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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Litespeed F3 Signs Victor Corrêa

Litespeed F3 has signed the 19-year old Brazilian ‘hot shot’ Victor Corrêa to drive in this season’s British F3 International Series.

Victor has been a driver on many people’s minds since he became a karting champion in Brazil back in the early 2000’s. Following on from a successful 2008 British Formula Ford Championship and promising 2009 winter F3 testing, demand for this young talent has been prolific. Common goals and a belief in Litespeed’s technical expertise sealed the deal & Victor & Litespeed are looking to emulate Senna & Ralt’s British F3 collaboration back in 1983.

In 2005, Victor was invited to be a member of Ferrari F1 driver Felipe Massa's team in the 500-mile Granja Viana kart race, before moving up to Formula São Paulo single seaters in 2006. Victor finished the season sixth overall with a 100% podium record in races he completed, whilst in 2007 he triumphed as the Formula São Paulo Champion.

Coming to British F3 sees the young driver following in the footsteps of the afore-mentioned Ayrton Senna, a champion both in British F3 and F1. Is it ironic or fortuitous that that Steve Kenchington, Technical Director of Litespeed F3 helped develop the active technology that launched Senna’s career ? Senna was arguably the most naturally talented driver of all time – if we are seeing a similar collaboration – British engineering and Brazilian driver – then how exciting for British motorsport.

‘We are delighted that Victor will be driving Litespeed’s R1 this season,’ said Kenchington. ‘Moving onto British F3 is a natural progression for someone with his ability and level-headed temperament. Victor has a long career ahead of him and we are looking forward to an extremely exciting championship in 2009.’

It may be the start of a new season but Litespeed has not let the grass grow under its tyres since the end of 2008. Committed to British F3 and motorsport as a whole, the British born team has had a busy winter, researching, testing and developing - be it driver technique, engineering equations or technical endurance.

‘The team has worked tirelessly since the end of last season, testing with British F3 champion Robbie Kerr throughout the winter. We quickly shook off the mantra of ‘new team on the grid’, with people recognising us as a professional outfit from the outset. Our engineers and drivers are 100% committed to making 2009 a year to remember – and to bringing a quantity of silverware back to Norfolk in 2009!’ challenged Nino Judge, Team Manager.

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