3-pronged attack for Manor in Euroseries
Manor Motorsport has officially confirmed it will expand to three Mercedes-powered Dallaras for the upcoming Formula 3 Euroseries season as the outfit bids to improve on the fourth place it achieved in the 2005 team standings.After ending last year on a high by guiding Brazilian sensation Lucas Tucci Di Grassi to victory in the 52nd Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, Manor is confident of carrying its success into the new season having signed deals with Argentinean driver Esteban Guerrieri and exciting Japanese pairing Kohei Hirate and Kazuki Nakajima.Both Japanese signings are members of the highly prestigious Toyota Young Driver Programme and while 2006 will mark Hirate’s second full season of F3 Euroseries competition, for Nakajima - son of Japan’s first ever Formula One driver Satoru Nakajima – it will be his first in the world’s premier Formula 3 category.Like Hirate, Esteban Guerrieri has a full year of F3 Euroseries experience under his belt and the 21-year old from Buenos Aires will be aiming to emulate the success South American compatriot Di Grassi achieved with Manor Motorsport in 2005.“I’m absolutely delighted with our 2006 line-up, it is also a great honour to be associated with Toyota”, commented Manor team boss John Booth. “Kohei, Kazuki and Esteban are three very talented, quick drivers and I’m very confident we’ll be challenging for race victories throughout the season.“The F3 Euroseries is an incredibly intense and competitive championship but after winning in Macau last year it’s given us a great deal of confidence and has also proven what we’re capable of achieving at a high level in international racing.“It’s important for us to have as strong a line-up as possible and we’ve certainly got that as far as I’m concerned. I’m sure each of our drivers will enjoy a successful year and we’re looking forward to an enjoyable and competitive season.”The opening meeting of the 2006 F3 Euroseries is scheduled to take place on 8th/9th April at Hockenheim in Germany.