Archive for 2009
Riki Christodoulou has been presented with the 2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series “Rookie of the Year” Award.
The 21-year-old from Sutton Coldfield finished fifth in the championship standings after netting a win, two seconds plus one third placing in the 20-race series. He collected his spoils at the annual SRO Motorsports Group awards held in West Sussex.
“It was gratifying to get this award which now brings the curtain down on my first season in the Formula Three category,” said Riki.
“It was an opportunity to reflect on this season because once the chequered flag was waved in the final race back in September, much of my thoughts have been about next year.”
Forty-eight hours later “Christo” attended the annual AUTOSPORT Awards in London (6 Dec), accompanying his cousin, Adam, who was a finalist for the BRDC Award. Riki rubbed shoulders with Britain’s last three Formula One World Champions Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and Damon Hill at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
“It was a really cool evening and gave me the opportunity to chat with a lot of people,” Riki added. “I spoke to a number of drivers, Jenson Button’s father, John, Red Bull Racing’s Team Principal, Christian Horner, plus actor James Corden, from the TV programme Gavin & Stacey, who was an incredibly funny guy.”
Riki, who is sponsored by Alpinestars and British Car Registrations, attended The British Racing Drivers’ Club’s Superstars and Rising Stars luncheon in London today (7 Dec) – “Christo” having been selected for the Superstars initiative which supports young drivers from a cross-section of motor racing disciplines and championships for a second year.
Last month, Riki helped to raise money for BBC’s annual Children In Need appeal. Teaming up with cousin, Adam, and TV motoring presenter, Tiff Needell, “Christo” finished third in a 24 hour “motor race” driving a sportscar on a racing simulator at workshops in Southampton.
Riki concluded: “I’ve attended a number of functions in recent weeks, including another BRDC event in which Grand Prix winner Mark Webber gave an informative presentation, but after today’s event it’s a case of getting back to focusing on 2010.
“This year’s racing programme came together literally days before the season began in April and that was not ideal. I want to be in a position to announce my 2010 plans early in the New Year.”
BBC Children in Need 24 Hour Simulator Race.
23rd Nov 2009
On Friday the 20th I took part in the BBC Children in Need Charity 24 hr Simulator Race at The Race Centre in Southampton.
Including myself, Team Autosport also featured British drivers Adam Christodoulou, James Calado and Harry Tincknell – and very briefly ex-F1 driver and TV presenter Tiff Needell and a BBC News reporter (called Steve – I know no more!) who each did short stints then left the other 23 hours and 15 minutes to us four!
A total of ten teams entered including Team Virgin, Mclaren Racing and Team Porsche to name just a few.
The race was like the real thing – we were driving LMP1 cars around Laguna Seca (in the US) - with pit stops every half an hour for driver changes, cold tyres out of the pit lane and night time racing which made it extremly hard to see where we were going!
We battled hard with Team Virgin to secure an eventual 3rd place and the fastest lap at the end of a very tiring racing session. Most of the teams had about eight drivers so it gave them longer rest periods while the four of us didn’t get much sleep at all… just three hours each in the end!
It really surprised me how long 24 hours actually lasts when you’re in a continuous race, and so now I have even more respect for the Le Mans teams and drivers after discovering how easy it is to lose concentration and make a mistake.
A big thanks to the Race Centre for putting on a great event which raised a fantastic £7000 for a very worthy cause – the 2009 Children in Need appeal – and also to all the other drivers who competed over the course of the day.
BRDC Evening with Mark Webber
16th Nov 2009
Last week, I and a number of other drivers from the Rising Stars/Superstars programmes were lucky to attended ‘An Evening with Mark Webber’ at the BRDC Clubhouse at Silverstone.
Mark gave us a great insight to his past and present career, and what he has to do to remain a world class a racing driver in the world of Formula 1.
I really enjoyed the chilled out conversation with Mark. He talked about all the sacrifices he had to make when he was younger to get there. It took a little bit of pressure off my shoulders because as a driver it can become very hard to keep pushing 110% when you might not know what or where you’ll be racing in the coming months, so for Mark to say he was at one point in the same position that I’m in my career gave me even more drive to not give up and to keep pushing.
Once again, I would like to thank the BRDC for helping young drivers like myself, and for putting on yet another enjoyable evening.
- West Midlander is the highest-placed Formula 3 “rookie” and second best placed British driver
Riki Christodoulou fervently believes that his maiden 2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series season in which he was the highest-placed “rookie” will stand him in good stead for next year – whichever category the Sutton Coldfield race ace ultimately chooses.
The 21-year-old finished fifth in the championship standings after “Christo” netted a win plus two seconds and one third placing in the 20-race series – his first year at this level. All four drivers who finished ahead of him had previously raced in F3 with three of them having two full season’s of race experience.
“My first season in F3 was very good but I feel it should have been better,” reflects Riki who finished second in the Mirror.co.uk Challenge Cup – presented to the highest-placed British driver. “I was fast throughout the season but was involved in accidents, caused by others, too many times which really hurt my Championship hopes.
“Scoring my maiden F3 win was the best feeling while the low point was at Spa in Belgium, one of my favourite tracks, where I recorded two non-finishes which was a disaster for my championship aspirations.”
“Christo” drove a Dallara-Mercedes for the Daventry-based Fortec Motorsport team – a hi-tec single-seater capable of 170mph built from advanced composites and loaded with aerodynamic wings and flaps.
Riki continued: “There is so much that can be finely tuned to suit the different tracks we race on.I did my homework before the season began and continued to learn as the year progressed. If I decide to remain in F3, I will be stronger all round with a year’s racing under my belt. I know the circuits, the car, the tyres and have been in qualifying and race situations.”
“Christo” is already planning for next year’s racing. He says: “I train everyday with my trainer, bright and early before starting work. I have a set programme throughout the week which involves Cardio Vascular work – I love running – and weights.
Riki will be awarded “Top Rookie” silverware at the British F3 Awards early next month (4 Dec) and is likely to be attending the Autosport Awards two days later in London where he will be rubbing shoulders with reigning Formula One World champion Jenson Button.
“I’m considering a number of different options and opportunities as well as attempting to put the necessary funding in place for 2010,” concluded “Christo”.
The End of my Rookie F3 Season.
21st Sep 2009
My weekend at Brands Hatch went very well. It was a consistant and solid performance during testing, qualifying and the races.
The team gave me a very good car from the off, which I was able to drive hard immediately and let me get up into the times. First quali should of been my first pole position of the year, but I ended up third due to another driver slowing down and wrecking my last corner. I was more than fast enough for the front row start, but that’s the nature racing and these things happen.
In the second qualifying session I was third again which left me very happy with my results and looking forward to the races.
Race 1 was very processional. I remained on Chilton’s rear wing most of the race but couldn’t get that bit closer for the required lunge, so I took third at the chequered flag.
In race two I got a great start, and powered around Ricciardo. I was close to Chilton going into turn one but had to back out of a move. Again I was on his bumper throughout the race and ultimately finished in 2nd.
It was a very consistant weekend with good results, I just wish most of my races this year were had been like this. If I hadn’t had so many DNF’s this season I know a top 3 finish in the championship is where I would have been in 2009, but thats the way the cookie crumbles sometimes!
CHRISTODOULOU SIGNS OFF MAIDEN FORMULA 3 SEASON IN STYLE
20th Sep 2009
- Riki achieves best combined qualifying and race results of the season
- “Christo” nets creditable fifth place – second-highest British driver – in final championship standings
Riki Christodoulou brought the curtain down in style on his maiden Formula Three season by achieving his best combined qualifying and race results in the final rounds at Brands Hatch last weekend (19-20 Sep).
Having qualified third for both 22-lap (50.62 mile) races around the demanding 2.301 miles “Grand Prix” circuit in Kent, the 21-year-old Sutton Coldfield youngster went on to net third and second places in the final two races – results that earned “Christo” fifth place in the final Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series standings.
In the opening race, “Christo” finished 16.135secs behind championship winner and race winner Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) but just 0.604secs behind second-placed Max Chilton after pressuring him throughout the race. Riki was a mere 0.967secs behind Chilton at the chequered flag in race two to earn the West Midlander’s best race result since scoring his maiden F3 victory in July.
“Race one was pretty processional,” reflected Riki. “I was in Max’s mirrors throughout and although I’m sure I had the faster car, I just couldn’t find a way past him. I made a good start in race two and after an early Safety Car period, my car was well balanced and settled – unlike in the opening laps when I slid wide onto the grass on one occasion.
“I was within a second of Max throughout the race after the Safety Car but it’s so, so difficult to get close enough to have a lunge due to the ‘disturbed’ airflow from the aerodynamics off the car in front.
“I’m highly delighted for myself and the team but on reflection also a little disappointed that this couldn’t have come together a little earlier in the season which could have given me a top-three championship position.
“But this weekend was all about finishing my racing year off in style and I’ve produced a good solid performance, in the top-three throughout in these final races, which bodes well for the future. I sincerely thank the team, Fortec Motorsport, my sponsors Alpinestars and British Car Registrations, plus my father, for all their support during the season.”
Brands Hatch nr Fawkham, Kent, Rds 19 & 20:
Race 1: Qualifying Pos: 3rd (1m 17.745s) Dry/cloudy. Race Result: 3rd (Dry/bright).
Race 2: Qualifying Pos: 3rd (1:17.852) Dry/bright. Race Result: 2nd (Dry/cloudy).
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series*: 1 Ricciardo (AUS) 275 points; 2 Grubmuller (A) 188; 3 van der Zande (NL) 178; 3; 4 Chilton (GB) 171; 5 Christodoulou (GB) 130; 6 Buzaid (BRA) 109. (Final provisional standings).
My Weekend In The Algarve
14th Sep 2009
I was racing at the new Algarve circuit at the weekend for the penultimate races in my rookie British F3 season. It was a very tough and hot couple of days which started well, but in the second race things went wrong and I disappointingly only made it to the 2nd corner.
Each session during testing I was getting faster, as were the other cars. There were many Euro F3 teams racing as well this weekend, which made the competition even tougher, but which was something I was enjoying.
Qualifying went well for me in both sessions, again I improved each time. I got P10 and P7 with all the Euro drivers in the mix. In Race 1 I finished 7th, after quite a bit of action during the race.
But Race 2 was a different story. I got to turn one still in 7th position, but as the field braked for turn two I was was hit from behind by one of the Euro drivers which bent my rear suspension – it ended my race. I was absolutely gutted because I knew the car had been improving all weekend and it was looking forward to notching up more well-earned points for my Championship.
But that’s what happens in racing and I’m keeping my chin up. I’ll be at Brands Hatch GP this weekend for the final round and will be giving it my all to finish my season on a high.
CHRISTODOULOU CONSOLIDATES SIXTH PLACE IN STANDINGS
13th Sep 2009
- Sutton Coldfield driver endures mixed fortunes in Portugal
- “Christo” aiming to deliver points haul at Brands Hatch finale
Riki Christodoulou heads for the final two races at Brands Hatch next weekend (20 Sep) in his maiden Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series season after suffering mixed fortunes in the latest races at the Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve today (13 Sep).
Having qualified 10th and seventh for the two races around the new 2.92 mile, 18-corner Portuguese track, “Christo” posted seventh place on the road in race one – just 6.613secs behind the race winner – before unluckily being punted out of the second race.
Riki, aged 21, commented: “I enjoyed a really good dice with Max Chilton in race one. I was getting faster as the race progressed and actually got past him but I ran wide and he got me again. The race was cut short by a couple of laps due to Safety Car periods which was a shame because I felt I could have battled past him again.
“In any case I was the fifth-highest British championship contender which moved me up one place to fifth in the standings and I looked forward to the second race believing a top-three result was definitely on the cards. But the race only lasted two corners after I was hit up the rear causing instant retirement – very frustrating as it also meant I slipped back to sixth in the championship.”
The final two rounds of the 20-race series are staged at Brands Hatch on 20 September. Riki concluded: “I must put this bad luck behind me and focus on Brands. I qualified on the front row of the grid and finished third at Brands for my last Formula Renault race 12 months ago so I’ll be aiming to repeat that kind of form.”
Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve (Portugal), Rds 17 & 18:
Race 1: Qualifying Pos: 10th (1m 38.701s) Dry/sunny. Race Result: 5th (Dry/sunny).
Race 2: Qualifying Pos: 7th (1m 38.103s) Dry/sunny. Race Result: Retired, accident (Dry/sunny).
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series*: 1 Ricciardo (AUS) 240 points; 2 van der Zande (NL) 177; 3 Grubmuller (A) 168; 4 Chilton (GB) 135; 5 Buzaid (BRA) 112; 6 Christodoulou (GB) 103. (Provisional standings).
Next races: Brands Hatch nr Fawkham, Kent (20 Sep).
The Grand Finale
7th Sep 2009
This weekend is the final race weekend of the British Formula 3 Championship. I’m racing at Brands Hatch GP which is a fantastic circuit to drive. I have so far only done a one day test there, earlier on this year, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the track and giving it my all.
I cant believe how fast the season has gone, each year just seems to go quicker and quicker!
It’s been a few days since I got back from the Algarve and I’ve had to put the dissapointment behind me and focus on this weekend, which I can’t wait for. It’s still possible for me to get up to 4th in the Championship so I’ll be pushing really hard from the very first session tomorrow to make sure I get back up there and finish my Rookie season off as strong as I can.
- West Midlander eager to be highest-placed British driver in final standings
- Riki launches new website for his growing fan base
Sutton Coldfield’s Riki Christodoulou is determined to end his maiden Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series season on a high.
The youngster lies sixth in the championship standings having already registered nine top-six finishes – including one victory – in only his third full season of single-seater racing after a successful motorsport baptism in karting.
“Christo” is aiming for top-three podium finishes in the final four races staged in Portugal and at Brands Hatch.
The 2.92 mile, 18-corner Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve circuit is the penultimate venue on the 20-race schedule – a new track for almost every driver in the field – with two races on Sunday (13 Sep).
“I’m really looking forward to the Algarve race – it’s an awesome circuit with a lot of fast to medium bends with some slow sections too – I can’t wait to go back there!” states Riki who tested an F3 car at the track last December.
“The Fortec team and I are working very hard to get back on track, after a couple of indifferent results, with the best set-up for me so we can deliver podiums, and hopefully a win or two, in the final four races. We will all get the chance to reacclimatize ourselves with the track with two test sessions on Friday prior to qualifying on Saturday.
“In the three-week break since my last race at SiIverstone, I’ve been focusing on my training. I obviously want to finish as high up in the series as possible and hopefully be the best-placed British driver.”
The Alpinestars and British Car Registrations sponsored driver has also been busy re-launching his website (www.rikichristo.com) with the help of Birmingham-based Andy Higgs Design Limited.
Riki added: “My new website looks really cool – Andy has done a great job. It’s bang up to date, featuring lots of information on me, my car, team, the championship, photos and videos can also be downloaded and I’ll be uploading blogs on a frequent basis.”
Last Friday I was invited along to the BRDC Clubhouse at Silverstone for an evening talk with Anthony Reid, Matt Jackson and Paul O’Neill, interviewed by Ian Titchmarsh.
The evening involved them talking about their careers and life, giving information on how they got to where they are now. The main message was about putting in the hard work, dedication and sacrifice, which I related to and I’m sure most of the other drivers in the room could as well.
The evening was wrapped up with dinner – something which I couldn’t wait for!
A really good and enjoyable evening.
Porsche Human Performance Fitness Test
24th Aug 2009
Last week I got to do a fitness test at the Porsche centre at Silverstone, which was organised through the BRDC Superstar programme. It was really good fun to get all my results on paper and to know how I’m doing with my fitness – very good apparently.
While I was there I was tested on my reactions, strength, VO2 max and vision, all of which was recorded and analysed.
It was a little harder doing a fitness test during the season because with travelling and doing the races its almost impossible to keep up as high a level as it is during my winter training programmes, so I’m looking forward to doing the test again at the end of the year and beating the results I got this time!
Riki Christodoulou remains sixth in the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series following races at Silverstone today (Sun 16 Aug).
The 21-year-old from Sutton Coldfield registered eighth and sixth place finishes in the two, 30-minute races around the 2.249-mile “International” track.
Starting race one from eighth place on the 22-car grid, Riki maintained position to the chequered flag but in the later second race, moved up three places from ninth on the grid to finish sixth and “top Brit” in his Alpinestars and British Car Registrations sponsored Dallara-Mercedes – his best result since winning at Snetterton in early July.
“The second race was exciting and eventful – the complete opposite of the opener,” confirmed Riki. “Race one was processional and boring but race two was very lively. I initially got away very well but then the engine stalled. I dropped the clutch and somehow the engine fired back up but the problem had dropped me to 11th going in to the first corner.
“I made a couple of good overtaking moves and actually completed lap one in eighth and ultimately came home sixth. I had a race-long dice with [Carlos] Huertas and got past him a couple of times, including on the last lap, but the Columbian was pretty aggressive in defending the position. We couldn’t extract the outright speed from the car all weekend but it’s more points on the board in terms of the championship.”
Riki’s penultimate event of the season is at the new 2.92 mile, 18-corner Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal next month (13 Sep) – a $250 million facility built in October 2008.
“I tested an F3 car there last December, completing a lot of laps – it’s a mega track and I can’t wait to race there,” concluded “Christo”.
“There’s now almost a one month break before the next races. I’ll be working very hard on my physical fitness in the gym during this period so that I’m in top shape. I’m targeting a top-four championship finish in my maiden F3 season and with only four races remaining, I’ll be pushing hard for maximum points.”
Silverstone nr Towcester, Rds 15 & 16
Race 1
Qualifying Pos: 8th (1:15.442) Dry/Overcast. Race Result: 8th (Dry/sunny).
Race 2
Qualifying Pos: 9th (1:15.927) Dry/Cloudy. Race Result: 6th (Dry/sunny).
Next Race
Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve , Portimão , Portugal (13 Sep).
Christo Slips Down Standings After Spa Debut Misery
25th Jul 2009
Riki Christodoulou has slipped two places to sixth in the Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series following the latest races in Belgium.
The 21-year-old from Sutton Coldfield suffered a fraught baptism of the demanding Spa-Francorchamps circuit, failing to finish either 30-minute race staged on Friday and Saturday.
Riki acquainted himself of the 4.35-mile circuit in the Ardennes for the very first time by means of just two practice sessions – both staged on a wet track – before qualifying 12th fastest in dry conditions. However, the 13th round of the 20-race series on Friday was over almost before it started for the Sutton Coldfield driver when his Dallara-Mercedes retired after a collision at the La Source hairpin on the opening lap.
“I’d overtaken a number of cars around the outside approaching the tight right-hand hairpin 100 metres after the start but on the exit of the bend, Daisuke Nakajima hit my rear wheel which spun me around,” reflected “Christo”.
“I was then hit by the car of Walter Grubmuller causing a lot of damage and my instant retirement.”
Having qualified eighth in wet conditions, Riki lined-up sixth on the grid for the second race after two cars were bumped to the back of the grid and was fourth by the second lap – the track made treacherously slippery moments before the start due to heavy rain but with all cars starting on dry weather, “slick” tyres.
But “Christo” collided with Renger van der Zande on the eighth lap at La Source when challenging for third place. It marked the first time Riki had failed to score a single point and non-finish both races in his maiden F3 season.
“I’m totally gutted for myself and the Fortec team,” said Riki. “One minute it was raining, then it had stopped, then raining again – it was incredible conditions. I caught Renger into the chicane under braking and lunged down the inside for third place but my car unfortunately slid wide and into his car with my front right wheel which bent the suspension putting me out.
“Looking back on the incident even now makes so angry – a podium place was there for the taking but the conditions just caught me out.”
Next stop for “Christo” is a two-day test at Pembrey in Wales (3-4 August) before competing on the 3.173-mile “International” track at Silverstone on 16 August.
“I scored my first F3 podium with second place at Silverstone in May and especially after some poor results after I won at Snetterton earlier this month, I have to bounce back at Silverstone,” concluded Riki.
Spa-Francorchamps nr Leige (Bel), Rds 13 & 14
Race 1
Qualifying Pos: 12th (2min 16.342secs) Dry/Overcast. Race Result: Accident (Dry/sunny).
Race 2
Qualifying Pos: 8th (2:39.990) Wet/Rain. Race Result: Accident (Damp/wet/cloudy/rain).
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series*: 1 Ricciardo (AUS) 177 points; 2 Grubmuller (A) 140; 3 van der Zande (NL) 125; 4 Buzaid (BRA) 99; 5 Chilton (GB) 90; 6 Christodoulou (GB) 86. (Provisional standings).
Next races
Silverstone “International”, Rds 15 & 16 (16 Aug).
Christodoulou Remains Fourth After Donington Races
19th Jul 2009
- West Midlander disappointed to net only seventh and 10th at “home” track
- Riki heads into the unknown for first-ever car race at Spa-Francorchamps
Riki Christodoulou remains fourth in the year’s Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series standings following the latest races at Donington Park today (19 Jul).
The Sutton Coldfield driver, who celebrated his 21st birthday last Wednesday (14 Jul), heads for the next races in Belgium on Friday and Saturday of this week (24-25 Jul) looking to quickly bounce back to form after a disappointing outing at his “home” track.
“Christo” started his Alpinestars and British Car Registrations sponsored Dallara-Mercedes from seventh and 11th places on the 19-car grid in the in the two, 30-minute races around the 1.957 mile “National” track on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border and finished each race in the same position – but moved up a place in the final classifications.
“After scoring my maiden F3 victory in the previous race, today has been a massive anti-climax – not only for me personally but also the Fortec team,” reflected Riki.
“For whatever reason, we lacked pace in both qualifying and each races. I expected a lot more from myself so I’m massively disappointed. But Donington is history now and I must now focus on Spa.”
Riki contests the 13th and 14th rounds of the 20-race series at Spa-Francorchamps on Friday (24 Jul) and Saturday (25 Jul) respectively – a dauntingly fast 4.35-mile track in the Ardennes “Christo” has never even seen before let alone raced on.
“I raced on the kart track beside the main circuit when I was about 14-years-old but tested a Westfield car a few weeks ago on the big Spa circuit – it’s a mega layout and I can’t wait to race on it in a F3 car. After the Donington results I’m especially determined to do well in Belgium,” concluded Riki.
Donington Park nr Derby, Rounds 11 & 12
Race 1
Qualifying Pos: 7th (1min 2.627secs) Dry/Overcast. Race Result: 7th (Damp/cloudy).
Race 2
Qualifying Pos: 11th (1:3.044) Dry/Overcast. Race Result: 10th (Damp/cloudy).
2009 Cooper Tires British Formula 3 International Series*: 1 Ricciardo (AUS) 141 points; 2 Grubmuller (A) 128; 3 van der Zande (NL) 100; 4 Christodoulou (GB) 86; 5 Buzaid (BRA) 79; 6 Chilton (GB) 74. (Provisional standings).
Next races
Spa-Franchorchamps nr Liege, Belgium Rds 13 & 14 (24-25 July).
About Riki Christo
Riki Christodoulou has been racing as long as he can remember. Through karts, Formula Renault and now in the British Formula 3 International series. Riki continues to compete in top flight motorsport as one of the UK’s most promising young racing car drivers.
