Michael Lewis' 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship Season Closes With a Top-10
- 19 nov 2013
"Yeah it has definitely been an interesting year," Lewis reflects. "Not where I wanted to end up, because last year I won a race, and I was generally around the top-5. It's hard to accept sometimes that the results aren't there, but I kept strong and tried to get the best out of the situation. Every lap I went as hard as I know how to drive, so that was positive."
The 10th and final round of the 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship visited Hockenheim, Germany, and Lewis was determined to finish the last race of the season on a high note. Although the weather would once again prove demanding at best, with a torrential rainstorm depositing standing water on the track, and the race starting under the yellow flag, and the Safety Car leading the pack of 28 drivers for a few laps to spread the water around the track – the dude did abide. Laguna Beach, California's native son held tough to finish with his 8th top-10 finish of the season.
"I mean, considering where I started back in 18th, it was a pretty good result," said Lewis. "I was even up to P8 fighting to get into the top-5, but with so much rain, each corner people were flying off and crashing, so I brought the car back home for a top-10." Adding to the noteworthiness of this 8th place season ending finish is that Hockenheim is where Lewis crashed during qualifying earlier in the season. "It didn't do anything," Lewis affirms about the violet impact which was recorded at 21G's. "That's an honest response. For a day or two after the crash I was still feeling the effects of my concussion, but I got right back where I left off at the next race in the A1 ring." For the most part though, the ups where every bit as significant as the downs during 2013 for the young K&N sponsored driver. "In terms of a highlight, I remember rolling out to Silverstone and being P2 in practice after not being in the car for five months," Lewis recalls, "that was pretty cool. Also there were some races like Vallelunga, Nürburgring, Hockenheim and Norisring where I was super fast in the races and got some good results."
Lewis was in fact very good in every race and always in the battle all season long, and with the finicky nature of racing being what it is, the same amount of focus and effort will statistically produce even greater results next season. "For 2014 we have some exciting new plans and I hope to share them with everyone as soon as possible" Lewis teases. "Until then we will have to wait." On the subject of living half his year abroad Lewis says, "Living in Europe has always been pretty special. Mainly because of the great quality of food, and just being in a place that is massively different than America. I will always miss the food of Italy (where I had an apartment). Right now I am back in California preparing for 2014." "I would like to take this opportunity to thank K&N Motorsports for the coverage of my 2013 European Racing experiences. It has been fun to share them with all of my fans and it was an honor to represent a brand such as K&N Motorsports this year, and since 2010. That's a four-year partnership. Pretty cool! All the best, and keep on the lookout for what I will be doing this upcoming 2014 season on my Facebook page. |
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| Related K&N News Articles about FIA Formula 3: Michael Lewis on the Ups and Downs of 2013 and the FIA Formula 3 Masters at Zandvoort; Michael Lewis is Back to Full Speed in the 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship; Michael Lewis Stays with PREMA Powerteam to Compete In FIA Formula 3 Euro Series Championship |
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