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2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series


Teams' Champion: Tech 1 Racing

The 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series was the eighth season of the Renault–supported single–seater category.

It was the first season for the new Dallara T12 chassis, which featured a new, 530 BHP V8 engine supplied by British firm Zytek Motorsport. The car also featured a new gearbox developed by Ricardo and a Drag Reduction System similar to the one first used in the 2011 Formula One season. The series' organising committee has also announced that the series' sporting regulations were set to remain unchanged.

Robin Frijns won the championship in his first season of competition, becoming the first driver since Robert Kubica in 2005 to win the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in his debut year. Tech 1 Racing won the teams' championship for the fourth time.

Teams and drivers

On 10 October 2011, it was announced that 18 teams had applied to compete in the 2012 season. Twelve of the thirteen teams that competed in 2011 submitted entries, while Mofaz Racing withdrew after failing to acquire the requisite funds to continue in the series. Several new teams, including Arden International, Atech Reid GP, DAMS, Koiranen Motorsport, Max Travin Racing Team – however prior the start of the season, Max Travin Racing Team joined forces with BVM Target as part of a three-year partnership – and Van Amersfoort Racing all submitted entries to join the series. The final list of thirteen teams was published on 17 October 2011, with GP2 Series teams Arden International and DAMS selected to join, while EPIC Racing and Koiranen Motorsport were placed on a reserve list.

TeamNo.Driver nameStatusRounds
GBR Carlin1DNK Kevin MagnussenAll
2GBR Will StevensAll
GBR Fortec Motorsports3COL Carlos HuertasAll
4NLD Robin FrijnsAll
CZE ISR5GBR Sam BirdAll
6USA Jake RosenzweigAll
FRA Tech 1 Racing7EST Kevin Korjus1–6
DEU Daniel Abt7–9
8FRA Jules BianchiAll
GBR P1 Motorsport9AUT Walter GrubmüllerAll
10RUS Daniil MoveAll
CZE Lotus11NZL Richie Stanaway1–3
BRA César Ramos4–5
NLD Nigel Melker6
EST Kevin Korjus7–9
12DNK Marco SørensenAll
ITA BVM Target15ITA Giovanni Venturini1–4
RUS Sergey Sirotkin5
ITA Daniel Zampieri6
HUN Tamás Pál Kiss7, 9
ITA Davide Rigon8
16RUS Nikolay MartsenkoAll
RUS Team RFR17RUS Mikhail AleshinAll
18RUS Anton Nebylitskiy1–6
FIN Aaro Vainio7–9
ESP Pons Racing19BRA Yann CunhaAll
20CHE Zoël AmbergAll
ITA International Draco Racing21CHE Nico MüllerAll
22BRA André NegrãoAll
GBR Comtec Racing23ITA Vittorio GhirelliAll
24GBR Nick YellolyAll
GBR Arden Caterham25USA Alexander RossiAll
26GBR Lewis Williamson1–3
PRT António Félix da Costa4–9
FRA DAMS27BRA Lucas ForestiAll
28FRA Arthur PicAll

Driver changes

;Changed teams

  • Arthur Pic switched from Tech 1 Racing to newcomers DAMS for the 2012 campaign.
  • Jake Rosenzweig moved from Mofaz Racing to join ISR for the 2012 season.
  • Alexander Rossi, who finished third in the 2011 season for Fortec Motorsports, moved to the new team Arden Caterham for the 2012 campaign.

;Entering/Re–Entering FR3.5

  • 2010 champion Mikhail Aleshin, who competed in the GP2 Series and German Formula Three in 2011, returned to the series full-time with Team RFR, after a one-off appearance at the Hungaroring in 2011, replacing Anton Nebylitskiy. Nebylitskiy partners Aleshin at Team RFR in 2012.
  • Zoël Amberg, who competed in the 2011 GP3 Series season with ATECH CRS GP, moved to Formula Renault 3.5, joining Pons Racing.
  • Jules Bianchi, who finished third in the GP2 Series in both 2010 and 2011, joined Tech 1 Racing. He also competed in the Monaco round of the series in 2009 for SG Formula.
  • Sam Bird, who was sixth in GP2 in 2011, also joined the series with ISR.
  • Yann Cunha, who participated in both British Formula 3 and the European F3 Open championships in 2011, joined Amberg at Pons Racing.
  • Lucas Foresti, who graduated from the British Formula 3 Championship, joined Arthur Pic at DAMS.
  • Colombian driver Carlos Huertas, who placed third in the British Formula 3 championship and fifth in the Macau Grand Prix, will move into the series, driving for Fortec Motorsport. Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 champion Robin Frijns became his teammate.
  • British Formula 3 runner-up Kevin Magnussen continued his collaboration with Carlin Motorsport for another season, joining the team's Formula Renault 3.5 outfit. He was joined in the team by Will Stevens, who placed fourth in the Formula Renault Eurocup in 2011.
  • Nikolay Martsenko, who finished twelfth in German Formula Three in 2011, moved into the series with BVM Target.
  • Lotus signed German Formula Three champion Richie Stanaway and runner-up Marco Sørensen to drive their cars in 2012.
  • Auto GP race-winner Giovanni Venturini joined Martsenko at BVM Target.
  • GP3 Series race-winner Lewis Williamson moved into the series full-time, after replacing Daniel Ricciardo at ISR for two meetings in 2011. He joined Formula Renault 3.5 debutants Arden Caterham. Fellow GP3 race-winner Nico Müller joined the series with International Draco Racing.
  • GP3 racer Nick Yelloly, who competed in three meetings for Pons Racing in 2011, moved into the series full-time with Comtec Racing. He will be joined by fellow GP3 driver Vittorio Ghirelli.

;Leaving FR3.5

  • Nathanaël Berthon, who raced for ISR in 2011, stepped up to GP2 with Racing Engineering, having previously contested the 2011 GP2 Asia Series season and GP2 Final with the team.
  • Albert Costa, who finished fourth in 2011 with EPIC Racing, will move to the Eurocup Mégane Trophy with defending champions Oregon Team.
  • Daniël de Jong, who finished 29th for Comtec Racing, joined the Auto GP World Series full-time with Manor MP Motorsport, having contested three meetings for the team during the 2011 season.
  • Daniel McKenzie, who raced for Comtec Racing in 2011, will move to Formula Two for 2012.
  • Sten Pentus, who finished 24th in 2011 with EPIC Racing, will move to the Auto GP World Series with the Virtuosi UK team.
  • After finishing in fifth place in the series, alongside a half season in Formula One, Daniel Ricciardo switched to Formula One full-time, joining Scuderia Toro Rosso.
  • Stéphane Richelmi, who finished 26th in the 2011 season for Draco Racing, will graduate to the GP2 Series with Trident Racing.
  • Filip Salaquarda, who entered at Monza with Pons Racing in 2011, will switch to the FIA GT1 World Championship, joining AF Corse.
  • Adrien Tambay, who competed for Pons Racing and Draco Racing in 2011, will join the DTM, driving for Abt Sportsline.
  • Mofaz Racing driver Chris van der Drift left the championship to compete in the Auto GP World Series.
  • 2011 series runner-up Jean-Éric Vergne moved into Formula One with Scuderia Toro Rosso.
  • Oliver Webb, who drove for Pons Racing in 2011, will move to the Indy Lights series full-time with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, having contested four races with Jensen MotorSport in 2011.
  • 2011 champion Robert Wickens switched to the DTM, joining the junior Mercedes scheme, earning a place at Mücke Motorsport.
  • BVM Target driver Daniel Zampieri switched to sportscar racing, joining the International GT Open and Blancpain Endurance Series with the Kessel Racing team.

;Mid-season changes

  • Richie Stanaway injured his back in an accident during the third round at Spa-Francorchamps, and was forced to miss the remainder of the season. He was replaced by César Ramos, who drove for Fortec during the 2011 season. Ramos was replaced by GP2 Series driver Nigel Melker after Moscow.
  • Giovanni Venturini left BVM Target due to a lack of funding. He was replaced by Auto GP World Series and Italian Formula Three driver Sergey Sirotkin for his home round in Moscow. Due to Sirotkin's contract commitments to Euronova Racing, Daniel Zampieri made a comeback to the championship at Silverstone.
  • Lewis Williamson lost his drive with Arden Caterham, after he was dropped from the Red Bull Junior Team. He was replaced by GP3 Series driver António Félix da Costa.

Race calendar and results

In August 2011, series organisers had announced that the championship was due to visit Russia and Brazil during the 2012 season. The 2012 calendar was announced on 10 October 2011, the day after the end of the 2011 season. Russia was included, but Brazil omitted. Seven of the nine rounds will form meetings of the 2012 World Series by Renault season, with additional rounds in support of the and the 6 Hours of Silverstone.

RoundCircuitDatePole positionFastest lapWinning driverWinning teamRookie Winner1R1R223R1R24R1R25R1R26R1R27R1R28R1R29R1R2
ESP Ciudad del Motor de Aragón, Alcañiz5 MayFRA Arthur PicNLD Robin FrijnsGBR Nick YellolyGBR Comtec RacingDNK Kevin Magnussen
6 MayFRA Arthur PicFRA Arthur PicNLD Robin FrijnsGBR Fortec MotorsportsNLD Robin Frijns
MCO Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo27 MayGBR Sam BirdFRA Jules BianchiGBR Sam BirdCZE ISRCHE Nico Müller
BEL Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps2 JuneDNK Kevin MagnussenFRA Jules BianchiDNK Marco SørensenCZE LotusDNK Marco Sørensen
3 JuneDNK Kevin MagnussenFRA Jules BianchiDNK Kevin MagnussenGBR CarlinDNK Kevin Magnussen
DEU Nürburgring30 JuneFRA Jules BianchiFRA Jules BianchiFRA Jules BianchiFRA Tech 1 RacingCHE Nico Müller
1 JulyNLD Robin FrijnsRUS Mikhail AleshinGBR Nick YellolyGBR Comtec RacingDNK Marco Sørensen
RUS Moscow Raceway14 JulyNLD Robin FrijnsFRA Jules BianchiNLD Robin FrijnsGBR Fortec MotorsportsNLD Robin Frijns
15 JulyFRA Jules BianchiFRA Arthur PicFRA Arthur PicFRA DAMSCOL Carlos Huertas
GBR Silverstone Circuit25 AugustDNK Kevin MagnussenPRT António Félix da CostaFRA Jules BianchiFRA Tech 1 RacingNLD Robin Frijns
26 AugustFRA Jules BianchiFRA Jules BianchiGBR Sam BirdCZE ISRPRT António Félix da Costa
HUN Hungaroring, Mogyoród15 SeptemberNLD Robin FrijnsFRA Jules BianchiNLD Robin FrijnsGBR Fortec MotorsportsNLD Robin Frijns
16 SeptemberNLD Robin FrijnsUSA Alexander RossiPRT António Félix da CostaGBR Arden CaterhamPRT António Félix da Costa
FRA Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet29 SeptemberGBR Nick YellolyUSA Alexander RossiPRT António Félix da CostaGBR Arden CaterhamPRT António Félix da Costa
30 SeptemberFRA Jules BianchiPRT António Félix da CostaFRA Jules BianchiFRA Tech 1 RacingPRT António Félix da Costa
ESP Circuit de Catalunya, Montmeló20 OctoberFRA Jules BianchiUSA Alexander RossiPRT António Félix da CostaGBR Arden CaterhamPRT António Félix da Costa
21 OctoberRUS Mikhail AleshinUSA Alexander RossiPRT António Félix da CostaGBR Arden CaterhamPRT António Félix da Costa

Championship standings

;Points system Points are awarded to the top 10 classified finishers.

PositionPoints
1st2nd
2518

Drivers' Championship

PosDriverARA
ESPMON
MCOSPA
BELNÜR
DEUMSC
RUSSIL
GBRHUN
HUNLEC
FRACAT
ESPPoints1189218531794166512261227106810297810691163125913461442153616351729182719152013218228238245253261271280290300310320330340350PosDriverARA
ESPMON
MCOSPA
BELNÜR
DEUMSC
RUSSIL
GBRHUN
HUNLEC
FRACAT
ESPPoints
NLD Robin Frijns31Ret7335117291579314
FRA Jules BianchiDSQ132217*1*12271*3*39417Ret
GBR Sam Bird92135843RetRet110410327
PRT António Félix da Costa91171552411211
GBR Nick Yelloly118792Ret11216481420241513
DNK Marco Sørensen7Ret617626RetRet19†825510Ret
DNK Kevin Magnussen2RetRet2115816†10RetRet223†624†54
FRA Arthur PicRet*3*1115Ret4Ret41Ret456Ret14116
CHE Nico MüllerRetRet5542Ret8RetRet76Ret871215
EST Kevin KorjusRet44DNS1314Ret53Ret1512798617
USA Alexander RossiRet5311Ret18917†5Ret5982216195
GBR Will Stevens68121381013108Ret6233111149
RUS Mikhail AleshinRet1184Ret13614911†17†Ret19121792
AUT Walter Grubmüller16Ret986715Ret29Ret201013121310
BRA André Negrão810Ret1212193134Ret1615RetRet22148
COL Carlos Huertas41210RetRet23†RetRet661171215151818
RUS Daniil Move177151414157911Ret141715325†2116
FIN Aaro VainioRet1816683
NLD Nigel Melker3Ret
RUS Nikolay Martsenko5151810921RetRet18Ret12Ret1423212520
USA Jake RosenzweigRetRetRet6181117†Ret12Ret13162220201711
NZL Richie StanawayRet6RetNCRet
BRA Lucas Foresti11Ret17RetRetRet1018†1471811131410RetRet
ITA Vittorio Ghirelli12171620RetRetRet11Ret810211717232019
ITA Giovanni VenturiniRet9Ret16102214
CHE Zoël Amberg10161418Ret16181513RetRet131618Ret2422
ITA Daniel Zampieri10Ret
HUN Tamás Pál Kiss19112212
BRA Yann Cunha15RetRet171117Ret19RetRetRet222121192321
BRA César Ramos12RetRetRet
RUS Anton Nebylitskiy1314RetDNS152016RetRetRetDNS
GBR Lewis Williamson14Ret131916
ITA Davide Rigon1913
DEU Daniel Abt1824Ret1816Ret
RUS Sergey Sirotkin20Ret

Bold – Pole

Italics – Fastest Lap

† – Retired, but classified |}

Teams' Championship

PosTeamCar
No.ARA
ESPMON
MCOSPA
BELNÜR
DEUMSC
RUSSIL
GBRHUN
HUNLEC
FRACAT
ESPPoints123422293224418751656165712781149110107311711217131PosTeamCar
No.ARA
ESPMON
MCOSPA
BELNÜR
DEUMSC
RUSSIL
GBRHUN
HUNLEC
FRACAT
ESPPoints
FRA Tech 1 Racing7Ret44DNS1314Ret53Ret151824Ret1816Ret
8DSQ132217*1*12271*3*39417Ret
GBR Arden Caterham25Ret5311Ret189175Ret5982216195
2614Ret13191691171552411211
GBR Fortec Motorsports341210RetRet23†RetRet661171215151818
431Ret7335117291579314
CZE ISR592135843RetRet110410327
6RetRetRet6181117†Ret12Ret13162220201711
GBR Carlin12RetRet2115816†10RetRet223†624†54
268121381013108Ret6233111149
CZE Lotus11Ret6RetNCRet12RetRetRet3Ret12798617
127Ret617626RetRet19†825510Ret
GBR Comtec Racing2312171620RetRetRet11Ret810211717232019
24118792Ret11216481420241513
ITA International Draco Racing21RetRet5542Ret8RetRet76Ret871215
22810Ret1212193134Ret1615RetRet22148
FRA DAMS2711Ret17RetRetRet1018†1471811131410RetRet
28Ret*3*1115Ret4Ret41Ret456Ret14115
RUS Team RFR17Ret1184Ret13614911†17†Ret19121792
181314RetDNS152016RetRetRetDNSRet1816683
NLD P1 Motorsport916Ret986715Ret29Ret201013121310
10177151414157911Ret141715325†2116
ITA BVM Target15Ret9Ret1610221420Ret10Ret191119132212
165151810921RetRet18Ret12Ret1423212520
ESP Pons Racing1915RetRet171116Ret19RetRetRet222121192321
2010161418Ret17181513RetRet131618Ret2422

Bold – Pole

Italics – Fastest Lap

† – Retired, but classified |}

References

References

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