Germany: Summary - Champion profile - Statistics

Formula BMW ADAC Championship 2004

The 2004 season of the Formula BMW ADAC Championship was focussed on Sebastian Vettel. From the very first race, the 17-year-old from Heppenheim in Hesse dominated the field comprising 27 drivers. 14 pole positions and 18 wins in 20 championship races gave the high-school student an impressive tally. He had a podium place after every race. During his two years (2003, 2004) in the Formula BMW ADAC Championship, Vettel notched up a total of 23 wins. This run of victories makes him the most successful Formula BMW driver worldwide. Only the Brazilian Atila Abreu succeeded in wresting two victories from Vettel this season. The 17-year-old from Sotocaba won the third championship race on the Adria International Raceway and the sixth race held during the Formula One Grand Prix at the Nürburgring. The two formula rookies Chris van der Drift and Sébastien Buemi also put in strong performances. New Zealander van der Drift took the Rookie of the Year title by securing 18 top-three placings in the Rookie standings with eight wins, just ahead of Buemi. As the best newcomer, he also received a sponsorship package valued at 50,000 euros from BMW and the German Automobile Association (ADAC). Swiss driver Buemi is only 15 years old. He achieved third place in the championship behind Vettel and Abreu by continually improving his position in the overall standings. He gained a podium place ten times by coming in second or third. The only girl in the field was 16-year-old Natacha Gachnang of Switzerland. She took fourth place twice in the eleventh and twelfth races on the Nürburgring and was placed twelfth in the overall standings. Federico Montoya, the younger brother of the BMW WilliamsF1 Team driver Juan Pablo Montoya, gained his first experience in formula racing. The Colombian achieved his best season result in the 18th championship race in the Czech town of Brno, when he took fifth place.

Winners Formula BMW ADAC Championship 2004

Sebastian Vettel (Team Mücke Motorsport) is just 17 years of age, yet he is already a record-breaker with 18 wins in 20 races of the 2004 Formula BMW ADAC Championship, 387 points out of a possible 400, plus 14 pole positions. Never before has a Formula BMW Championship driver dominated the competition like this high-school pupil from Heppenheim. "Sebastian's performances were outstanding", says BMW Motorsport Director Dr Mario Theissen full of praise. Vettel's success formula? Professionalism coupled with talent. The young driver from the German state of Hesse climbed into his FB02 race after race at the peak of physical and mental fitness. Nobody was out jogging as early as he was to get his circulation pumping before a race. Nobody pored over the performance data as long as he did. Off-track, too, Vettel showed remarkable maturity in his dealings with journalists, sponsors and VIPs. After two years, he is now taking his leave of Formula BMW. "You never know what the future might hold", said Vettel, "but my dream is Formula One." If the Formula BMW ADAC Championship awarded prizes for the longest journey or the coolest participant name, New Zealander Chris van der Drift (Team Rosberg) would undoubtedly take them. But the 18-year-old drew attention to himself with his racing skills as well: after an exciting duel with Sébastien Buerni of Switzerland, he managed to win the Rookie classification. The 1.84-metre-tall junior driver is nicknamed "Kiwi", and he was duly accompanied to every race by a furry version of New Zealand's national bird. "He brought me good luck", declared van der Drift. Next season will definitely see the blond-haired driver back in Germany. As best rookie, he not only receives start-up funds of 50,000 euros from BMW and ADAC, but he can also take part in the education and coaching programme free of charge.

Final Results

Formula BMW ADAC Championship 2004.
Drivers Hockenheim Adria Raceway Nürburgring F1 EuroSpeedway Norisring Nürburgring Oschersleben Zandvoort Brno Hockenheim Total
1. *Sebastian Vettel (GER) 20 20 15 20 20 12 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 387
2. *Átila Abreu (BRA) 4 10 20 15 15 20 15 12 15 15 15 15 12 15 15 15 15 - 10 10 263
3. *Sébastien Buemi (SUI) 10 15 12 10 6 8 12 15 - - 6 6 15 - 12 10 12 12 15 12 188
4. *Chris Van der Drift (NZL) 12 12 4 6 10 10 6 - 12 12 2 3 8 12 3 8 6 15 12 15 168
5. Dominik Jackson (GBR) 15 8 8 8 12 15 8 6 3 6 4 - 3 - 2 - 3 4 - 4 109
6. Christopher Wassermann (AUT) 3 - 6 - 3 3 1 - 10 10 12 12 10 - 8 - 8 - 6 - 92
7. *Adrian Zaugg (RSA) - 6 - - 8 - 3 1 - - - 8 6 - 6 4 2 3 8 - 55
8. Fabio Onidi (ITA) - - 2 4 - 2 4 - - 2 - 1 - 10 - 6 10 10 - 3 54
9. Mario Josten (GER) 6 - - 12 - 6 - 3 4 8 - - - 8 - 1 - 1 3 - 52
10. Michael Vorba (CZE) 8 - 3 - - 4 - 8 6 - 3 2 4 1 4 2 - - - - 45

Formula BMW ADAC Championship 2004 - Rookies
Drivers Hockenheim Adria Raceway Nürburgring F1 EuroSpeedway Norisring Nürburgring Oschersleben Zandvoort Brno Hockenheim Total
1. *Chris Van der Drift (NZL) 20 15 15 15 20 20 15 - 20 20 15 12 15 20 10 12 12 20 15 20 311
2. *Sébastien Buemi (SUI) 15 20 20 20 12 15 20 20 - 2 20 15 20 - 20 15 20 15 20 15 304
3. Fabio Onidi (ITA) - 3 12 12 8 12 12 - 12 15 4 10 - 15 4 10 15 12 4 10 170
4. *Adrian Zaugg (RSA) 12 12 3 10 15 - 10 12 - - 8 20 12 - 12 8 8 10 12 - 164
5. *Marcel Jeleniowski (GER) 10 6 1 4 6 10 - 8 10 12 6 2 3 10 15 20 10 3 10 8 154
6. *Benjamin Leuchter (GER) 6 4 - 8 4 6 8 15 8 8 10 4 2 8 6 2 - 4 8 4 115
7. *Marco Holzer (GER) 2 10 10 6 10 8 4 10 15 - 1 - 10 - 8 4 4 6 - 6 114
8. Tim Sandtler (GER) 8 8 4 - - 4 6 - - 10 3 6 6 12 1 6 6 8 - 12 100
9. *André Pablo Sander (GER) 4 2 8 - - 3 3 6 3 6 12 8 8 2 - - 2 1 6 - 74
10. Henri Karjalainen (FIN) 3 - 6 2 3 2 2 3 4 3 - 3 - 6 2 1 3 - 2 - 45

Position 1  2  3  4  5 6 7 8 9 10
Points   20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1

* BMW scholarship drivers

Britain: Summary - Champion profile - Statistics

Formula BMW UK Championship 2004

Formula BMW UK brought a totally new concept to racing in the UK

For the first time drivers as young as 15 years old were allowed on the most demanding race tracks in the country, and the inaugural race meeting on Easter Sunday at Thruxton, a very tricky high speed track, set the tone for what was to prove a great series. After the weekend, any lingering concerns were dispelled. The 20 youngsters drove like veterans and the series had gained many new fans. The outcome was a dream for any racing series. Race one was won by a 15-year-old, Simon Walker Hansell, and race two by the only privateer in the series, Tim Bridgman. These races had proved very competitive with some close but safe driving. Neither winner had had it all his own way, and from then on the race wins were shared round the field. At the end of the 20 races there had been ten different winners, with Josh Fisher's four victories being the most for any driver. The championship battles for overall honours, the Rookie class and the Team cup all went down to the wire. In the overall battle Philip Glew led for most of the season, but Tim Bridgman was never far behind. Then later in the season Josh Fisher put in a charge, but as they lined up for the final race it was between Tim and Philip, with the difference just 1.5 points. Tim took the title in style with a fine win in this race.
Ross Curnow was the Rookie champion and took half the class wins. He was also the only Rookie to start from pole and go on to win a race, which he did in Knockhill. His battle for the Rookie title was with Sam Bird, and this was finally decided after the first race at the final event in Donington.

Carlin Motorsport won the team prize, again in a fight to the last chequered flag with Fortec Motorsport, and Stian Sørlie got the Sportsmanship Award, which was supported by Sir Frank Williams.

Winners Formula BMW UK Championship 2004

Tim Bridgman has proved the rebel of the championship as he has done it "his way". He is the only privateer driver in the series, and with a small but dedicated team behind him has taken on the professional teams and beat them to the title. Tim was a relatively late starter in the sport as he didn't drive a kart until 2001 when, at the age of 16, he drove a Formula Rotax Max. He was instantly successful, winning five and coming second in the nine races he entered. His parents decided they would feel better about him racing if it was in a car, so the next year he gained his racing licence and started racing in the Zip Formula. The results were very good in the first year with five wins, and exceptional in the second as he won nine of the twelve races, was crowned Zip Formula Champion and won the Jordan Cup.

He then moved on to Formula Renault for the winter series and was also given a test in a touring car by Barwell Motorsport, who he ended up competing against in Formula BMW UK. It was not difficult to pick out the team from Dunmow, Essex at the races as they slept in a motorhome in the paddock to save money. He was 19 in May, but by then he had won two races and come second in two others, and had started what was to become a series-long battle with Philip Glew for the title. Although Philip led going into the final weekend, Tim had a good race one, went into race two 1.5 points ahead and then sealed the championship in perfect style with his third win of the year.

Ross Curnow (Panther Motorsport) comes from a winning family, so it
was no surprise that he not only won the Formula BMW UK Rookie Cup, but
was the only driver in this class to claim a pole and win a race outright. Halfway through 2004 Ross celebrated his 17th birthday, but despite proving to be quick and skilful on track failed his driving test for the public highway at his first attempt. However, the driver from Salisbury, Wiltshire didn't let this put him off and went on to emulate his father Alan, who was a successful saloon car racer in the 1960s and '70s, winning both races and championships. Ross started racing karts in 1996 at the age of nine. His first machine was a Comer Cadet, and over the next few years he claimed titles in the Southern and South West Championships. He then progressed to the Junior Rotax Class and by 2003 was selected as a member of the England Junior Team at the Internations Race Meeting. But he realised his dream when, after attending the Formula BMW Racing Center in Valencia, Spain, he was selected as a recipient of a BMW scholarship for the UK's inaugural championship and did a deal to drive for the newly formed Panther Motorsport. He was soon on the pace, winning the Rookie class at the first race at Oulton Park. The wins came thick and fast, and when he lifted the Rookie class at the prizegiving in Donington he had ten to his credit.

Final Results

Formula BMW UK Championship 2004.
Drivers Thruxton Brands Hatch Silverstone Oulton Park Mondello Croft Knockhill Rockingham Brands Hatch Donington Park Total
1. Tim Bridgman (GBR) 8 20 15 15 20 8 3 6 15 12 10 12 3 1 12 8 12 15 15 20 230
2. Philip Glew (GBR) 6 12 20 20 10 15 12 15 12 8 15 10 - 1,5 10 12 10 10 10 2 210.5
3. Josh Fisher (GBR) 10 - 10 6 - 20 15 - 20 10 20 20 4 4 3 10 6 8 6 8 180
4. João Urbano (POR) 12 10 12 12 - 10 - 20 6 4 6 4 - 7,5 20 15 20 - - 15 173,5
5. James Sutton (GBR) - - - 8 12 - 20 4 - 15 8 15 1 3 15 20 15 - - - 136
6. Stian Sørlie (NOR) 15 - - 10 - 6 1 12 8 3 12 8 15 10 4 3 - 4 12 10 133
7. Oliver Turvey (GBR) 2 1 4 - 4 - 2 10 - - 2 6 8 2 8 6 4 20 - 4 83
8. *Ross Curnow (GBR) 1 - - - - 4 6 - 10 6 4 - 20 6 - 1 - - - 12 70
9. Simon Walker-Hansell (GBR) 20 8 2 - 6 - - - - 20 - 2 - - - - 2 3 - - 63
10. Ollie Smith (GBR) - 3 8 3 15 - - 3 3 - - 3 10 - - - - 6 8 - 62

Formula BMW UK Championship 2004 - Rookies

Drivers Thruxton Brands Hatch Silverstone Oulton Park Mondello Croft Knockhill Rockingham Brands Hatch Donington Park Total
1. *Ross Curnow (GBR) 20 15 20 12 6 20 15 - 20 20 20 20 20 10 10 20 - - 12 20 280
2. *Sam Bird (GBR) 8 6 8 20 12 15 20 20 15 6 15 12 12 6 15 12 - 12 15 10 239
3. *Dean Smith (GBR) - 10 12 10 20 6 - 10 10 8 8 10 10 5 12 10 15 20 20 15 211
4. *Jack Goldstraw (GBR) 10 8 10 8 8 10 12 - 8 15 12 - 15 7,5 8 8 20 15 10 12 196.5
5. *Jordan Wise (GBR) 12 20 - 15 15 8 8 12 12 10 10 15 - - 20 15 - 10 - - 182
6. Marcos Vilenha (BRA) 15 12 15 - 10 12 10 15 - 12 - - - - - - - - - - 101

Position 1  2  3  4  5 6 7 8 9 10
Points   20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1
* BMW scholarship drivers

USA: Summary - Champion profile - Statistics

Formula BMW USA 2004

As the 140 bhp racing cars scorch through the banked turn side by side before hitting the the home straight, thousands of spectators rise to their feet. Most have them have actually come to the tradition-steeped Indianapolis Motor Speedway solely to watch the Formula One Grand Prix due to start in a few hours' time. But right now they are enthralled by the Formula BMW USA race in progress. When one of their compatriots - 19-year-old Matt Jaskol from Las Vegas - takes the chequered flag, they celebrate the exultant winner with a standing ovation. This guest appearance at Indianapolis is arguably the highlight of a debut season that has proved to be an all-round success. "Formula BMW USA has established itself as the most important junior series in American open  wheel racing", summarized BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen.  "The competition was very close and almost all 14 races proved exciting right up to the final turn."  Reflecting the balance of the series was the fact that eight drivers made it onto the podium while 20 managed to collect points. Four of them - Jaskol and fellow-American Jonathan Summerton, just 16, Andreas Wirth (19) from Germany and Canadian James Hinchcliffe (18) - were still in contention for the title before the concluding races of the season at Laguna Seca. In the end, Wirth proved the most consistent driver and took the championship. The season left no doubt as to the wealth of young talent in the North American motor racing scene. Apart from Hinchcliffe and Summerton, Formula rookies such as 15-year-old Graham Rahal (son of the living legend of US racing, Bobby Rahal), Californians Tom Sutherland (15) and Billy Johnson (18), Tom Milner of Virginia and Trevor Daley from Canada (both 18) also attracted attention. "They have learnt a great deal this year", said Mario Theissen. But in 2005, the up-and-coming junior drivers will face a new, perhaps even more difficult task: they will have to demonstrate their maturity.

Winners Formula BMW USA 2004

It was clear from the very first race weekend that anyone aspring to the 2004 Formula BMW USA title would have to get past Andreas Wirth. The German driver competing for Team HBR Motorsport secured a commanding win in each of the two inaugural races at Lime Rock Park, took the lead in the overall rankings and defended it up to the final race. The 19-year-old from Waghäusel profited from his consistency: "Andreas finished in the top five in all fourteen races", noted BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. "None of his rivals was anywhere near as consistent as he was." Time and again, the Heidelberg-born driver managed to draw on the experience he had gleaned over the previous two years as a driver in the German Formula BMW ADAC Championship. Next season Andreas Wirth wants to move up to the next career rung - and cause a stir in Formula 3.

Over the last few months, 18-year-old James Hinchcliffe has had little time to devote to his acting passion. The Canadian's diary has been too packed. But on the outside, at any rate, Hinchcliffe never showed any sign of the dual strain of being in his final school year and marking his Formula BMW USA debut season. Ever cheerful, with a permanent smile on his face and as determined as anyone in the race, the sunshine boy from Ontario will have gained plenty of new fans this year. "James improved with every race this season", BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen lauded his performance.

Hinchcliffe's well-earned reward was to win the Rookie Championship, which secures the BMW scholarship driver 40,000 dollars for next year as well, along with a place in BMW's education and coaching programme. With this backing, the Team AIM Autosport driver will be gunning for overall victory in 2005. Hinchcliffe's chances of achieving that are good - so long as his learning curve continues on its upward path.

Final Results

Formula BMW USA 2004.
Drivers Lime Rock Park Montréal F1 Indianapolis F1 Cleveland Road America Denver Laguna Seca Total
1. Andreas Wirth (GER) 20 20 8 12 15 15 10 15 20 12 12 10 20 12 201
2. *James Hinchcliffe (CAN) 15 8 15 15 10 12 15 12 - 20 20 20 12 - 174
3. *Jonathan Summerton (USA) 10 - 20 8 20 10 20 20 - 15 8 2 15 15 163
4. Matt Jaskol (USA) - 15 12 20 - 20 12 - 12 10 15 15 10 20 161
5. Billy Johnson (USA) 8 6 6 10 8 8 4 4 8 8 3 4 8 3 88
6. Brian Frisselle (USA) 6 12 - - 1 6 6 10 15 6 1 - 3 2 68
7. *Graham Rahal (USA) 1 - - - 2 1 3 6 10 4 10 12 6 8 63
8. *Tom Milner (USA) 3 3 3 4 6 - 8 8 - 2 6 6 - 1 50
9. Lawson Aschenbach (USA) - - - 6 3 - 2 2 6 3 4 8 - 10 44
10. Kyle Herder (CAN) - - 10 3 - 3 - - 3 - 2 3 4 6 34

Formula BMW USA 2004 - Rookies.
Drivers Lime Rock Park Montreal F1 Indianapolis F1 Cleveland Road America Denver Laguna Seca Total
1. *James Hinchcliffe (CAN) 20 20 15 20 15 20 15 15 - 20 20 20 15 8 223
2. *Jonathan Summerton (USA) 15 3 20 15 20 15 20 20 8 15 12 10 20 20 213
3. *Graham Rahal (USA) 8 8 4 - 8 10 10 10 20 12 15 15 12 15 147
4. *Tom Milner (USA) 12 15 12 12 12 8 12 12 - 10 10 12 8 10 145
5. *Tom Sutherland (USA) 4 6 6 10 6 6 8 8 15 4 8 8 10 12 111
6. Alexis Fenton (USA) 2 4 2 8 4 3 - - 10 8 6 6 6 6 65
7. Derek Burseth (USA) 3 2 3 6 - 2 - 4 12 6 4 4 4 4 54
8. Federico Montoya (COL) - - 10 - 10 12 - - - - - - - - 32
9. *Trevor Daley (CAN) 10 12 - - - 4 - - - - - - - - 26
10. Alan Sciuto (USA) 6 10 - - - - - - - - - - - - 16

Position 1  2  3  4  5 6 7 8 9 10
Points   20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1
* BMW scholarship drivers

Asia: Summary - Champion profile - Statistics

Formula BMW Asia 2004

In April 2004, Formula BMW Asia embarked on its second season

The series had attracted a truly pan-Asian field with drivers from as far afield as Bahrain and Morocco and, closer to home, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea.

The 2004 season began as a support race to Bahrain's first Formula One Grand Prix, before moving to Malaysia's F1-standard Sepang International Circuit, the Bira Circuit in Thailand, Beijing, the Autopolis Circuit in Japan and Shanghai International Circuit, where the series formed part of China's inaugural Formula One Grand Prix. The season ended at South Korea's Taebaek Circuit.

At each event, the cream of Asia's most talented single-seater juniors did not disappoint, providing some of the most exciting - and hard-fought - racing to be found anywhere. It was not just the Championship and Rookie Cup points that were at stake, but also the personal milestones and rivalries which developed within the field that made the racing so spectacular from the start of the very first race in April to the final chequered flag in October.

In addition to 2004 Formula BMW Asia Champion Marchy Lee (Hong Kong), who dominated the season, and Rookie Cup winner Mehdi Bennani (Morocco), there were many drivers who made their mark this year.

One of the most notable was Tyson Sy of the Philippines, who turned 17 in October. In his second season, Sy's potential really came to the fore and he seriously challenged Lee on several occasions. One of the five BMW scholarship drivers this year, You Kyong-Ouk (Korea), also made his mark on the series, finishing second in the championship standings with seven podium finishes. You has benefited enormously from the comprehensive education and coaching programme, and his fitness and driving technique are unrecognisable compared with his first race in 2003.

Winners Formula BMW Asia 2004

Hong Kong's Marchy Lee Ying Kin (Team Meritus) set out at the start of
this season vowing to leave an indelible mark on Formula BMW Asia. Twelve victories and ten pole positions later, nobody could argue that he hadn't achieved his goal. The 28-year-old was already a household name in his native Hong Kong when he joined Formula BMW Asia, having started his career racing karts at the age of 15 before going on to compete in both Europe and Asia.

With considerably more experience than the other drivers in the field, the reason Lee signed up for the 2004 series was to increase his profile at home and make a name for himself across Asia - and the series has undoubtedly helped him in that regard. Standing on the top step of the podium in Shanghai during China's first Formula One Grand Prix was the highlight of Lee's season: "I still smile every time I think about my race in Shanghai. To hear the Chinese national anthem made me prouder than anything else I have ever achieved."

Mehdi Bennani (Team Meritus) is an extraordinary driver. The 20-year-old has the distinction of being Morocco's only single-seater racing driver and has the backing of the King of Morocco. A focussed young man, he takes his responsibility as a role model for youngsters in his country considering a motor sport career as seriously as he does his racing. "We can see the beginnings of a huge interest in motor sport in my country because of my taking part in Formula BMW Asia", he said. As well as counting the King of his country amongst his most enthusiastic supporters, Bennani has racing in his blood courtesy of his mother, Samira, the world's only female African Arab rally driver. Mother and son plan to compete in the Paris-Dakar Rally next year. Invaluable to Bennani this year has also been the support of his friend and mentor, 2000 French Formula 3 Champion Jonathan Cochet, who has been teaching and coaching the young Moroccan throughout the season.

Final Results

Formula BMW Asia 2004.
Drivers Bahrain F1 Sepang Bira Peking Autopolis Shanghai F1 Taebaek Total
1. Marchy Lee (HKG) 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 10 20 20 20 - 20 20 250
2. You Kyong-Ouk (KOR) 15 12 15 12 15 10 12 2 4 6 2 15 4 - 124
3. Mehdi Bennani (MAR) 10 8 - 15 12 12 8 15 8 12 - 12 - 12 124
4. Hanss Lin (TPE) 12 6 - - 10 15 15 20 12 - 3 - 12 15 120
5. Tyson Sy (PHI) - 15 12 10 6 1 2 - 15 15 12 2 10 8 108
6. Sheikk Salman Bin Rashid Al Khalifa (BRN) 3 2 6 3 8 8 10 12 6 2 - 10 8 6 84
7. Dado Pena (PHI) 8 10 10 8 4 - 1 8 10 - 10 8 6 - 83
8. *Hamed Al Fardan (BRN) - - 8 6 - 4 6 - - 10 15 6 15 10 80
9. *Nik Iruwan Nik Izani (MAL) 1 - - 1 1 - 4 6 3 1 - 20 1 4 42
10. *Robert T. Boughey (THA) 2 4 1 2 3 2 - 4 - 8 8 - 2 3 39

Formula BMW Asia 2004 - Rookies.

Drivers Bahrain F1 Sepang Bira Peking Autopolis Shanghai F1 Taebaek Total
1. Mehdi Bennani (MAR) 20 20 - 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 - 15 8 20 223
2. *Robert T. Boughey (THA) 12 15 12 12 15 10 10 12 10 12 15 - 15 10 160
3. *Hamed Al Fardan (BRN) - 10 20 15 - 15 15 - - 15 20 12 20 15 157
4. *Nik Iruwan Nik Izani (MAL) 10 8 10 10 12 8 12 15 15 8 - 20 12 12 152
5. *Han Han (CHN) 15 12 15 - 8 12 8 10 12 10 12 10 10 8 142
6. *Gaby Dela Merced (PHI) 8 6 8 8 10 6 6 8 - - - - - - 60

Position 1  2  3  4  5 6 7 8 9 10
Points   20 15 12 10 8 6 4 3 2 1
* BMW scholarship drivers

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