare via continued pre-season testing in Europe.
Additional information on Gustavo Menezes can be obtained from his personal website – GustavoMenezes.com – or by following him on Twitter at FollowGustavo and on Facebook at GustavoMenezes28. For direct contact, please visit GustavoMenezes.com/contact
About Gustavo Menezes: At 19 years-of-age, Santa Monica, California’s Gustavo Menezes is considered one of the most promising young race drivers in America. Menezes began racing karts at the age of six, earning multiple championships, both at the regional and national level. In 2009 and 2010, Menezes contested an international schedule that included the WSK International Series and various major events in Europe and the United States, running for Italian karting manufacturer Tony Kart in the KF3 and KF2 categories. Menezes made his full-time junior formula car debut in 2011, earning one podium result en route to finishing eighth in the Star Mazda Championship as one of the youngest racers in the series. He additional ran a limited Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 and Formula Renault 2.0 ALPS campaign, securing multiple top-10s. He returned to the Star Mazda Championship the following year, securing two top-fives and 12 top-10s. Menezes contested the German-based ATS Formel 3 Cup this past season with multiple series champion Van Amersfoort Racing, scoring two wins en route to second in the rookie standings, and fourth in the title fight. In 2014, the California up-and-comer returns to the cockpit, piloting a Van Amersfoort Racing entry in the highly-regarded FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
