Russian Time/Motopark Academy
The introduction of the Russian Time outfit to the GP2 Series was a very welcome one almost instantaneously after it became apparent that the new project was basically an extension of successful F3 squad Motopark. The sizeable backing behind the project would prove extremely beneficial as the team was able to unveil a superb line-up in Sam Bird and Tom Dillmann. Despite lacking much pre-season running, it took only four races for Russian Time to celebrate their first victory ? with Bird triumphing in the reverse-grid race in Bahrain. The Briton soon delivered the team’s first feature races success on the streets of Monaco and would win another three races as the season went on and remained in the title hunt until the final round, eventually settling for runner-up. Dillmann also had a good, if much quieter year, taking pole at the Hungaroring and two podiums in feature races. Most importantly, his points contribution alongside Bird’s title-contending tally allowed Russian Time to narrowly secure the teams’ title in their rookie year.
Outside of GP2, there was the usual Motopark success in F3. The German championship saw the Lotus-branded team steamroll the competition, locking out numerous podiums and eventually taking a 1-2-3 in the standings with team protege Marvin Kirchhofer taking a dominant title. Together, the trio of Kirchhofer, Artem Markelov and Emil Bernstorff topped every qualifying and secured all the feature race victories of the year. At no point in the 26 races was there a podium that didn’t feature a Motopark machine.
Their ADAC Formel Masters effort, meanwhile, didn’t go so smooth, despite a rather strong driver lineup. Team leaders Beitske Visser and Indy Dontje usually occupied the outskirts of the top five, while rookies Mikkel Jensen and Callan O’Keeffe struggled for consistency, although the former produced some truly standout results. Still, even in a generally lacklustre year for the squad, there were three victories among Dontje and Visser.
In 2014, Russian Time will be expanding to GP3, with Kirchhofer a prominent candidate for a seat. There’s little doubt they’ll be ones to watch there, as well as in their other three regular categories.
Valentin Khorounzhiy