Q&A: Michael Meadows - EXCLUSIVE.

by Russell Atkins

Formula BMW UK graduate Michael Meadows is embarking on his maiden season of British F3 in 2007, and after impressing in the lower formulae is determined to make his mark on the country's premier single-seater category.

The BRDC Rising Star waged a successful couple of campaigns in Formula BMW, finishing as runner-up in the Rookie Cup in 2005 and fifth outright last year. Now he is eager to continue that form as he aims for title glory in the British F3's National Class...

Q:
Michael, first of all how excited are you about your British F3 debut?

Michael Meadows:
I can't wait. Every single-seater driver aspires to be in F3 at some point in their career, and I'm very thankful to my sponsors Newnet that I can do it this year.

Q:
You've spent the past two seasons racing in Formula BMW. How much of a step-up is F3 from that?

MM:
It's not as big a step-up as I thought it would be to be honest. I thought it would blow my head off driving down the straights and in the quick corners, but in terms of the grip-to-power ratio they are quite similar cars. That's very useful for drivers like myself and Sam Bird who have done the same thing. It's a good comparison.

Q:
The decision to move up to F3 was taken relatively early last year. Has that allowed you to get plenty of testing in before the season starts?

MM:
Yeah. We have done all the official test days and spent a couple of days in Spain at the end of last year and another couple of days at Pembrey, so I think we are looking in good shape. Obviously it's a very competitive championship though, and testing is not a true indication of pace, so we will have to wait and see what happens in the first race.

Q:
You have stepped up with Master Motorsport, the same team you raced for in Formula BMW. How is that familiarity helping you?

MM:
It's very good. I've known (team principal) Steven Brady for a long time - he is a good friend of my dad. I think it does help a lot. Continuity is certainly a big part of motor racing, and there's no other team I'd rather be with.

Q:
You are competing in the National Class this year. There are 11 drivers in it, which is more than ever before. How tough is the competition going to be?

MM:
I think it's going to be very tough. Obviously there are Sergio Perez and Sean Petterson - I think those two guys will be very quick, along with myself. It's going to be difficult because all the tracks I've been to so far are shorter ones, meaning when we go to the longer circuits like Monza and Spa it might be a bit more difficult.

Q:
So looking at the season as a whole, what are your overall aims and objectives?

MM:
The aim is definitely to win the championship, but we will be taking each race as it comes. We are not planning anything yet, but we will certainly take Oulton Park very seriously and will see where we are after that.

Q:
And do you think you can maybe give the championship boys a scare every now and again too?

MM:
Yeah, I think so. I have quite good knowledge of a lot of the tracks here, whereas some of the foreign boys might not know Oulton Park's tricks and stuff. If I can be mid-grid or top ten I will be very happy.