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We asked Prema's Team Manager Rene
Rosin to draw a balance of the 2014
championship including two of its main
variables, the cars and the weekend's format.
Rosin, how do you judge the first season
of Formula 4 and the series' potential?
«Regarding the F.4 car, the program really
started at the last minute. It al begun from
the FIA and the development by Tatuus was
phenomenal as they respected the quality
standard at a very sensible price. Only a few
developmental championships can match
that. It's a perfect learning car. The FIA
required to respect some strict aero and
safety parameters, so of course it's a large
and heavy car, but it enabled the drivers to
make their way to open‐wheel competition.
As happened with Lance Stroll, who moved
to Formula 3 without any gap in terms of
adaptation despite the much powerful car.
And this is definitely an element we must
credit Tatuus for».
The F.4 Tatuus adapted well to the Pirelli
tires?
«Yes and it has been a positive surprise
because Pirelli had been out of the so‐called
"minor" developmental formulas for a while.
They built a type of tire that enables the
drivers to learn, it's long‐lasting and has
constant performance. And that was
probably the reason why it was chosen in
Germany, alongside the Tatuus cars, for the
local F.4 series».
Is it possible to compare the F.Renault
Tatuus to the F.4 car?
«The principles are the same. The Renault
and Abarth engines are quite different, of
course, then the F.Renault requires a slightly
different drive that doesn't fit with Formula
3. The rear moves around a lot, and it's
unstable under braking. The F.Renault is a
great car too, but it's something that Tatuus
had to convert from a different technical
package».
What do you think of the three‐race
weekends?
«The FIA did the same choice of Formula 3.
Personally, I agree with the three‐race
formula because it allows the drivers more
running time. I'm against the grid inversion.
I understand the needs of the drivers who
haven't qualified in the front few rows, but I
don't like it as a learning experience. In
addition to that, since F.4 was created for
drivers coming from kart racing, I know for
experience that with the qualifying sessions
being so close if a young kid messes up the
first one, he will probably do it in the second
too. That's the reason why F.3 changed. We
aren't in GP2 and GP3, we are fielding 15‐
year‐old drivers that are obviously more
likely to make mistakes».
Would you introduce rounds outside
Italy?
«No, the championship must remain strictly
national because it's entered by 15‐year‐old
drivers. Then if a team has the chance to run
races in another championship, why not? Of
course, it's best if the car is similar, like for
example in the German series that runs on
top circuits like Spa, Nurburgring and
Hockenheim. These must not become
international championships. The costs must
be kept down, but testing should be free
because somebody will eventually try to go
around the limitation anyway and problems
and polemics would soon arise. In a
developmental series, a young driver must be
allowed to drive as much as he can».
What is your opinion on a well‐renowned
driver like Lance Stroll?
«Stroll started driving with us last year in a
series of F.Renault tests when he had just
turned 15. Then the F.4 started. He entered
the Florida Winter Series with us, fighting
with much more experienced drivers like
Fuoco, Marciello and Verstappen, and
immediately put together some top‐class
performances. He's a really competitive guy,
and motivation is key for him. He has great
skills, and his karting career is a proof of
that. He's growing, but he's not there yet and
the Formula 3 will be really useful for him in
terms of development».
Rosin:
“Three races are ok,
but the qualifications
with the reverse grid aren't”
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