Joel Eriksson takes cautious optimism into first street race of the season

Thanks to winning performances at Silverstone and Monza, Joel Eriksson currently sits on top of the FIA F3 European Championship standings. As the field heads to the French town of Pau this weekend for the first street event of the year, the Swedish Team Motopark racer unsurprisingly bids to defend his championship lead – but is well aware of the tough battle on hand if he is to do so.

One point; that’s what Eriksson’s slender advantage over nearest championship rival Lando Norris (GBR) currently amounts to. A further 27 points adrift sits third-placed Callum Ilott (GBR), with the leading trio having shared the first six races equally among them with two wins each.

Pau was the venue of Eriksson’s first-ever street race 12 months ago, and the BMW-supported youngster returns to the picturesque venue at the foot of the Pyrenees this weekend with fond memories of the 2016 dash between the barriers.

“I’m looking forward to returning to Pau this weekend,” says Joel Eriksson. “It’s a very difficult track – narrow and unforgiving – and I learned a lot there last year. There really is no room for error and I especially remember some corners having quite a lot of banking. You need to use that to your advantage and position the car exactly right, which is not easy to do. It’s a big challenge, but great fun!” 

Eriksson came away from Pau with a best result of sixth last season, claiming rookie honours inSunday’s concluding Race 3 – which formally holds the prestigious “Grand Prix de Pau” title.

Later in the year, he then added to his street circuit experience with a debut appearance in the FIA F3 World Cup Macau Grand Prix in China; like Pau known for its treacherous and ultra-demanding nature.

“A lot happens in a year, and I’m a much-improved driver in every area compared to this time last season,” Eriksson continues. “I’m sure that I will be quicker in Pau this time around through natural progression, but I don’t know how I’ll stack up against the others. I haven’t scored any top results on street tracks yet – both Pau and Macau were new to me last year – so I still have to prove that I’m capable of that. Leading the championship, I need to aim for victory, but I’m well aware that it won’t be easy.”

The tight confines of Pau means overtaking is virtually impossible, injecting added importance into qualifying. To combat the risk of accidents and the potential impact of traffic in the two grid-deciding sessions, a unique qualifying structure will be in place in France this weekend, with the field split in half.

TIME TABLE

FIA F3 European Championship | Rd. 3
 Pau, France

All times local – GMT+02:00
Friday 19/5
Free Practice 1: 10.15-10.55
Free Practice 2: 11.00-11.40
Qualifying 1: 15.25-16.10

Saturday 20/5
Race 1: 11.10-11.45
Qualifying 2: 15.35-16.15

Sunday 21/5
Race 2: 10.40-11.15
Race 3: 16.00-16.35