March 3rd 2004

WILL POWER HAS A POSITIVE START TO THE SEASON WITH ADR


Will Power has been taking advantage of the pre-season testing opportunities with his new team Alan Docking Racing, the latest test session that took place at Donington Park on March 2nd proved very successful.

Will had a full day of testing where he managed to get in a solid amount of laps as he and the team worked towards finding the perfect setup.ÿ Will’s team mate this year will be Briton Alex Lloyd and together with ADR they keen to start the 2004 championship in fighting form.

Having to leave immediately after the test to fly off to Australia for the Grand Prix this weekend, Will was happy to be going on such a positive note.ÿ His role as an ambassador to the Australian Grand Prix Corporation will give him the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the sport’s biggest names, as well as provide him with introductions to F1 teams and personnel. Though it will be a short trip, as he is keen to return to the UK in time for a two day test at Oulton Park early next week, alongside the other British F3 contenders.

“I have been really happy with how the testing is going; I’m spending a lot of time talking to the team and we a really trying to get the best out of the car.ÿ I’m glad we had such a positive test before I left for the Grand Prix - Donington is the track where the first race will be - so that makes a big difference.

“I’m hoping to get a lot out of being an ambassador, it’s a good opportunity for me and I’m keen to meet some great people, but there was no way I wanted to miss a test day, especially the Oulton Park test, it’s just too valuable.” Will explained.

Although ADR have completed five test days, including one at Oulton Park and Brands Hatch, the Oulton Park test on March 9 &10 will be the first officially timed test the team will attend.ÿ

Will, will be in Melbourne, Australia until Sunday the 7th March.

Ends//

A fantastic effort put forward by the talented young Aussie, Will Power and Alan Docking Racing, saw that Will was awarded 'Driver of the Weekend' today, after two strong qualifiers and a gutsy race in which he finished second for his first podium of the season.

A clever strategy and a tidy lap from a determined Will, saw that the number 10 ADR car would grid up fourth fastest for race one - one tenth behind second place and just behind Nelshino Piquet in third - with a time of 1:15.675.

Believing better things were possible, only a few minor tweaks were made for session two where Will put in a blinding lap of 1:15.206, placing him fastest. After pitting with 12 minutes of the session remaining, Will was pipped for pole on the penultimate lap with a time .014 seconds faster than his own and would therefore line up in a respectable P2 for the second race.

The rain stopped long enough on Sunday for race one to get underway, albeit on a wet track. Will emulated his electric start from round one at Doningtion Park and passed Piquet before turn one. Putting the pressure on Dirani, Will slipped passed and after some close racing, Dirani spun himself off the track. Battling now for first, Will pushed hard for the remainder of the race first holding off round one winner Adam Carroll, and ultimately Piquet on a drying track, Will crossed the line in a well deserved second place to take his first podium of the season.

The relentless rain meant that race two unfortunately had to be cancelled, leaving Will pumped up for his front row start, but with no race to run. The grid positions will be carried over to a future meeting where they will run the race on a Saturday after qualifying.

"It just goes to show that hard work and determination pays off!" Exclaimed Will.

"After qualifying one, I knew we could do better and we did - even struggling with slight understeer. We managed to go out there, get a good time and still do the least amount of laps out of everyone."

"It is great to get a podium finish early on, points are always the aim – the team and I have really jelled together and we are very positive about things to come, it's still very early days. We have got to the stage now where we can go to a track and only have to make minor adjustments, it's where we want to be at right now." Will said.

The next race meeting is at Croft on May 1st and 2nd, in two weeks time.

Will Power drove to two superb second place podiums this weekend, starting both races from the front row, Will mastered the tiny Scottish track in Friday practice and leaves the weekend 4th in the Championship table.

Uncharacteristically good weather throughout the weekend kept the traditional 'Knockhill Mayhem' to a minimum and worked in Will's favour as he drove to learn the circuit for the first time in Friday Practice, finishing fastest overall.

A manic first qualifying was in store for the number 10 ADR car; while provisionally in pole position Will was forced to come into the pits with an engine miss, the problem was fixed and Will re-joined the field only to be drilled at the hairpin by the Scholarship car of Vasillje Calasan causing damage to the side pod and floor. After numerous other hurdles (gearbox problems and red-flags to name a few), Will was quite happy to grid up P2 for race one, 0.033 seconds behind pole.

The second session proved relatively stress-free in comparison, Will again was on provisional pole until the penultimate lap when he was demoted to second place. Once more missing pole by only half a tenth and therefore starting from a well deserved front row position for race two.

Getting a good start and run down to the first turn in race one, Will kept second place after a slight touch by round 6 sparring partner James Rossiter.ÿ With limited passing opportunities, Will pressured Viso with a fast car and crossed the line in a valuable second place.

Race two was plagued by safety cars as desperate moves forced cars off the track.ÿ Will maintained his second spot in front of Nelsinho Piquet (despite the double breaking efforts by Rossiter during a restart almost causing a major collision), and crossed the line to take podium number two in what turned out to be a very successful weekend for Will.

"I can't believe we've missed out on pole by less than half a tenth four times in the last three race meetings!"

"We've achieved what we came here to do, we gained some valuable points this weekend which we needed after a bad run at Croft (being taken out of second place by Rossiter in race two), now we are 4th in the championship and are very much in the hunt." Explained Will.

The next meeting is at Snetterton where the postponed Silverstone race will be run, qualifying positions carry over so Will, will start in P2 on the front row.

2nd June 2004

A supporter of Will Power has today announced that he will match dollar for dollar any genuine effort made to complete Will’s racing budget by Australian corporate companies willing to take up the challenge.ÿ This proposition was put forward in a bid to help fund the remainder of Will’s British Formula Three season with team Alan Docking Racing and to urge the Australian corporate sector to get involved in aiding young Australians overseas.

Danny Wallis, managing director of DWS Advanced Business Solutions, wanted to make a point of appealing to the corporate companies as he felt they were letting down Australian hopefuls as they try to achieve away from home.ÿ DWS will fund 50% of the remaining shortfall in Will’s budget this year should Australian companies put forward the other half.

“I believe that Australian corporate companies should invest some of their profits in young Australians, especially in the international circuit and in a sport like motor racing which offers so much in the form of exposure opportunities.”ÿ Wallis explained when asked why he was throwing down the gauntlet.ÿ “Simply just the opportunity to get behind talented young Aussies who are trying to make a name for themselves and our country, is appealing” he added.

Mark Webber, Australian’s Formula One star, met Danny in 2002 and since then has spent valuable time with him, providing an insight into what the world of motor sport is like for an Aussie prior to, and after stepping up the ladder to F1.

Will Power is excited by the prospect of having a fully funded season should any companies step forward.ÿ

“The good news is that I have already secured funding for the next couple of races; that is a huge step for me” said a positive Will. “But we are always looking ahead and can’t relax yet.ÿ The next payments will have to be made soon to ensure that we can continue in British F3.ÿ I think what Danny is doing for me is great, it’s really tough to be worrying about money while you are trying to do a job, I just hope someone steps up to the challenge.” Will said.ÿ

The majority of Will’s budget so far this year has come from the Australian Motor Sport Foundation (AMSF), a part of CAMS who have been very supportive since Will decided to make the jump to Britain, and a private backer.

6th June 2004

Another two superb podiums for Will Power this weekend as he charged through the field from 7th and 5th respectively to finish third in each of the two Sunday races.ÿ Will leaves Snetterton this meeting after an impressive points haul which secures him in a solid 4th place in the Championship.

Will pushed steadily ahead over the weekend, finishing 8th overall in the Friday practice session.ÿ The times were incredibly close throughout the weekend and Will finished up 7th in a straight forward first qualifying (despite a red flag), only one and half tenths of pole.ÿ Second qualifying was of the same order, Will finished 5th and was one tenth off the front row with a time of 1:01.910.ÿ

Not a usual Saturday, the postponed Silverstone race was scheduled for 6pm that evening.ÿ Qualifying positions carried over so Will started from P2 on the front row in great shape for the first race of the meeting.ÿ A flying start propelled Will past pole man Danilo Dirani and he was leading ahead of Nelsinho Piquet out of the first corner.ÿ Between turn one and two Will and Piquet were fighting for position and Will being on the outside was pushed wide losing valuable places.ÿ Will managed to rejoin in 10th, which he maintained to the finish.

An unscheduled engine change on Sunday morning for the number 10 ADR car caused chaos as the team worked hard to get Will out in time for race two,ÿ just making the deadline.ÿ The start light system was botched when they turned the lights off immediately after putting out the 5 second board, resulting in slow starts for Will and many others.ÿ Will charged through the field and in the first few laps had steered his way into third place ahead of Dirani.ÿ Will passed the chequered flag in third, a great finish from 7th place.

Keen to repeat his race two success, Will got an awesome start and came around in 4th position after lap one.ÿ Lucas Di-Grassi had jumped the start and was therefore given a drive through penalty promoting Will to third ahead of a challenging Piquet.ÿ Will gained on the leaders, consistently matching their times throughout the race. Will crossed the line in another well deserved podium position, the 4th podium for Will in the last 5 races.

"It's been a great weekend for me really" explained Will.ÿ "The qualifying times were so close, the only difference between a pole lap or tenth was the luck of the traffic.ÿ I didn't have a good run in the Silverstone race, neither of us [Will or Piquet] wanted to back down, I was on the outside so I was the unlucky one" he said.

"I'm still 4th in the Championship after picking up the points from two thirds.ÿ Coming from 7th and 5th it was great to be on the podium twice, the team really worked hard for me this weekend and I had a lot of supporters so it was good to be up the front for everyone." He said.
Will's next race is in two weeks time at Castle Combe, where he came 5th in his first race with Fortec last year.

27th June 2004

One point gained in race two was the greatest gain Aussie Will Power had in rounds 13 and 14 of the British Formula Three Championship, this weekend. The highly eventful meeting was marred with bad weather and a very widely spread programme which caused unrest in the championship standings.

Testing at the Donington GP circuit was on the Wednesday prior to the weekend and was extremely wet, hindering those like Will who had not run on the extra length of track, turning Donington Park into Donington GP.

Qualifying One on Friday afternoon was dry and Will showed good pace immediately, featuring strongly in the top three as drivers bettered their times with each lap completed.ÿ Will came in to make a minor change to his number 10, Alan Docking Racing machine, only managing to complete one lap before the session was red-flagged and ultimately stopped.ÿ Will was 5th fastest with a time of 1:26.712.

“The car felt really good, but I was conscious that I was new to part of the track and I was testing out the breaking points each lap” said Will.ÿ “I felt that if we were to have our second session that day, in the dry, I would definitely have improved”

But that was not to be, session two was on a wet and rainy Saturday morning.ÿ Not being able to find the pace in the wet like many other dry qualifying front runners, Will and ADR struggled through the session and managed 11th fastest.ÿ

Griding up in 5th that afternoon for race one, the majority of the field chose to start on wet weather tyres.ÿ Will got an electric wet start up the inside and was passed 3rd place Marco Asmer and 4th place Lucas Di-Grassi. Di-Grassi also started well and was keen to keep his position as he moved into the middle of the track, squeezing his team-mate, Asmer’s front wheel into Will’s rear tyre.ÿ The number 10 car was launched sideways into the offending Di-Grassi and was a passenger as they both careerd into the wall before turn one.ÿ Asmer (who gambled on slick tyres), was unable to stop so his race also finished in the wall.

“I was fuming” admitted Will.ÿ “I thought I was passed everyone and had second place for sure.ÿ If I had been only slightly further ahead, Asmer’s wheel wouldn’t have hit mine and I would have been looking good for the race.ÿ It’s a pity because we didn’t have the best weekend last weekend, but that’s just the luck of the game – it’s got to pick up for us soon.”

New slick tyres for race two meant those on the dry line had a grippy start, too grippy in Will’s case as he stalled on the grid from 11th.ÿ Will was then forced to cut the chicane to miss a mass of spinning cars, only to spin himself while getting back on the power, he managed to get going and then followed a great battle between fellow Aussie Marcus Marshall and a damaged (and very wide), Karun Chandhok for 10th place.ÿ Will crossed the line one point happier in what turned out to be an ultimately disappointing meeting.

“I’m looking forward to Oulton Park in three weeks time; once again budget is a major factor.ÿ I’m really hoping to source out the money for the next couple of meetings, but it’s looking really tight.” Explained Will. “Danny Wallis’ offer of going halves in the remainder of my budget still stands, I’m hoping that an Australian company will step up with the other half”.

Will is now 6th in the Championship with 10 races remaining in the season.

20th June 2004

Will Power had a tough time of it in qualifying on the Saturday after a problem in morning practice set the Alan Docking Racing team back, in terms of set-up for the weekend.ÿ Will took home some precious points in race one, but wasn't so lucky in the wet second race. The 2004 championship has been regarded by many as the most competitive in recent years, and has seen eight different race winners in the 12 races so far.

Will went out and put in the fastest time in Saturday morning's practice, which he consistently bettered in the few laps he was out on track.ÿ Unfortunately, after putting on new rubber, Will was forced to pit a lap later with fuel problems so missed the majority of the 45mins.

Qualifying one, Will finished 7th fastest ahead of James Rossiter and Nelshino Piquet who are heading up the championship table.ÿ In the second qualifying Will finished 8th fastest in what was an extremely close session, demoting Piquet to 9th on the final lap.

Race one Will concentrated on point scoring as he made up a place in the first corner and once again found himself in a battle with Piquet.ÿ Piquet remained right on Will's tail for most of the race, though Will made a gap towards the finish and crossed the line in a comfortable 6th place gaining some valuable points.

The rain fell heavily before race two and all teams chose to start their cars on wet weather tyres.ÿ Many were caught out at the start, the two front row cars fell back and it was tight into the first turn.ÿ Will was pushed back down the order but had the pace to re-gain the lost places each lap, finally falling behind then 7th placed man Danilo Dirani.ÿ Will the faster of the two, was being held up and this continued after the safety car was brought out following incidents involving cars losing control in the slippery conditions.ÿ On the penultimate lap Will got a run on Dirani out of the last corner, side by side, Dirani swore that he didn't see Will in his mirrors as he turned in, and they both spun around.ÿ Will managed to get back on track to recover 13th place.

"There's not much you can do from 7th and 8th but go for points and give it your best shot at the start. Will surmised.ÿ We've been ultra consistent so far this season, on the pace everywhere really - we’ve just got to put it all together and a win will come."

"I'm looking forward to Donnington next weekend.ÿ We are still 4th in the championship, so it's good to see consistency pays off.ÿ We are only half way into the season and we have seen that anyone could be up the front, it just makes it more interesting when it comes to the results table." Said Will.
Donnington will hold the 13th and 14th rounds of the championship next weekend.ÿ The championship standings after Castle Combe are: 1st Nelsinho Piquet, 2nd Adam Carroll, 3rd James Rossiter, 4th Will Power.

30th August 2004

Rounds 19 and 20 of the British Formula Three Championship at Thruxton proved a struggle for Will Power and the Alan Docking Racing team.ÿ Will went into the meeting feeling confident after a fairly successful test day in the wet on Friday, finishing fourth fastest without a new tyre run.ÿ However, after a day off on Saturday, Sunday Qualifying was predominantly dry and they found themselves very much off the pace for the first time this season.

Will qualified 13th and 12th in the two sessions and although they were working hard to improve the car it wasn’t until the second race before they found a good set-up.

Will made his way up to 10th and held his position throughout race one salvaging a point from the otherwise disappointing meeting.ÿ Qualifying back in the field meant chaos on the first lap in race two and Will found himself with half a front wing.ÿ Will managed to finish the race after a pit-stop for a new wing but his stop meant he finished down on laps.

“We were behind after the test day, not having got a good set-up for the dry so unfortunately, we struggled for the rest of the weekend.ÿ Starting down the grid always has the possibility of danger and in race two I didn’t managed to avoid it.” Explained Will.

“It is the only meeting so far this season where we have been off the pace so I am sure we will be stronger going into the next round at Spa.ÿ It’s just one of those meetings where if we started again today, we would be on it straight away.” Said Will.

On a more positive note, Paul Stoddart has recently confirmed that Will’s test with the Minardi Formula One Team will take place in Italy in the first week of November.ÿ (More details will follow shortly.)ÿ

Will is also in the process of organising tests with F3000 teams who are planning to make the jump to the new GP2 category next season.ÿ The plan is for GP2 to take over the current FIA F3000 series and travel alongside Formula One next year as F3000 do now.

Ends//

14 September 2004

The penultimate round of the British Formula Three Championship was held at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium over the weekend, Spa being the only non-British race of the year is dubbed the FIA European cup and invites the European F3 Championship contenders to participate.ÿ

Will Power and the Alan Docking Racing team suffered over the weekend with a lack of speed and although they worked hard to change their fortunes it was not to be and the number 10 car qualified 13th in the single 45 minute qualifying session on Saturday.

Each F3 session was met with un-characteristically dry weather when the forecast predicted rain.ÿ So, later on Saturday race one got underway in the dry and still provided the spectators with a good show when a couple of cars stalled or got bad starts on the sloping grid causing a mass of cars to swerve and avoid them.ÿ Will moved up to 8th during the race and enjoyed the challenge.

“I love Spa, it’s a great track.ÿ I was a bit apprehensive about starting back in the field, but kept it altogether during the start and ended up having an alright race.” Will said of race one.

Race two’s grid was determined by the finishing positions of race one, meaning Will started 8th and although he made the most of the start he soon found himself struggling with sheer speed loss and was eventually passed by Alvaro Parente.ÿ Will kept with Parente and was all over him into the bus stop but it was not enough and Will crossed the line in 9th place to finish the weekend with a handful of points.

“It was frustrating for me to see people pulling away and catching me so easily, and we did make the car better between races, but it didn’t fix our problem.ÿ I did enjoy the racing though and think that other than blocking the whole race there was not much more I could have done.” Explained Will.

Brands Hatch is the final round of the F3 Championship and will be held on the first weekend of October.

May 02, 2004

Despite walking away from round three at Croft empty handed when it comes to championship points, Will Power was able to take home some valuable positives.
After struggling with set-up through Friday testing and first qualifying at Croft, Will and ADR hit the nail on the head with a set-up that saw them qualify 4th for race two and post the third quickest time in race one.

Will was to grid up 11th for the first race after a qualifying session which was plagued with red flags and ultimately lacking in pace for the number 10 ADR car.

Some major set-up changes between sessions made all the difference as Will was able to put in the 3rd fastest time before being bounced down to 4th on the checkered flag lap.ÿ The top four cars were all within half a tenth of a second of each other, an amazingly close session.

A battle through the mid field was chaos for Will in what he later called the 'Worst first lap ever'.ÿ A great start was ruined by a spinner pushing Will off the track when coming onto the back straight. Recovering, though much further back than he would have liked, Will was again squeezed out, this time at the hair pin by Clivio Piccione.

'It just didn't go my way at all' said Will, 'we were definitely quick, I was able to pick up the third fastest time of the race while battling though the field, so there was no problem with speed' he said.

Race two was not long by any standard, another superb start propelled Will up to battle for second with James Rossiter and they were side by side before turn one.ÿ Will had the inside line making it his corner, when Rossiter tried a desperate move around the outside that forced Will onto the curb, launching him into the air and rendering both cars useless in the gravel trap.

'He was just being a bit greedy I think, even if he had finished third he would be leading the championship and now we both have no points' explained Will.

'It was such a mixed up weekend for everyone, it actually makes things a little more interesting championship wise, a lot of people lucked in that otherwise wouldn't have because of the high rate of attrition.ÿ The main thing is that we know we are quick and can be right there again and again.' Said Power.

The up-coming week is a busy one for Will as he and ADR prepare for the next round in two weeks time at Knockhill.ÿ Will missed the Knockhill round last year so it will be his first time at the Scottish track.ÿ Will is now 7th in the championship.

18th July 2004

Australian British F3 driver, Will Power has not been able to shake his run of tough luck after rounds 15 and 16 this weekend at Oulton Park.ÿ Will, in is Mugen-Honda Alan Docking Racing Dallara, was forced to part the meeting with no points after a collision and a mechanical failure put paid to his point scoring chances.

Oulton Park played host to very changeable weather conditions throughout the weekend.ÿ This meant that in qualifying one on a wet and drying track, crossing the line last would ensure the driest line.ÿ Will stayed out all session and was unfortunately the first to hit the flag, initially making it into the top three but dropping down as others crossed the line, a scholarship car even making P3.ÿ Will finished 7th fastest with a time of 1:44.055, .3secs off pole.

It rained heavily between sessions but as the F3's made an appearance, so did the sun – the track was drying very quickly.ÿ The ADR number 10 car came in mid session for a tyre change, as did most of the field, but stayed on wets. Will came in again one lap later for slicks and it was a mad rush in the pit lane as each team struggled to make the swap. Unluckily, James Rossiter pulled out of the pit-lane ahead of Will when he was 4th fastest with two laps to go.ÿ Will couldn't back off or go faster in the traffic so dropped back to 6th with a time of 1:32.680, .7secs off pole.

It was dry but threatening rain for race one.ÿ Will battled with Karun Chandhok, found his way passed and was gaining on 4th placed Rossiter in the opening laps.ÿ Ryan Lewis, with his scholarship car, decided to let others through and fight his own battle – but he may have not seen Will as he shut the door into turn one, leaving room for Danny Watts to pass them both.ÿ Whilst Will battled with Watts a lap later, Marco Asmer caught the pair and locked up into turn two, hitting the rear of Will and turning him into a violent spin.ÿ Will rejoined the pack and made his way up to 12th before the end of the race.

Race two was sunnier, but much shorter.ÿ Will was keen to hold on to a point's paying position so was playing it safe and remained in 6th off the start and in the opening laps.ÿ On lap 7 however, Will passed the pits with a sick car and managed to pull up further around the track with a terminal mechanical failure.

"What can you say after a weekend like that? It's a pity to come away with nothing, with all the effort everyone puts in for a race meeting." Said Will.ÿ "There's no excuses though, it is what it is and you can always do better."ÿ

"I'm hoping to get in a couple of test days now that we have a four week break, I also have the arranged Minardi F1 test coming up that I am really looking forward to so I will be training hard for that. Will enthused.ÿ "We still have four race meetings remaining and I am aiming to heat things back up in terms of the championship."


//Ends

15th August 2004

After a string of unfortunate incidences, mechanical and on-track, Australian Will Power and Silverstone based team, Alan Docking Racing, stepped back into form this weekend when two solid qualifying results paved the way for two points paying finishes at rounds 17 and 18 of the British F3 Championship.

Will was second fastest in each of the two practice sessions, one wet, one dry, on Thursday so was confident going into Qualifying on Friday morning. (Session three, Will was fastest but it was rained out early on).

Only having one or two laps to place a time meant that Will had to get his lap in perfectly and then pit, hoping no-one could better it.ÿ Will was fastest for the majority of qualifying one with a time of 1 min 42.870 but was demoted down to fourth in the late stages of the session, still a strong starting position from row two on the grid.

Session two was much the same, the number 10 car putting in the fastest time early on.ÿ Will was on provisional pole with a time of 1 min 43.611, which again held for most of the session.ÿ When pitted Will's time was soon bettered, and he was not able to retaliate, the session closed with Will in a solid 6th place.

Returning to the track on Sunday after enjoying a free Saturday, the British F3 cars were to grid up on a dry track ready for round 17 of the Championship.ÿ Will didn't get the best start from the second row and lost a place to Danny Watts who soon made his way into third. Eager to gain back his lost place Will made an awesome move up the inside of Adam Carroll for fourth place at Brooklands corner and although the top five places continued to battle (Will gaining on third place in the closing stages) the positions remained fixed and Will crossed the line in fourth and with a welcome bundle of points to boot.

As the F3 cars were pushed into the pre-race area, drops of rain began to fall on the Silverstone circuit causing a scramble in the pit lane for wet weather tyres. Uncertainty overshadowed the formation and green flag laps due to the still ominous looking sky, all but one driver, fellow Aussie Marcus Marshall, electing to start on Wets.

Powering away at the start, Will moved up to 3rd place and was in a fierce battle with Rob Austin for second, swapping places and fighting a clean battle when they found themselves on a near dry track.ÿ Two other cars who qualified further back had gambled to come into pits during the start, Danilo Dirani and Alvaro Parente risked the change to slick tyres and the demotion of a pit-stop early on.ÿ Though the changes seemed to be paying off – Marcus Marshall was soon breezing though the field and the two others on slick tyres had been a lap down but were now not far behind.ÿ Rather than battling each other the race leaders were battling to stay on the track as eventually the three slick–tyred cars moved to the lead finishing the race in a shock 1st, 2nd and 3rd.ÿ Will crossed the line in 6th place, third out of those on wets.

"It's always a gamble when there is rain before a race start – wet or dry tyres? Unfortunately, we made the wrong choice this time, as did the majority of the field." Explained Will.ÿ

"It's a pity as you do feel robbed knowing that you were battling for second and that there is nothing you can do about being passed even though you have a quick car – I would like to have had the podium and points I was working towards, but as I said, it is a risk you take."

"I am happy with the finishes though, I haven't had much luck in the last couple of races even though I have been qualifying consistently, so it is good to have some points to walk away with this weekend."ÿ Consolidated Will.

The next round of the Championship is in two weeks time at the Thruxton circuit where will gained his first podium position of his British F3 career – 2nd place, last year.

//Ends

The final round of the 2004 British F3 Championship was held at Brands Hatch over the weekend where talented young Aussie, Will Power raced his final British F3 race with team Alan Docking Racing and although he didn’t get a strong result, the end of the season marks two years of racing outside of Australia for Will and he is able to look back at this as an accomplishment in itself.

Will’s blue and white Dallara finished 12th fastest in Friday practice and Will matched this result in qualifying one when he set a time of 42.521 around the tiny track, 5 tenths of pole position in an incredibly close session marred with one red flag and a shower of rain.ÿ Before qualifying two the number 10 car’s set-up was totally changed in a bid to improve on 12th place, but as the session drew to a close Will found himself 11th fastest with a time of 42.717, this time only 3 tenths off pole.

Sunday brought cold weather and little wind to take the rain clouds away.ÿ Race one got off to a rocky start for Will when his engine cover came off on the warm up lap forcing him to travel slowly around the track when he should have been testing his slick tyres on the wet and drying surface.ÿ The cover was taped together on the grid and Will got away with an electric start moving him up the field.ÿ However a mistake on the slippery tyres into turn three meant Will pushed Rob Austin off the track only to be hit from behind by Danilo Dirani and the three ended up in the grass.ÿ Will the only one sustaining damage with a bent front left suspension, was unable to continue.

“I went in too deep and got caught out with the slicks on the wet track and unfortunately, Rob Austin was in front of me.ÿ I think someone went into the back of me as they came around also – and that was the end of my race” said Will.

Race two was much longer for Will and although Marco Asmer stalled on the grid in front of him, he managed to get by without losing too much time and made his way up to 8th place in the first lap.ÿ Will was pumping out some good lap times until he caught Andrew Thompson who was battling with Danny Watts for 6th.ÿ Will decided to try and have a go at Thompson on the last lap and Asmer took advantage, passing him and taking 8th place away. Will finished the season 9th in the Championship.

“I worked very hard the whole race but it was a tough weekend, we struggled with under-steer the whole time. We seemed to be just out of the top ten no matter what we did.” Explained Will afterwards.

Will has now completed two years of British Formula three, an achievement in itself considering the budget woes and the up’s and down’s Will has experienced since leaving Australia to make an international name for himself, in 2003.ÿ He will stay in the UK until the end of November when he will test for the Minardi F1 team and in the meantime is working on getting a drive for next year.

“The year started off really good and although it didn’t end too fantastically, I have learnt a lot and enjoyed it overall – the ADR team and I worked hard all year and I have to thank them for that.ÿ I believe that compared with the testing and budgets most other teams had; we did a pretty good job, especially at the start of the year.ÿ It was only the last three rounds where we were not on the pace, everywhere else we were up there.” Commented Will on the 2004 season.

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21st November 2004

Talented Australian, Will Power, who recently completed his second year of British Formula Three, returned back from Italy on Thursday after a test with Championship winning Euro Formula 3000 team, Draco Racing, where he impressed being the fastest of the four drivers.

Will drove the Draco F3000 car on Wednesday for approximately 40 laps around the Misano track, the same track where his Minardi F1 test will be held next week.ÿ Will was fastest on the day with a time of 1:21.00sec on old tyres, 1 second ahead of the next driver who ran a time of, 1:22.00sec.

“I couldn’t wait to get back into a car after a break of almost two months, I thought I might be off my form a little, but I was fine” said Will of his first F3000 test.

“The car really suited my driving style and hopping back in a high powered car after two years of Formula Three in the UK [Will won the high-powered Formula 4000 championship in Australia in 2002], I could definitely notice the improvement in my driving.ÿ I now know for sure that I could do a good job next year in a stronger car and it’s made me hungry to get back to Europe, I just really enjoyed it and Draco Racing are a very professional team. “He enthused.

Will travels back to Italy on Monday morning before his F1 test on Tuesday and feels now that he’s had a test and learnt the track, stepping into the powerful Minardi won’t be such a shock to the system.ÿ

The Minardi F1 test was a promise from Paul Stoddart, in conjunction with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation made at the end of 2003, the only condition being that Will complete the 2004 British F3 season.ÿ The promise was an incentive for the young Aussie to stick out the full year and a helpful tool when seeking out sponsorship.

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For more information, please contact:

Kerry Fenwick (Media and PR manager)
kerry@markwebber.com
Mobile: +44 (0)777 8565 711
Or go to www.will-power.com.au for information on Will Power.

Draco Racing Website: www.dracoracing.com

For immediate release 24th November 2004

Grinning from ear to ear, Australian Will Power, was delighted as he stepped out of a Minardi PS04B/04 after his first ever run in a Formula One car at Misano, Italy yesterday. Power completed 22 laps for the Australian/Italian team and in the short time allocated, managed a best lap time of 1min11.079. His pace impressed team principle, Paul Stoddart, who said, “It was quite an effort for a first test and after only a relatively small amount of laps.”

The test came about as a promise delivered by Stoddart at last year’s launch of the 2004 Foster’s Australian Grand Prix. Stoddart, who gave Mark Webber his F1 break, agreed to test Australians Will Power and Will Davison on the proviso they compete in the 2004 British Formula Three Championship. It was just the incentive for Power who has dreamed of driving an F1 car since he was a young boy.

“I loved it!” Enthused Will afterwards, “There is no way to describe it to anyone - it’s just an awesome feeling having that much power under you and such impressive brakes and speed.ÿ Now I know what I’ve been missing out on, it’s going to make me very hungry to get more.

“Each lap you do, you get used to how the car is going to react and you push a bit harder, I knocked time off with each lap I did, and I know that it’s possible to keep pushing until you are only looking for half a tenth here and there – it would just be a matter of time in the car.” He said

The Minardi team didn’t waste the on-track time; recording the drivers’ feedback and in between sessions, analysing their data, enabling Power to evaluate his driving before heading out onto the track again.

Weather conditions remained similar throughout the day, although the track temperature had risen slightly when Power ran in the afternoon.ÿ He was on the track when Stoddart arrived to support the young Australians and after watching him complete his 22 laps (including in and out laps), Paul praised both drivers. “They both acquitted themselves with distinction, in that they were on the pace quickly and set very competitive times after only a relatively small number of laps. This is hugely significant, when you consider neither of them had ever sat in an F1 car before today”.

When asked what the test would mean for Power, Stoddart said he hoped that he could one day follow in the footsteps of Australia’s current F1 star, Mark Webber and that it would encourage the Australian corporate sector to get behind their young drivers overseas.


Power finished the day fastest out of the three drivers, approx. two tenths ahead of Davison and over two seconds ahead of Israeli driver, Chanok Nissany, who had also tested the day before.

Will travels home on the 30th of November in a bid to gather support and raise the funds needed for his GP2 campaign in Europe next year.ÿ

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