Asaro to run Formula Three with new P1 Racing Team

April 30, 2003 (Toronto, Ontario): Billy Asaro of Unionville, Ontario, will compete in the 2003 British Formula Three Championship with P1 Racing based in Norfolk, England. The team, formed recently by Roly Vincini who engineered Asaro’s car last year at Sweeney Racing, will begin fielding the 21-year-old Canadian this weekend at Croft Circuit near Leicester, England.

“I’m extremely happy to be able to continue working with Roly,” said Asaro. “He taught me a lot last year. I’ve also got my mechanic from last year, so we’ve got a group that knows each other and works well together. We should hit the ground running.”

Vincini, who has in the past worked with world champions Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna, is equally thrilled with the arrangement.

“It’s great to be teamed up with Billy again,” said Vincini. “He is an exciting driver with enormous talent. He has the potential to reach the top level.”

While there is plenty of optimism, Asaro has unfortunately already missed two events (four races) as the deal with P1 came together after the season had started. The car, a Dallara F303 chassis powered by an Opel-Spiess engine, is ready to go after Asaro performed a shakedown test and put in some practice laps in preparation for the season ahead.

Despite starting in a hole, Asaro is confident he can make a strong impression in the ten events (20 races) remaining on the schedule.

“As far as the championship is concerned, everyone has a big head start on me,” he said. “I’m still targeting the championship, but my main focus is to treat the rest of the season as 20 opportunities to show Formula One team owners what I can do.”

Last year, competing in the British Formula three Scholarship class, Asaro took three wins, four seconds and three thirds along with two pole positions and three fastest laps.

The British Formula Three Championship is a 24-race series making stops at such circuits as Silverstone, Brands Hatch, Rockingham and Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.