The Worldwide System 3000 championship was born 40 years in the past. The ultimate rung on the single-seater ladder earlier than System 1 started in 1985 and loved a 20-year run, with future F1 race winners Jean Alesi, Olivier Panis and Juan Pablo Montoya amongst its champions earlier than the class was changed by GP2 in 2005.
However a number of distinguished drivers, amongst them winners in F1, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Indianapolis 500, additionally realized their craft within the class with out fairly ascending the highest of the pile.
On this article, we try and rank the perfect drivers who didn’t fairly handle to assert the F3000 title, contemplating their relative expertise, deficit to the eventual champion, errors versus misfortune, and standout moments as qualifying standards. Their performances outdoors of F3000 should not thought of.
Though no F3000 runner-up misplaced out by a smaller margin than Erik Comas, who tied on factors with Alesi in 1989, he’s exempt from the checklist as he went on to win the title the next season. Montoya (1997) and Nick Heidfeld (1998) are omitted for a similar motive, profitable the title within the 12 months after their slim defeats.
A number of drivers simply missed out on making our prime 10. These embody Emanuele Pirro, who completed within the prime three in 1985-86 driving Onyx Marches, and 1990 runner-up Eric van de Poele. His three victories that 12 months aboard a GA Motorsport Reynard 90D, together with on the tough streets of Pau and Birmingham, got here when a Lola T90/50 was the automotive to have.
The late Gil de Ferran was a race winner in 1993 and after sticking with Paul Stewart Racing went into the ultimate spherical of 1994 with the joint lead of the standings – however would doubtless have been comfortably clear and not using a gas line failure in Barcelona and being taken out of the lead by Emmanuel Clerico in Estoril.
And whereas Heidfeld took the 1999 crown with nearly double the tally finally mustered by Tremendous Nova’s Jason Watt, the favored Dane beat the McLaren junior in a head-to-head on the Nurburgring finale to clinch the runner-up spot – which adopted ending third in 1997 and fourth in 1998 with Tremendous Nova satellite tv for pc squad Den Bla Avis.
10. Mark Webber
Webber’s kind tailed off in the direction of the tip of 2001, however he received three races – the identical as champion Wilson
Picture by: Clive Rose / Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (2001)Crew/Automobile: Tremendous Nova Racing Lola B99/50Wins: 4 (3 in 2001)Poles: 2Points deficit: 32
The long run nine-time F1 race winner joined David Sears’s Tremendous Nova workforce for his second season in F3000 and was Justin Wilson’s closest challenger for the title earlier than his kind dipped late on.
Webber had received on the second time of asking with European Arrows in 2000 and instantly took a podium when 2001 commenced with a maiden journey to Brazil – though was dumped out of the factors by a penalty for overtaking earlier than a restart. Wins at Imola, Monaco and Magny-Cours – the primary two from pole – underlined why Flavio Briatore entrusted him with Benetton F1 take a look at duties, however a spate of non-finishes to finish the season lent a one-sided look to the ultimate standings.
A primary lap conflict at Hockenheim was adopted by a late spin in Hungary, firing into the Les Combes boundaries when the sector was launched from behind the protection automotive at Spa and being rammed from behind as soon as extra on the opening lap at Monza. But Webber had proved his level and graduated to F1 for 2002 with aplomb.
9. Nicolas Minassian
Minassian started 2000 by profitable for Tremendous Nova at Imola, and ran Junqueira near the crown
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (2000)Crew/Automobile: Tremendous Nova Racing Lola B99/50Wins: 4 (3 in 2000)Poles: 1 (0 in 2000)Factors deficit: 3
One other Tremendous Nova driver on the checklist, Minassian misplaced out to fellow third-year driver Bruno Junqueira after an entertaining year-long scrap. After a confidence-damaging season at McLaren’s junior arm, West Competitors, in 1998, the Frenchman rebuilt his status with start-up squad Child Jensen Racing throughout a 1999 season that peaked with a dominant drive at Silverstone.
Becoming a member of Tremendous Nova for 2000, Minassian beat Petrobras rival Junqueira after getting the higher getaway at Imola, however discovered himself 20 factors behind by the point the championship arrived at Magny-Cours following a hat-trick for the Brazilian. But Minassian obtained himself again on phrases with back-to-back wins, warding off Sebastien Bourdais in France and protecting a charging Wilson behind on the A1-Ring, to arrange an exhilarating finish to the 12 months.
However after each drivers failed to attain in blended circumstances at Hockenheim, fourth in Hungary as Junqueira received once more left Minassian an excessive amount of to do on the Spa finale – the place he bravely raced to 3rd regardless of reducing his thigh with a Stanley knife. He turned a prime sportscar racer with Peugeot and as we speak runs the IDEC Sport workforce.
8. Giorgio Pantano
Pantano beat Bourdais at Spa to maintain his 2002 title hopes alive, however the Coloni man in the end got here up brief earlier than shining once more at Durango in 2003
Picture by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (2002)Crew/Automobile: Coloni Lola B02/50Wins: 6 (3 in 2002)Poles: 3 (1 in 2002)Factors deficit: 2
That Pantano obtained as near profitable the 2002 F3000 title as he did, regardless of driving for a Coloni workforce that had scored simply three factors the earlier season, speaks volumes for the Italian’s galvanising qualities. These have been demonstrated once more in 2003 when, in need of funds and choices, he was handed a free drive by Durango and duly took its first wins since 1998 – and was solely denied second within the standings by a remaining spherical electronics glitch that lower his engine.
Already a winner in his rookie season at Astromega within the 2001 Monza finale, Pantano responded effectively to shedding what he believed was a nailed-on drive at Tremendous Nova to Bourdais and pressured the Frenchman right into a remaining lap mistake to open his account for the 12 months in Barcelona. Errors resulted in DNFs at Monaco and Nurburgring, however he was by no means off the rostrum within the remaining 5 races – taking wins at Hockenheim and Spa, solely to lose out in a must-win Monza finale when well-placed to pounce on chief Bjorn Wirdheim.
The Swede was dominant in his second 12 months at Arden in 2003, however Pantano gave him a good run for his cash, taking two extra wins at Barcelona and Magny-Cours to safe what turned out to be an sad commencement to F1 with Jordan for 2004.
7. Franck Lagorce
Flanked by David Coulthard and Gil de Ferran after profitable at Silverstone, Lagorce’s late season stumbles opened the door for Boullion
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1994)Crew/Automobile: Apomatox Reynard 94DWins: 4 (2 in 1994)Poles: 5 (4 in 1994)Factors deficit: 2
The qualifying king of F3000 in 1994, Lagorce was the one driver to start out from pole greater than as soon as, a feat he managed at half of the races. But the Frenchman missed out on the title to Jean-Christophe Boullion after a remaining spherical showdown because the DAMS racer’s late surge helped him surpass Lagorce and de Ferran.
The shape man on the finish of 1993, having received the final two races for DAMS, Lagorce’s attacking fashion proved completely suited to the Reynard 94D. Though Apomatox had by no means received a race earlier than, Lagorce swept the sector apart at Silverstone and repeated the feat at Hockenheim after blitzing previous poleman Guillaume Gomez (DAMS).
Second at Enna to de Ferran, Lagorce was shaping as much as notch one other podium at a moist Spa when he made the decision to pit for slick tyres. It proved a catastrophic misjudgement when rain resumed, costing him any likelihood of factors – whereas additionally opening the door for Boullion to enter competition.
Boullion received once more at Estoril, the place Lagorce fell off the highway whereas mendacity third and in the end failed to attain. That meant Boullion was only a level behind heading to the finale at Magny-Cours, the place as soon as once more Lagorce couldn’t flip one-lap superiority into victory. Though Apomatox had the sting in moist qualifying, the race was dry and favoured the DAMS automotive’s set-up, permitting Boullion to overtake Lagorce and edge away. Two F1 begins on the finish of 1994 with Ligier have been unrepresentative of his potential.
6. Pedro Lamy
Lamy got here very near denying Panis the 1993 title, regardless of working year-old Reynard
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1993)Crew/Automobile: Crypton Racing Reynard 92DWins: 1Poles: 2Points deficit: 1
In his one and solely season of F3000, Lamy got here agonisingly near beating Panis to the crown regardless of utilizing a year-old automotive. However like Lagorce, self-inflicted errors proved pricey.
Becoming a member of the Crypton Racing workforce that had delivered Luca Badoer the 1992 title, the German F3 champion took to F3000 rapidly and completed second on his debut. Victory at Pau’s third spherical underlined that persevering with to make use of a Reynard 92D with a Mader-tuned DFV was no vital hindrance.
Lamy might have received at Enna however, after slowing a lap too early within the perception he’d received, spun off in his bid to repass David Coulthard and threw away six factors. Extra went begging with spins on the Nurburgring and Spa, the latter whereas pressuring Panis for the lead. Fourth-place finishes at each races have been unrepresentative of his tempo and, though he closed in on Panis with a podium at Magny-Cours when his rival spun off, a poor qualifying on the Nogaro finale left him susceptible to changing into embroiled in another person’s accident.
Making his F1 debut earlier than the ultimate two rounds with Lotus confirmed that the Portuguese was a person in a rush, however his F1 profession was disrupted by an enormous leg-breaking take a look at crash in 1994 from which he did effectively to return with Minardi and in the end win 5 instances on the Nurburgring 24 Hours.
5. Pierluigi Martini
Martini continued to race in F3000 after putting second in 1986, scoring March’s solely win of a dire 1988 at Enna
Picture by: Sutton Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1986)Crew/Automobile: Pavesi Corse Ralt RT20Wins: 4 (3 in 1986)Poles: 2Points deficit: 2
Following a troublesome rookie season in F1 with an unreliable Minardi, Martini picked himself up and set about proving to the grand prix paddock what it was lacking when he rejoined Luciano Pavesi’s Ralt squad for 1986.
Reigniting a partnership that yielded the 1983 European F3 title, the Italian missed out on the F3000 title to extra constant compatriot Ivan Capelli (Genoa March), however received extra races than the champion as soon as he’d traded a year-old automotive for the most recent mannequin at Imola.
Having scored no factors from the opening 4 rounds, Martini collected back-to-back wins at Imola and Mugello – a 3rd would nearly definitely have adopted had he not been overzealous in his efforts to move Gabriele Tarquini at Enna and spun to the again earlier than charging to second. Second in Birmingham, on a day solely half factors have been rewarded when rain stopped play, he received once more on the Jarama finale however it had come too late to disclaim Capelli.
Sticking with Pavesi for 1987, persevering with to make use of his 1986 automotive, yielded little reward, however he was very good with First Racing in 1988. Martini recorded the one win all season for the disappointing March 88B at Enna after securing a deserved recall from Minardi. His giant-killing exploits would give the little workforce its finest days in F1 and earned him prime spot in our checklist of Minardi’s biggest drivers.
4. Kenny Brack
Brack got here out of the blocks quickest when F3000 went one-make in 1996, however the Tremendous Nova driver in the end misplaced out to Muller
Picture by: Sutton Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1996)Crew/Automobile: Tremendous Nova Racing Lola T96/50Wins: 4 (3 in 1996)Poles: 5 (3 in 1996)Factors deficit: 3
As in 1986 with Martini and Emanuele Naspetti in 1991, Brack ended the 1996 F3000 season with extra wins than the champion after a dramatic and controversial conclusion at Hockenheim.
Victory for Madgwick within the remaining spherical of F3000’s open period at Magny-Cours in 1995 meant the union between Brack and Tremendous Nova was anticipated to shine when all people was armed with Lola T96/50s. He duly opened 1996 with a win on the Nurburgring and added additional victories from pole at Silverstone and the primary of two visits to Hockenheim.
However the consistency of his foremost title rival, RSM Marko’s Jorg Muller, meant the pair have been cut up by simply three factors heading again to Hockenheim for the ultimate spherical – with Muller forward. The lengthy and in need of the scenario was the pair crashed into one another whereas battling for the lead, placing Muller out. However Brack was unable to capitalise when he was black flagged, to the workforce’s fury, guaranteeing Muller received the title.
Each have been neglected by F1 in any case, with Brack occurring to win the Indy 500 in 1999 whereas Muller headed for a profession with BMW in sportscars and touring automobiles.
3. Mike Thackwell
Masterful drives from Thackwell, comparable to at Spa on the crumbling monitor, weren’t rewarded with the inaugural title
Picture by: Sutton Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1985)Crew/Automobile: Ralt Racing Ralt RT20Wins: 4 (3 in 1985)Poles: 5Points deficit: 7
The one motive the 1984 European F2 champion isn’t greater on this checklist is as a result of he was anticipated to ship the products when F3000 emerged from F2’s ashes in 1985. Bafflingly neglected by F1, Thackwell remained with Ron Tauranac’s manufacturing unit Ralt workforce in opposition to a discipline largely comprised of his vanquished rivals from F2 and duly opened the brand new period with victory in blended circumstances at Silverstone.
His Bridgestone tyres have been normally superior to Avon’s providing, which might turn out to be normal from 1986, and the Kiwi made good use of them – though was often undone by mishaps that weren’t his doing. Thackwell valiantly charged again to second at Thruxton after his entrance wing was broken at first by Tarquini, was main at Estoril when his rev limiter failed, crashed after a misunderstanding whereas attempting to move team-mate John Nielsen at Vallelunga, and was out after gathering the spun Michel Ferte at Pau.
Victories on a deteriorating monitor at Spa and with an overheating DFV at Enna meant he reclaimed the lead of the standings from Pirro, regardless of a tyre mishap on the Osterreichring, however a primary nook conflict with Pirro on the Donington finale opened the door for Christian Danner’s BSA March to scoop the crown.
Thackwell made sporadic F3000 appearances in 1986 and scored the primary win for John Judd’s new Honda-badged BV engine when he beat Pirro at Pau, having earlier netted fourth in a Lola at Silverstone. He stepped away from motorsport in 1988, feeling disillusioned, having not achieved the accolades his expertise certainly merited.
2. Tomas Enge
Enge briefly held the title in 2002, however it in the end went to Bourdais after the Czech’s factors from Hungary have been stripped
Picture by: Peter Spinney / Motorsport Pictures
Finest Consequence: third (2001 and 2002)Crew/Automobile: Nordic Racing Lola B99/50/Arden Lola B02/50Wins: 6 (3 in 2002)Poles: 8 (4 in 2002)Factors deficit: 6 in 2002
The irony of Tomas Enge’s inclusion right here is that, for a brief interval in 2002, he was truly the champion. However being docked 10 factors for victory in Hungary when a random medication take a look at discovered hashish in his system in the end demoted the Czech to 3rd in that 12 months’s standings, as Bourdais claimed the crown for Tremendous Nova.
Enge had proved himself a winner with West Competitors at Hockenheim in 2000, his second full season in F3000. He upped his recreation in 2001 upon becoming a member of Nordic, taking wins at Barcelona and the Nurburgring, though team-mate Wilson had the sting within the title race.
After taking in F1 with three begins for Prost on the finish of 2001, Enge was the lacking piece of the jigsaw puzzle at Arden in 2002 and his expertise proved invaluable as Christian Horner’s workforce obtained on prime of Lola’s new B02/50. After a possible Brazil win went begging with inadequate gas within the tank to achieve the end, Enge confirmed it was no fluke by dominating on the A1-Ring and Silverstone.
Heading off Bourdais beneath fixed stress at Magny-Cours was even higher and, though he suffered a setback in being taken out at Hockenheim, the ‘victory’ in Hungary put him forward of Bourdais with two races to go. Engine failure for the Frenchman at Monza meant Enge took the crown on the highway, however it proved cruelly short-lived.
An undesired comeback in 2004 with the brand new Ma-Con workforce yielded no extra wins, however ensured he banked extra quickest laps and podiums than every other driver in championship historical past.
1. Alex Zanardi
Poor ending report, usually brought on by unhealthy luck, hampered Zanardi’s 1991 title bid with IBR
Picture by: Andre Vor / Sutton Pictures
Finest Consequence: 2nd (1991)Crew/Automobile: Il Barone Rampante Reynard 91DWins: 2Poles: 3Points deficit: 5
Had it not been for the puncture that stranded Zanardi whereas heading in the right direction for victory at Enna, or {the electrical} fault that price him second place at Le Mans, the Italian would definitely have overwhelmed fellow rookie Christian Fittipaldi (Pacific Reynard) to the crown in 1991.
Even accounting for the truth that many of the anticipated title contenders have been in Lolas that proved incapable of taking up Reynard – leaving Allan McNish, Damon Hill and Marco Apicella out of the image – Zanardi’s 12 months was enormously spectacular.
Victory on his first begin for Il Barone Rampante at Vallelunga (though not his F3000 debut, as he had made an unmemorable cameo at Dijon in 1989) confirmed that Zanardi meant enterprise, and he additionally had the sector lined at Mugello. When he completed, he was by no means decrease than second. However a poor ending price let him down.
Extra factors have been additionally misplaced to the driveshaft failure that put him out at Pau whereas working forward of eventual winner Jean-Marc Gounon, though Zanardi was at fault for his different non-score on a wayward day at Hockenheim.
That he got here up simply 5 factors shy after a head-to-head at Nogaro, regardless of scoring in simply six of the ten rounds, attests to how spectacular Zanardi was – some extent that won’t shock anyone who noticed what he was able to aboard a Chip Ganassi Reynard-Honda in Indycars…
Zanardi’s 1991 performances earned him an F1 call-up by the tip of the 12 months with Jordan
Picture by: Motorsport Pictures
On this article
James Newbold
Basic
Mark Webber
Giorgio Pantano
Tomas Enge
Nicolas Minassian
Alex Zanardi
Kenny Brack
Franck Lagorce
Pedro Lamy
Pierluigi Martini
Mike Thackwell
Be the primary to know and subscribe for real-time information electronic mail updates on these matters
Subscribe to information alerts
