For the second time, Swiss driver Yannick Mettler will contest an ATS Formula 3 Cup season for the Performance Racing team. The team from Silverstone, Great Britain are excited about the return of the 23-year old. They do not intend to settle for their eighth place like in the 2012 overall standings in the coming season; a challenge to all title contenders. It will be his second year in the British team owned by Bobby Issazadhe. The Swiss from Kriens near Lucerne considers a consistent performance a crucial advantage. “I was not sure if I was to race again for quite a long time. A second season seemed well out of reach due to financial strains. We finally managed to get the ball rolling thanks to a lot of people who have continued to support me all this time,” says a happy Mettler. “I am deeply grateful to everybody involved and I hope that I will be able to deliver great results.” Fans and drivers can look forward to Formula racing at a high level, including racing weekends with the ADAC as well as two events as part of the support programme of the DTM and one event during the weekend of the ADAC Zurich 24-Hour Race. “I think the ATS Formula 3 Cup offers the best value for money in Formula 3 racing and is an established school for the stars of tomorrow,” says Mettler.
Establishing and developing
Mettler secured the eighth place in the overall standings of the 2012 ATS Formula 3 Cup, winning one race and three podiums. Driving a Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine in 2013, he intends to implement what he has learned and to make sure that both his team-mates, John Bryant-Meisner and Thomas Jäger, are aware. “I am looking forward to working with them. However, at least on the track they are also my direct competitors and that is why I do not differentiate between them and other drivers.” Team Principal Bobby Issazadhe’s team is now complete: “With Yannick returning to the team I believe we have a very strong line-up for the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup. Yannick has developed very well in our team and I am sure he will be one of the title contenders. Over the winter Yannick had plenty of offers to race in FIA Formula 3 European Championship, various other formulas and even in GTs. So we are very proud that he chose to return to Performance Racing and the ATS Formula 3 Cup.”
Earning media attention
Mettler knows what he wants. And he is not only securing victories on the track. The 23-year old won the ATS Formula 3 Cup RAVENOL Media Award in 2012. Endowed with a prize money of 5,000 Euros, the award is intended to support the media relations of the future professional drivers. “That was just great,” says Mettler. “It motivated me to become more active in media relations. There should be more awards like this.” The ATS Formula 3 Cup RAVENOL Media Award will be awarded again in 2013.