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Joel Eriksson to continue in European F3 with Motopark

by Peter Allen
Joel Eriksson

Photo: FIA Formula 3 European Championship

Joel Eriksson will continue in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with Motopark for a second season this year.

The Swede finished as the top rookie in 2016, coming fifth overall after stepping up from ADAC Formula 4, where he was runner-up the previous season.

He scored his maiden victory at Spa-Francorchamps, followed that with victory in the Masters of F3 at Zandvoort, and was second only to champion Lance Stroll in terms of points scored over the final four?rounds.

This year the?18-year-old?BMW Motorsport junior driver will continue with Timo Rumpfkeil’s Motopark team, with which he has spent his entire car racing career so far.

“I’m excited to return to the FIA F3 European Championship this year,” said?Eriksson.

“I learned so much last season, enjoyed the format, and achieved my target of winning the rookie title.

“It was a good first year, and based on our results and the pace we had ? especially during the second half of the season ? I’ll be heading into 2017 aiming to win?the championship outright.

“It will be extremely tough with a lot of strong teams and drivers already lined up, but it’s not supposed to be easy.

“I’ve been racing with Team Motopark for all of my single-seater career, we showed our potential last year, and I can’t wait to meet this challenge together with them.”

Rumpfkeil added:?”We are extremely delighted to have Joel leading our 2017 FIA F3 European Championship campaign.

“He is not just a tremendously fast driver, but also has that inherent race craft that can make all the difference.

“After enjoying an extremely successful 2016 season with Joel, winning the rookie title, we are confident that we will be strong contenders for the overall championship in 2017.

“We took huge steps last year and have continued to work extensively over the winter, preparing ourselves carefully in testing.

“We’re looking forward to an exciting season, and we are ready to take the fight.”