Campos Grand Prix - New F1 2010 Team - Biography

F1

Company Name: Campos Meta
Team Name: Campos Grand Prix
Country: Spain
Team Principal: Adrián Campos Suñer

The Campos Racing team was launched in 1998 by ex-Formula One driver Adrián Campos. Since that
time it has competed in various championships from GP2 to Euro F3. It has won six driver championships, five team championships and currently holds the GP2 Series 2008 title.

Campos Racing is running the Campos Grand Prix team in conjunction with Meta Image, a Madrid-based sports agency which specializes in event management, sponsorship acquisition, PR and marketing.

The Grand Prix team's headquarters are based in Madrid, which houses the marketing and administrative departments. The technical centre is based at Campos Racing's current headquarters in Valencia, 25km from the Ricardo Tormo race track. This facility currently manages design and development for the Campos Racing F3, Mexico A1GP and Barwa International GP2 teams.

As part of its application to compete in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship, Campos has agreed an engine supply deal with Cosworth and technical partnerships with Dallara Automobili and Xtrac.

13.06.2009 - Le Mans Formula

Race

A big day for Natacha, on the Formula Le Mans podium

Saturday 13 June 2009 ­ After twelve gruelling and spectacular laps featuring some very close battles, a number of accidents and a lot of action, Natacha Gachnang-Christophe Pillon (#18) finished the race on the third step of the podium for the Hope Pole Vision Racing team.

It's the first time that Natacha Gachnang has competed in the new formula organised by Oreca Racing. Starting from ninth on the grid Natacha was immediately competitive and worked her way up the field. She was up to second place in the final laps, but was passed and secured third place, just two seconds behind.

Natacha commented, "I started from ninth place and I wasn't about to finish in the middle of the pack. I fought from the very beginning all the way to the finish in a very exciting race. I gave my best and after twelve tough laps I made it up to the podium and one of my dreams became reality."

For Natacha this performance is an enormous encouragement and reflects a very intelligently driven and tactical race. In effect, the young Swiss driver from Aigle showed real skill in overtaking her rivals in tough conditions while not taking any wild risks.

In all her two hours-long first race on the circuit of the famous 24 Hours race was perfect. Better still, this race will remain a reference point and great memory for her.

"It was great to realise a dream after my grandfather Georges raced here in 1960," Natacha explains. "I finished on the podium here in my first race.
For my family it's a great day. My objective is to finish this season well and concentrate on continuing to achieve good results. That's the best way to fight for my goal of getting into F1. The announcement that Adrian Campos will enter F1 as early as 2010 is wonderful, and that I will be appointed a test driver is amazing. But I'm keeping my feet on the ground and will be doing everything I can to show great results for the rest of the 2009 season."

13.06.2009 - Le Mans Formula - Race

Natacha asoociated with her teamate à Christophe Pillon come up from the 10th position to the 2nd before ending the race at the 3rd position.

Race 12 laps

1 Dams CRONJE Gavin/VERDONCK Nicolas
2 Hope Pole Vision Racing MAKELA Valle/BECHE Mathias
3 Hope Pole Vision Racing GACHNANG Natacha/PILLON Christophe
4 Dams CAPILLAIRE Vincent/ROSIER Fabien
5 GRAFF Racing CANAL Julien/BADEY Ludovic
6 Boutsen Energy Racing CHALANDON Gary/KRAIHAMER Dominik
7 Ibanez Racing Service CAVAILHES William /DA ROCHA Frederic
8 Applewood - LD Autosport FAGGIONATO Marc/HAEZEBROUK Philippe
9 Boutsen Energy Racing BELTOISE Anthony/ABERGEL Gabriel
10 Exagon Racing DUCHENE Thomas/IHARA Keiko
11 Applewood - LD Autosport TOULEMONDE Damien/ZOLLINGER David
12 Boutsen Energy Racing BALLAY Pascal/SCHEIER Joan-Boris
13 Dams MORO Luca/KAUFMANN Wolfgang

04.06.2009 Le Mans Formula - Tests in Magny-Cours

Summary

In order to prepare the race with the Le Mans Formula at Le Mans on June 13th, Natacha had the opportunity to drive the car of the Team Oreca for 15 laps.

She got used to reight away and made an excellent chrono of 1:34.87 just after a few laps.

Pictures Guillaume - Formule2.com

30.05.2009 15:30 - F2 Race 2

Summary

Natacha Gachnang: "The potential is there"

Saturday 30 May 2009 - Natacha Gachnang (18) - Formula Two
Qualifying - P14 - 1.28.729
Race 1 - P11
Race 2 - DNF - victim of accident at start

Saturday 30 May 2009 - The weekend at Valencia was full of emotion for Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss driver from Aigle. This first round of the new Formula 2 season marked the series' return after its last event 25 years ago. This weekend 25 drivers lined up in identical cars running Avon tyres.

For Natacha, like her rivals, there was a lot to get used to with the new car and circuit to learn also. Fortunately the weather was good all weekend, remaining dry and sunny - a marked contrast to pre-season tests at Snetterton and Silverstone where rain disrupted running.

In the first race Natacha finished eleventh, having started fourteenth. She narrowly missed out on points. In the second race she was unable to show her potential: hit at the start by another driver, her car was too badly damaged to continue.

"I wanted points this weekend so I'm disappointed," Natacha said. "Yesterday I was encouraged by finishing the race in a competitive eleventh place after some challenging moments and was confident of doing better in race two. However I was hit in the second corner by another car which mounted my rear left tyre after and sent me off into the gravel trap. That was the end of my race. You never know what will happen in a race, but I had hoped for a positive result for the team which has worked so hard."

"The next F2 round is at Brno on 19-20 June. It's a track that I know well, having clocked the best times in Formula BMW testing in 2003 against Vettel and I also have experience driving there in 2006 as the rookie for A1 Team Switzerland. But beforehand, I will be making my first visit to Le Mans in the European Master's Series with Hope Polevision Racing on 12 June, a mini-endurance race with two drivers per car."

http://www.mstworld.com/live/LiveTimingF2.html
http://www.mstworld.com
http://www.formulatwo.com/news/race-1.aspx

Live results on
http://www.mstworld.com

Photos on http://natacha-gachnang.ch
And ftp://www.insightf1.com

For more information contact:

Jean-Marc Piage
[email protected] +41798215678

Agnes Carlier
[email protected]

30.05.2009 15:30 - F2 Race 1

Summary

Qualification P14 - 1.28.729
Race 1 - P11
Natacha Gachnang (18)eleventh on F2 debut

Saturday 30 May 2009 - Natacha Gachnang, the Swiss driver from Vevey finished eleventh in her debut F2 race, the first since the series has returned after a 25-year absence. 25 drivers were in action in equal cars running Avon tyres.

Natacha had a good start from 14th on the grid only for the safety car to be deployed as another driver had gone off on the first lap. Once the race resumed she found a strong and competitive pace, and ended the race eleventh.

"I really wanted to score points, but I'm happy to have finished the first race of the new season in a respectable position. I had a good start and had a good feeling in the car by the second corner I'd already made it up to tenth or eleventh. Then I had to take drastic action to avoid a collision with another car and that lost me a significant amount of time. I had to go off track and was worried that the car might have been damaged. But I kept pushing. By the twelfth lap I was fifteenth and had a good, consistent pace. By the sixteenth lap I was up to thirteenth and pushing hard, but the tyres were beginning to deteriorate which made it difficult.

It's important to keep going as you never know what can happen. By the 23rd lap I was up to eleventh and that's where I finished.

Congratulations to Wickens, Iaconelli and Vasiliauskas who took the first podium positions of the series. For tomorrow I've got more confidence because I have already
seen how competitive we can be, especially in these hot conditions. The important thing will be to get through the first lap and that I think will be the secret to having a chance of points."

30.05.2009 11:30 - F2 Qualifications Race 2

Summary

second qualifying - 1.28.253
Natacha Gachnang . "P14 for qualifying 2 for race 2"

Saturday, May 30, 2009 - A gorgeous morning for the start of Q2 to prepare for the race 2 of the new F2 Championship with all cars running on Avon Tires.

In the second qualifying session, Switzerland's Aigle born 21 years old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, clocked 1.28.819 and ranked 9th on her 5th lap, 1.147' from the two fastest drivers until then, Bortolotti 1.27.672 and Wickens 1.27.713. Then Natacha finished the second qualifying 14th overall with a time of 1.28.253.

Natacha Gachang said: " Overall I am pleased with this session. I was fast right away with 1.28.819 and ranked 9th position. Then after we stopped, I was out again to improve my times. The car was working fine. I had traffic and I lost a few valuable seconds. I finished in 1.28.253, but I am only 0.765 from the poleman for race 2 Wickens. Considering that we are 16 drivers in the same second, it is really really a quick pace for all of us. The car got better over the week-end and I do hope we can improve the potential to top 8. With a good start and a strong overtaking program... I am ready for a positive race week-end, and I am convinced that we can finish in the points."

2009 Race Calendar
29-31 May - Valencia
19-21 Jun - Brno
26-28 Jun - Spa Francorchamps
17-19 Jul - Brands Hatch
15-16 Aug - Donington Park
04-06 Sep - Oschersleben
18-20 Sep - Imola
30-01 Nov - Barcelona

29.05.2009 18:30 - F2 Qualifications Race 1

Summary

First free practice 12th 1.29.056
second free practice, 16th 1.30.057
qualifying 14th - 1.28.729

Natacha Gachnang . "P14 for qualifying 1 for race 1"

Friday, May 29, 2009 - The weather was still quite warm despite a few clouds after a bright sunny day for the first 30 minutes long qualifying of the new F2 Championship with all cars running on Avon Tyres. Switzerland's Aigle born 21 years old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, clocked 1.28.729 and ranked 14th on her 9th lap, less than 0.954' from the pole man Wickens. But a defect fuel pump prevented her to improve her time at the end of her first flying lap on new tires.

Natacha Gachang said: "My first laps were fast and I clocked 1.29.246 which brought me to 11th position. Then I constantly improved my times from the morning working sessions and finished with 1.28.729.
I was in my first flying lap on new tires when the fuel pump caused problems for the second time of the season. I even had to help the marshals push quickly my car out of the track.

Today was a full working day and our first chance to work on the car again since our two testing sessions in Snetterton and Silverstone.

With Mike Rowe, my engineer we need to analyse this first session and understand why the car is still very nervous and how we can improve. We still have a second qualifying session tomorrow morning for our race 2 and to prepare the strategy for our afternoon's race 1. The car is not back from Parc Fermé yet. Of course I would have liked a higher result on the grid as preparation for the race 1 tomorrow. With a good start and a strong overtaking program...and a wise race, we can finish in the points"

29.05.2009 15:00 - F2 Free Practice Session 2

Summary

Natacha Gachnang . "A good day's work"
Friday, May 29, 2009 - It was a bright sunny day for the first outing of the new F2 Championship with all cars running on Avon Tyres.

Switzerland's Aigle born 21 years old Natacha Gachnang, the only female driver in the relaunched Formula Two championship, finished the morning free practice in 12th place with a time of 1.29.056, only 1.256' behind experienced Spain Andy Soucek (1.27.800.)

In the afternoon for the second free practice, Natacha's time 1.30.057 brought her to 16th position.

Natacha Gachang said: "Today was a full working day and our first chance to work on the car again since our two testing sessions in Snetterton and Silverstone. I know the track here in Valencia, but it always takes a bit of time to acclimatise.

The car was difficult to master in the morning and the track was a bit dirty after the early morning Trofeo Abarth 500 session. The car was understeering more than I expected and I had to pay attention to the braking. For the second session, we needed to change a lot to radically improve. The car showed better consistency in the corners.

I had planned a flying lap towards the end of the session. However, our timing was wrong and the checkered flag dropped. Even without a run on new tires I am overall happy with my day as preparation for the qualifying session later this afternoon."

29.05.2009 12:00 - F2 Free Practice Session 1

Summary

Natacha finished 12th of this 1st free practice session (1:29.056). Her car had important lacks in all sections of the circuit. The next session is schedule at 13:30 with her car adapted.

28.05.2009 - F2 Natacha's Biography

Summary

Natacha Gachnang breaks new grounds in Formula Two Championship

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - This week, Natacha Gachnang is again breaking new ground as the first female to participate in the newly launched
2009 FIA Formula Two championship which will feature 24 identical cars designed by the Williams F1 team and has been created to be the ultimate feeder category to Formula One.

Natacha Gachnang was born in Vevey, Switzerland on 27 October 1987. Her hobbies are climbing, helicopter skiing and shopping. She has been very successful so far in her young career and believes that, "you must have racing in your blood to be any good." Not only did Natacha's grandfather Georges race in the Le Mans 24 Hours race in 1960, but she is also a cousin of Sebastien Buemi, who races in F1 with Scuderia Toro Rosso.

Natacha began racing competitively in karting in
1996 and by 2001 won enough races to become the Go Kart Swiss Champion. She has now some eight years of karting experience and four years of experience in international single seater racing.
Whether Formula BMW (where she finished sixth overall in 2005 with several podiums), to Formula
3 Germany and Formula 3 Euroseries in 2006.
Natacha represented her country in A1 GP and after a test at Silversone, she was appointed the rookie for the A1 Team Switzerland in the second A1 GP race of the season in Brno in 2006.

Natacha is also a graduate in the States of the Mazda Championship where she raced in 2007 and climbed straight on the second step of the podium in Portland. She also made Mazda series history with back-to-back podium finishes in 2007.

More recently, Natacha took a third place in the Spanish F3 Championship and victory in the 2008 Spanish F3 Cup.

In parallel to the Formula 2 Championship the very promising Natacha Gachnang will line up alongside young Colombian Tatiana Calderón in the Radical European Masters' Series for the Fribourg-based team. This championship is a curtain raiser to the Le Mans Series, on coming June 12, in Le Mans where it will take the form of a mini-endurance race with two drivers per car.

This year Natacha is out to score good results in both the Formula 2 Championship and the Radical European Masters to achieve her aim, Formula 1, to race against her cousin Sébastien Buemi.

The F2 testing action is still vivid in her mind and Natacha Gachnang explains: "The test sessions in May were really great despite the wet weather.
The car feels really positive and although I wasn't pushing too hard I have done my best and you can feel that the car is really powerful and it will be a good apprenticeship towards Formula One. I'm very happy to be racing here amongst promising talents. I hope we will have a good season. I can't wait to be in the car again on the dry track."

Natacha Gachnang
Date of birth: 27 October 1987
Nationality: Swiss
Place of birth: Vevey
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 58 - 60kg

Languages: French, English, German
Hobbies: Climbing, Helicopter Skiing, Shopping
Personality: To give the best every time Favorite Drink: Mineral water, Orange juice Favorite meal: Pasta and 'Filet de perche' (special fish from Switzerland) Favorite race track: Nuerburgring, Ledenon First race: Go Kart Swiss Championship 1996
Internet: <http://natacha-gachnang.ch/>http://natacha-gachnang.ch

28.05.2009 - F2 Preview of the 1st meeting in Valencia Cheste

Summary

Natacha Gachnang ready for F2 season debut in Valencia

Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - The new F2 championship, which will feature 24 identical cars running on Avon Tyres has been created as the ultimate feeder category for Formula One. Designed to be an affordable series for aspiring young drivers, the maiden season begins this weekend at Valencia, Spain with sixteen races that will take place at eight circuits across Europe,
25 years since the F2 last season.

21-year-old Swiss driver Natacha Gachnang is part of the line-up and hopes to have a successful season. Natacha is the only female driver in the re-launched Formula Two championship - she also hopes to follow her cousin Sebastien Buemi into Formula 1.

"I started racing when I was just five years old," she explains. "My father Olivier bought me a kart for Christmas and I was immediately hooked. For us, in the family, racing is a family story. Our grandfather Georges raced in Le Mans (1960) and now Sebastien Buemi is in F1 at Toro Rosso. I have been working my way up from karting, into F2 and now I have some very strong results behind me and am looking forward to adding to that in F2."

During the first F2 test sessions in May 2009, at Silverstone, Natacha Gachnang had the most track time, completing 94 laps in her new F2 car. "It was a good reward and a good way to end the first test day of testing.
Overall, the weather prevented us working more on the car."

The first round is in Valencia, Spain on 31 May, 2009. Natacha adds: "For sure, the championship will be very tight. There's no real hierarchy as the differences are minimal. No less than 21 drivers were in the same second when you read some of the testing result sheets! I know Valencia of course.
It is an interesting technical track. But it is not my favourite. Let see what we can get out of there. I am eager to discover with my engineer the limit of the car on this track. "

24.05.2009 - F2 Provosional Schedule of the 1st meeting in Valencia Cheste

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next weekend race:

Friday 29.05.2009

09:45 - 10:15 1st Official free practice session
13:00 - 14:00 2nd Official free practice session
17:30 - 18:00 3rd Official free practice session

Saturday 30.05.2009

10:15 - 10:45 Qualifications Race 2
14:20 - 15:10 Race 1 (Round 1) TV Eurosport 2

Sunday 31.05.2009

13:45 - 14:45 Race 2 (Round 2) Web TV FormulaTwo

06.05.2009 - F2 Tests Silverstone global summary

Competition

This 3rd day of testing was marked by a capricious weather. Dry in the morning and early afternoon, the last session ended in the rain.

First turns of wheel on the track she did not know, Natacha had to spit in their hands to get correct laps times. After a 1st session initiation, Natacha has quickly taken her marks detected the weaknesses of her car. Two pit stop allowed her to win on almost 2 seconds after an adjustment of the setting

In the middle of the 2nd session a mechanical problem forced her to stop for an intervention.

The rest of the day took place in the rain.

The test is quite positive since Natacha got the 16th time in used tires, and was able to test some changes to the setting of her car.

06.05.2009 - F2 Tests Snetterton global summary

Competition

We can say that the championship will be very tight. There's no real hierarchy as the differences are minimal. Indeed, it is not less than 21 pilots who are in the same second!

There is no doubt that on other tracks, the ranking will be different but the differences will stay minimal.

Natacha has done 96 laps before stopping for a mechanical problem.

She realized the 16th time of the afternoon with 1'128 behind the best time. The 10th place is credited with 1:00.164, 10 places within 4 tenths!

The next test is at Silverstone on May 18. Hope that the mechanical problem does not disrupt the day of testing.

06.05.2009 - F2 Tests Snetterton 2nd day

Competition

For this 2nd day of testing, the rain did not show, even if the sky is threatening.

The 24 pilots did one test sessionand we can see that the gap between the pilots is minimal.

Natacha is 7 tenths away from the best time. They are not less than 20 drivers that are the same in seconds!

2nd free practice session is underway and will see if the hierarchy is being established following the adaptation of the settings.

05.05.2009 - F2 Tests Snetterton 1st day

Competition

The F2 season has started !

The 1st day of testing began in the rain for the administrative side. Fortunately, the track dried for the 1st turns of the wheel of this magnificent F2.

Running of the gears box, elements controls everything within 5 laps.

The 2nd session will take place and Natacha can't wait to be on the track.

03.05.2009 - Spa-Francorchamp Schedules - Radical European Master

Competition

Here is below the time Schedule of the next race meeting :

Friday 08.05.2009

19:35 - 10:35 Free practice
13:55 - 14:25 Qualifications

Saturday 09.05.2009

11:05 - 11:50 Race 1 (Global race 3)
17:15 - 18:00 Race 2 (Global race 4)

05.04.2009 - 1:30 Radical European Master - Barcelona - Race 2

Summary

For the 2nd race of Sunday, the duo Calderon / Gachnang again distinguished itself by finishing at the 8th place overall behind their teammates Niclolet / Beche.

Although faster, Natacha could not get rid of Nicolet to fetch Meidinger. There was even a "Touchette" between Natacha and Nicolet when she wanted to overpass at the end of the straith line.

04.04.2009 - 16:30 Radical European Master - Barcelona - Race 1

Summary

The duo Gachnang and Calderon have finished 12th in the overall and 2nd in the category of SR5. Longtime 8th, Natacha received a penalty of 10 seconds for non-compliance with the rules before the start loosing 2 places before the change of driver. Tatiana more slowly lost 2 places.

The conditions were good and Natacha showed she was very quick.

For tomorrow, we expect a 1st place in the category of SR5.

03.04.2009 - 17:00 Radical European Master - Barcelona - Free practice

Summary

The free test session went well for the car No. 60 of the girls Gachnang and Calderon.

The teammate had 40 minutes of testing punctuated by 3 red flags. For her first participation, Tatiana was credited with a 1:55.6 against 1:53.6 for Natacha who could made only 2 laps.

We can reasonably expect a good qualifying session for tomorrow.

03.04.2009 - Radical European Master - Barcelona - Free practice

Summary

It is with Tatiano Calderon, a young female driver of 16 years old, coming from Colombia, that Natacha will race the European Championship Formula Radical.

The Barcelona track is dry and the weather is at the moment nice.

As Natasha already knows the track, it was agreed that Tatiana will perform the most possible laps to learn the track.

The test session is scheduled at 15:10 for 60 minutes.

01.04.2009 - Radical European Master - Barcelona - Schedule 1st meeting of Barcelona

Summary

Below are the temporaries schedules of next week-end race:

Friday 03.04.2009

15:10 - 16:10 Official free practice session

Saturday 04.04.2009

10:00 - 10:30 Qualifications
14:00 - 14:45 Race 1 (Round 1, 45')

Sunday 05.04.2009

09:30 - 10:15 Race 2 (Round 2, 45')

10.02.2009 - Official presentation of the F2 JPH1

Summary

It was Monday March 2nd, that held the official presentation of the F2 JPH1 developed by Williams and his engineer, Patrick Head. After a few laps, we were able to approach it and admire its pure forms.

There is still much work to do but the car is already close to the assembly in series, which is expected in early April.

28.02.2009 - New Sponsors

12.02.2009 - Official presentation of the F2 in Brands Hatch (UK)

Summary

The official presentation of the new F2 will be held in Brands Hatch (UK)on March 2nd, 2009.

Provisional 'F2 launch' Schedule:


09:00 Arrival and breakfast in the Brands Hatch Media Centre
09:30 Introductory briefing with Jonathan Palmer
10:30 The official unveiling of the new Williams JPH1 FIA Formula Two Championship car

10:40 Williams JPH1 F2 car demonstration laps
11:15 Williams JPH1 to be part of a group photo shot on the grid with other championship cars racing at Brands Hatch in 2009

11:30 Opportunity to interview F2 drivers, test driver, Jonathan Palmer and F2 technical team (appointment necessary)

13:00 Buffet lunch available in the Media Centre
14:00 Demo laps from other vehicles attending the Brands Hatch season launch

02.02.2009 - Kickoff of the Hockey game HC Servette - Langnau

Summary

It was in an ice rink almost fills that occurred the game the hockey game between Servette HC and Langnau HC.

Guest of honor, Natacha has kicked off the meeting.

Despite its presence as a supporter, HC Servette bowed after firing the goals.

Unlike her cousin Sebastian, she had no right to visit the dressing rooms!

Sabine Zahner

The official ceremony of the 2008 Award of the Spanish Championship of Formula 3 took place on Thursday 29 January 2009 in Madrid.

Organized by the Spanish Federation of the Automobile, the gala finally ended the 2008 season which was full of bounce.

Natacha is on the 3rd step of the podium in the Spanish Championship and won the Spanish Cup Title.