Alex Fontana To Return To GP3 In Budapest

Swiss driver Alex Fontana will make a return to the GP3 Series this weekend in Budapest, as the 19-year-old teams up with Jenzer Motorsport. Fontana drove in the Series last year, at Spa-Francorchamps where he finished 14th and 6th respectively in the two races.

Throughout the 2012 season, Alex Fontana has enjoyed a relatively successful Formula 2 season. However, this weekend will see the 19-year-old team up with fellow countryman Patric Niederhauser and Robert Visoiu for round six of the GP3 season. Jenzer Motorsport have already been victorious twice this season, and offer Alex Fontana a superlative chance to shine within the highly competitive Formula 1 feeder series.

“I’ve been in constant contact with the Jenzer team since the beginning of the season.” Explained Alex Fontana, “Due to a series of circumstances including overlaps with the Formula 2 Championship dates, so far it’s been impossible to get a taste of GP3. I’m therefore delighted that the team turned to me on this occasion. For a young driver, racing in the shadow of the Formula 1 circus, is a unique and incredibly stimulating experience. Some of the world’s best drivers from my age group race in GP3 and I’ve never even seen the Hungaroring track. I’m hoping I’ll be able to adapt quickly giving that we’ll only have one free practice session.”

Alex Fontana will be driving the third Jenzer Motorsport car this weekend, which has been driven in previous races by Jakub Klasterka and Facu Regalia. Jenzer Motorsport’s team principal, Andreas Jenzer, is confident that Alex will be a valuable addition to his team this weekend.

“We had Alex with us last year for the race at Spa where he immediately took the car into the points zone.” Enthused Andreas Jenzer, “So we already know him and we have the advantage that he knows the team and the way we work. We don’t expect miracles, but we’re sure that he’ll make his contribution to the team, a contribution that I hope will prove to be important in terms of the future too.”

Alex Fontana will naturally be itching to take to the tricky Hungaroring circuit once free practice gets underway early Friday morning, as the 19-year-old strives to quickly learn the characteristics of the circuit. Once free practice is over, he’ll be plunged into the all-important qualifying session Saturday morning prior to race one later that same day.

Picture Copyright © Malcolm Griffiths/GP3 Series Media Service