- Barber Motorsports Park next up in Formula Regional Americas
- Lundqvist remains undefeated in rookie campaign
- Important weekend ahead as mid-season break looms
Five races - five wins. Linus Lundqvist has blitzed the opposition so far in the early parts of Formula Regional Americas. As the season continues this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, however, it's all to play for once again, with a trio of important races to be disputed ahead of an extensive two-month break.
Despite contesting his rookie season on the U.S. racing scene, 21-year-old Lundqvist has created headlines for all the right reasons so far in 2020.
Powering to an instant clean-sweep in the opening double-header round of the campaign at Mid-Ohio, the Swedish newcomer then went on to win all three races staged at the subsequent meeting at Virginia International Raceway.
Having won every single race so far, Lundqvist has attained a perfect score of 125 points atop the championship standings, which he now leads by 49 from Indy Lights convert David Malukas (USA).
Further underlining his grip on the early parts of the season, the Global Racing Group youngster has clinched all pole positions at stake and set the fastest lap in four out of the five races. On his way to victory, he has also erased the previous lap records at both Mid-Ohio and VIR.
In what can only be labelled a perfect start to his American adventures, Lundqvist is understandably keen for more, although with yet another new acquaintance coming up at Barber Motorsports Park, it's going to be hard work once again.
"I've got a good feeling, we know we're strong and clearly we have the pace to win races, but I'd be foolish to take anything for granted," says Linus Lundqvist. "It's really much the same heading into this weekend as in previous races. It's another brand new track for me, possibly slightly more challenging this time than at VIR because we don't have a day of testing on Thursday.
"It was the same at Mid-Ohio, though, and it went pretty well there, so it's not really something I worry about. I'm happy to be racing again and can't wait to try out Barber, which looks like a lot of fun!"
At the conclusion of this weekend, Formula Regional Americas is heading into a lengthy, eight-week in-season break triggered by the effects of COVID-19-induced calendar revisions. With the Honda-powered single-seater championship not resuming until late September in Florida, the imminent races in Alabama will be of extra psychological importance.
"You always want to finish things off well, whether it's a full season or heading into a long hiatus,"Lundqvist admits. "It just makes life so much easier on every level if you can take a strong result into that break. We did see last time out at VIR that especially one team had closed the gap on us, so it won't be easy, but of course I want to win again this weekend."
Running at Barber Motorsports Park gets underway with a brace of practice sessions on Friday, followed by qualifying and Race 1 of the weekend on Saturday. Races 2 and 3 take place on Sunday.
Live streaming is available at https://fanracing.live for all races of the season. There is also a dedicated "Race Centre" portal at www.linuslundqvistracing.se, featuring the live streaming links as well as timing details, the latest results and more.
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