Bruno Spengler Pau preview

Spengler To Tackle The Streets of Pau

Montreal, Canada, May 26, 2004 -- One week after the Formula 1 stars contested the prestigious Grand Prix of Monaco, the up-and-coming international drivers of the Euro Formula 3 Series will compete fiercely this weekend in the Grand Prix of Pau. A fixture since the '60s, this famed race is run in the streets of the city of Pau, located in southern France. It is a treacherous track made of blind, off-camber corners and concrete walls and guardrails surround it. The slightest driving mistake is usually extremely costly.

Canadian race car driver Bruno Spengler will compete in the two Formula 3 races held in Pau this weekend. The member of the Mercedes-Benz Junior Team is happy with the set-up changes made to his Mercedes-powered Dallara. In fact, Spengler established the fastest lap of the race two weeks ago in Adria, Italy.

"I'm really looking forward to racing in Pau," said Spengler. "It will be quite a challenge in the Formula 3 car because we cannot test on this track prior to the event. This street circuit is slippery, very bumpy and it seems the walls just sit there, waiting for you! One portion of the track goes uphill while the other section goes downhill. I raced there three years ago in Formula Renault 2000 so I know what to expect. It is a very challenging but difficult track with plenty of pitfalls."

To make things a little easier, series' organizers have changed the qualifying format. "The group of 30 cars will be split in two according to our position in the standings," Spengler explained. "This way, only 15 cars will take the track at the same time and there should be less traffic. It should be easier to record competitive lap times."

Round 7 will be held Sunday and Round 8 will be staged Monday, Ascension Day, a holiday in France.

Schedule

Grand Prix de Pau, street circuit in Pau, France -- 2.760 km

Saturday May 29
Practice
Qualifications for Round 8

Sunday May 30
Qualifications for Round 7
Round 7 of the championship

Monday May 31
Round 8 of the championship

-www.brunospengler.com