Brandon Maisano ready for the return of the Italian Formula 3 championship
The long summer break is over and the Italian Formula 3 series is about to return to the track. This coming weekend, competitors will be back in action at the Adria circuit and among those who can’t wait to get behind the cockpit is Brandon Maisano, one of the Ferrari Driver Academy youngsters.
Brandon, who has just turned eighteen, is looking forward to tackling the second part of the season in a more confident state of mind compared to the way things went in the first part of 2011.
“When you come into Formula 3 you face a far from simple task,” explains the Frenchman from Cannes. “The car is much more complex than the Formula Abarth I drove in 2010, which was in fact my first ever season in single-seaters.”
With four of the eight rounds completed, Maisano lies sixth in the classification, but not that far off the leaders. How does he feel, going into the last four events?
“The first part of the championship is behind me and it was definitely the hardest one. Now I expect to find fewer obstacles in my way, as we come to tracks I like, such as Adria, Vallelunga, Mugello and Monza. There are still a lot of points to play for and the gap between me and the top is not that big.”
How do you go about learning the ropes with a complex machine like a Formula 3 car?
“I gradually improved the feeling I got from the car, from every point of view. The races were a precious opportunity to gain experience, but above all, it was the tests that allowed me to get to grips with it. I think that understanding a Formula 3 car is an important step for every driver who aims to make a career of this sport. It is the first car that has characteristics and problems similar to a higher grade of single-seater that every youngster must tackle in his career.”
The last four rounds of the Italian Formula 3 series will be vital for you, in order to reach your goals. What targets have you set yourself?
“The final dream result is strongly linked to the prize up for grabs: I would so much like to get the chance to win the test drive in a Ferrari F1 car which goes to the championship winner and to the best rookie. If I managed to win outright, that would be the best, but winning the rookie award would not be too bad.”
At the end of 2011, you will have completed two seasons in single-seaters. And yet, there’s definitely a feeling that you are already contemplating moving up a category.
“Let’s see how the current season goes, because if the final result is very good, moving up to a superior championship is something that should be done. For my part, I think I have got a lot out of my time in Formula 3 and I feel ready for a new challenge.”
Do you come from a family with a motor sport background?
“No, my passion for driving was born when I was four. At the time my father ran a kart rental track, where obviously I spent a lot of time. From there we moved up to kart racing, reaching the highest professional level and after that came the chance to join the FDA and I made my single-seater debut in 2010.”
Being in the Ferrari Driver Programme means being totally immersed in the daily life of Maranello, where all activities for you youngsters are based. Does it leave you any free time to pursue other interests?
“I am lucky enough to be in the FDA, something I have always dreamed of. So my interests are something I experience every day. When I have some free time I like playing football, although I am always very careful not to hurt myself!”
Every driver has an idol, a reference that inspires him. Which driver have you most admired?
“I like Fernando Alonso. He is very good and I think his driving style is an example for many young drivers.
Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. (www.ferrari.com)
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