Formula Two Brentwood’s Luciano Bacheta

Brands set for Formula Two and GT Open action

The FIA Formula Two Championship heads to Brands Hatch this weekend in two days of racing action.

Britons Luciano Bacheta, Daniel McKenzie Dino Zamparelli and Hector Hurst will go head-to-head in the championship in what is expected to be the fastest racing the track has seen this year.

Leading the way is Brentwood-based Luciano Bacheta who has already won five of the eight races held so far, including a clean sweep of the first four races. The 22-year-old holds a 40.5 point advantage in the drivers’ standings and is a firm favourite to add a further two wins to his impressive tally.

He said: “It would be amazing to win at Brands Hatch. I rarely get to race in front of my friends and family so it will give me an edge to have people watching.

“Some people would say there’s more pressure on drivers on home soil but I think it’s good pressure. I love the track but haven’t raced here for a while, although my past three results [in Formula Palmer Audi] were second, third and first so I’m feeling confident.”

Daniel McKenzie will also be fighting for the top step of the podium this weekend. The 23-year-old from Poole lies seventh in the championship standings, having finished on the podium last time out at Spa-Francorchamps.

He said: “Last time I raced at Brands Hatch was in Formula 3 where I managed to put the car on pole position and go on to win the race against the likes of (Formula 1 racer) Jean Eric Vergne,

“I’m looking forward to taking the much-quicker F2 car around one of the best UK circuits and a track that has always been very close to my heart. I’m sure I will be challenging for that top step of the podium.”

The championship enters its second half at Brands Hatch, with the cars lapping faster than ever thanks to new Yokohama tyres and uprated brakes. The cars’ turbo engines feature an overboost system that has been combined with F1-style overtaking zones, providing thrilling races this year.

Supporting F2 will be the International GT Open Series for powerful supercars, with Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, Lotus and Corvette all represented on the grid. Former F1 drivers Andrea Montermini and Gianmaria Bruni star amongst the field, which will race on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, as will F2.

The sportscar theme continues with the MSA British Endurance Championship and Aston Martin GT4 challenge races, whilst the European F3 Open and historic Formula Junior events provide further single seater variety.