Formula Renault 3.5
Formula Renault 3.5?s reputation continued to grow throughout 2013. The series once again attracted a host of quality names at the front of the grid and the season opener at Monza seemed to set the scene for a three-way tussle between the pre-season favourites Antonio Felix da Costa, Stoffel Vandoorne and Kevin Magnussen.
While Red Bull?s Felix da Costa struggled to keep up, the McLaren pair of Vandoorne and Magnussen were the story of the season. Rookie Vandoorne led the way after an exquisite double win at Moscow, but Magnussen then took charge with a consistent run of podiums followed by dominance of the final two rounds. The Dane convinced McLaren enough to earn a promotion to an F1 race seat, while Vandoorne won?t be far behind either even if he needs a year in GP2 first.
Although Felix da Costa paid for his defeat to the Woking-backed duo by missing out on an F1 seat, the hype around the top two should only help the reputation of those who were able to take the fight on occasion. Will Stevens and Nigel Melker were consistent podium finishers, while Nico Muller claimed wins in Monaco and Hungary and Marco Sorensen was a double victor at Spielberg.
McLaren?s success will only tempt more backers to place their young drivers in the series. Ferrari look set to choose FR3.5 over GP2 for its European F3 champion Raffaele Marciello and the Eurocup?s top two Pierre Gasly and Oliver Rowland have already signed up for 2014.
Peter Allen