Formula Renault UK graduate Pippa Mann (Aldeburgh, Suffolk) is set to break new ground in 2007 when she becomes the first female driver to race in the World Series by Renault. The 22-year-old from Aldeburgh has contested five Formula Renault Championships in the last four seasons and continues her progress to Renault’s flagship category, driving a 425bhp, 3.5-litre Formula Renault WSR single-seater.
After a karting career in the UK and Europe, where she became the only female to win an International kart race, Pippa made her single-seater debut with Manor Motorsport in the 2003 Formula Renault UK Winter Series. She then contested the full 2004 Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship before switching her attention to Eurocup Formula Renault in 2005. Last season, Pippa was unique among drivers contesting both the Eurocup Formula Renault and Formula Renault UK Championships.
Now facing races on some of the world’s most famous circuits such as Monaco, Spa and Nürburgring, Pippa has another added pressure. While her fellow former Formula Renault UK competitors Katherine Legge and Susie Stoddart have risen through the ranks on either side of the Atlantic, Pippa is now racing at a higher European level than any other female racing driver to have graduated from Formula Renault UK.
“I must admit it feels quite a strange position to be in, †admits Pippa. “I’m one of three British female drivers, with Katherine and Susie, who have climbed the ladder in motorsport but because they are both a couple of years older than me, with everything I have done before they have been there first. Now I’m the first one to reach the level of World Series by Renault.
“The more natural progression from Formula Renault UK is to British Formula 3 but as soon as I tested Comtec Racing’s World Series hybrid car I knew I wanted to race in World Series by Renault. It’s a very big step up in lap times, power and grip but I feel I am ready. The jump in lap times from the Formula Renault 2.0 to World Series is much larger than between World Series and Formula One so that shows how much of a step up this season will be. â€
Having spent the last two season’s with the Norfolk-based Comtec Racing team, Pippa’s switch to Cram Racing has turned out to be relatively straightforward. Her new team has left its former Italian base and set up in Norfolk, causing Pippa very little upheaval.
Pippa commented: “It’s funny how it worked out with Cram moving here and it’s certainly easier for me logistically. But I would have chosen to move anywhere to work with the team because the people working there are exactly what I was looking for.
â€Roly Vincini is the new Team Manager and engineer and he worked with Comtec last season, engineering the car from scratch. I got the chance to work with him during winter testing and it was fantastic. He also thought I did a good job in the car so although Formula 3 was an option, when the opportunity came to join Roly at Cram it was the right decision. â€
The World Series by Renault begins at Zolder circuit, Belgium on 21st/22nd April.
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