IFM: Series Pau preview

2009 INTERNATIONAL FORMULA MASTER SEASON KICKS OFF IN PAU

International Formula Master's (IFM) third season will kick off next week with two inaugural rounds in Pau, France, and 20 drivers eager to race on the only street circuit for 2009.

In addition to the pre-season testing group, which featured a host of drivers including 2008 vice-champion Fabio Leimer, as well as upcoming rookies Pal Varhaug and Alexander Rossi, the French rounds will see regular IFM drivers Frankie Provenzano, Kasper Andersen and Harald Schlegelmilch return to the Series.

Newcomers will also feature, with the likes of 2007 Formula Renault 2.0 UK Champion Duncan Tappy running alongside 2008 Williams F1 test driver Jonathan Kennard with Team JVA.

Multi-talented Dutchman Dennis Retera will also join the field with AR Motorsport; the experienced driver claimed the vice-championship in GT4 European Cup Sports Light last year.

Imola-sensation Earl Bamber will also come back to the Series for the first time since he stormed to a win last season with ADM Motorsport. The New Zealander returns to the team fresh from the latest A1GP season where he scored three podiums with his national team.

The field of young drivers, coming from 13 different countries, can look forward to competing for a host of prizes, which include a GP2 test with team DAMS. The French outfit, which has run 2007 IFM Champion Jerome D'Ambrosio since his graduation from Formula Master, recently celebrated the GP2 Asia Championship with D'Ambrosio claiming the drivers' vice-champion title.

Today marked another celebration for D'Ambrosio; the young Belgian scored the second of two podium-finishes in Barcelona, Spain, on the inaugural 2009 GP2 Series weekend.

Both IFM races in Pau, France, will be shown live on Eurosport International and Eurosport Asia Pacific with Race One broadcast from 10:00 GMT onwards on Saturday 16 May and Sunday 17 May's Race Two from 11:45 GMT.

-credit: ifm