Van Amersfoort Racing has signed the US-American driver Gustavo Menezes for the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup. The former Red Bull junior has chosen the European route with the Dutch team of Frits van Amersfoort which won the ATS Formula 3 Cup drivers championship in 2007, 2009 and 2011. Gustavo Menezes will be the very first US-American to compete in the ATS Formula 3 Cup.
The 19-year old Gustavo Menezes is one of the promising young American racing drivers. After being successful in karting (multiple American championships and factory driver for Tony Kart) Gustavo was signed as one of the few American Red Bull Juniors.
The partly Brazilian driver raced in Star Mazda series for two seasons and tasted European racing in the Formula Renault 2.0 Alps series in 2011. After joining forces with his European management he opted for a new challenge in Europe.
Teamowner Frits van Amersfoort: “Although I am in racing for more than 30 years I find it very special to welcome an American racer in our team. First goal is to help Gustavo adapt to the European way of life. When a driver is feeling at home he will be better focused and faster on the track. In the winter tests we got a good impression of Gustavo’s racing skills: he could become the big surprise of the ATS Formula 3 Cup.”
Driver Gustavo Menezes: “I tested with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) in December. I immediately felt comfortable with the team and we made great progress in a short space of time. So I’am delighted to be racing with Frits and his team. It was a big decision to move from the US to Europe, but I really think VAR has much to offer me. My goal is to take every race as it comes and focus on doing the best every time I am in the car.”
ATS Formula 3 Cup racing schedule:
26-28/04 Oschersleben (DEU), ADAC GT Masters
10-12/05 Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), ADAC GT Masters
17-19/05 Nürburgring / 4,585m (DEU), ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race
07-09/06 Sachsenring (DEU), ADAC GT Masters
14-16/06 Lausitzring / 3,487m (DEU), DTM
02-04/08 Nürburgring / 5,137m (DEU), ADAC GT Masters
30/08-01/09 Lausitzring / 4,535m (DEU), ADAC GT Masters
13-15/09 Oschersleben (DEU), DTM
27-29/09 Hockenheimring (DEU), ADAC GT Masters