2011 Superleague Formula season

The 2011 Superleague Formula season was the fourth and final season Superleague Formula championship. The series reverted to being known simply as "Superleague Formula", with 2009's two-year sponsorship deal with Sonangol also having expired.[1] The first race of the season was held on 5 June at Assen and was due to finish at a venue in New Zealand after 8 race weekends.

After three seasons in which the cars were run in club team colours, the 2011 season saw drivers competing in the colours of their nation,[2] with countries adorning team names as had been set out by Team China in 2010, thus beginning a severing of the strong links the series had attempted to make by linking each team entry with a football club. As many as eight of the announced fourteen entries no longer had links with football teams.

The season ended after just two of the scheduled rounds after a number of complications, which saw tracks not being ready in time for the series,[3] and disagreements with race organisers.[4]

Teams and drivers
  • All teams competed on Michelin tyres for the fourth season in a row.[5]
Entrant Race team No. Race driver(s) Rounds
Belgium Belgium – R.S.C. Anderlecht[6] Belgium Azerti Motorsport 1 Switzerland Neel Jani[7] All
Netherlands Netherlands – PSV Eindhoven[8] 2 Netherlands Yelmer Buurman[9] All
France France – Girondins de Bordeaux[10] 3 France Tristan Gommendy[11] All
Czech Republic Czech Republic – AC Sparta Prague[12] United Kingdom Atech Reid Grand Prix[13][14] 4 Czech Republic Filip Salaquarda[15] All
Luxembourg Luxembourg[2] 5 Belgium Frédéric Vervisch[2] All
New Zealand New Zealand[12] 6 New Zealand Earl Bamber[11] 1
New Zealand Chris van der Drift[16] 2
Japan Japan[11] 7 United Kingdom Duncan Tappy[11] 1
Netherlands Robert Doornbos[9][17] 2
Netherlands Netherlands[9] 8 1
Russia Russia[18] 17 Russia Mikhail Aleshin[18] 2
Spain Spain – Atlético de Madrid[11] Spain EmiliodeVillota Motorsport[11] 9 Spain María de Villota[11] 1
Spain Andy Soucek[11][19] 2
Turkey Turkey – Galatasaray S.K.[11] 10 1
United Kingdom Duncan Tappy[19] 2
China China[12] 11 China Ho-Pin Tung[11] 1
South Korea South Korea[12] 19 Germany Max Wissel[20] 2
Brazil Brazil[11] United Kingdom Alan Docking Racing[21] 14 Brazil Antônio Pizzonia[22] All
Australia Australia[2] 24 Australia John Martin[21] All
England England[2] 31 United Kingdom Craig Dolby[21] All

Driver changes

Entering/Re-Entering Superleague Formula

Leaving Superleague Formula

Mid-season changes

2011 Schedule
  • Superleague Formula announced its full 2011 calendar on May 2, which saw the championship embark on a "Nations Cup", with races on four different continents this season in 8 rounds. For the first time, races were scheduled to be held in Russia, Brazil (two races), the Middle East and New Zealand.[33] The Russian round, due to be held at the newly built Smolensk Ring, was later cancelled.[34] The Middle East round was later replaced by a round in South Korea and a second round in China was added to replace the Russian round. The two rounds in Brazil were cancelled after apparent issues with the track in Goiânia.[3] The series finale in New Zealand was later cancelled. The "Nations Cup" branding also had to be abandoned due to issues with naming rights which the series was still looking to resolve.[35]
  • With the announcement of the calendar, it was confirmed that each round was known as a 'Grand Prix'.[33]
  • The SF World Feed commentators at Zolder were Andrew Coley and Earl Bamber.

Race calendar and results
Round Grand Prix Date Pole Position Fastest Lap Winning Club Winning Team Weekend Winner Report
1 R1 Netherlands GP Assen – Holland 4–5 June France France – GDB France France – GDB Netherlands Netherlands – PSV Belgium Azerti Motorsport England England Report
R2 Czech Republic Czech Republic – SPR Japan Japan United Kingdom Atech Reid Grand Prix
2 R1 Belgium GP Zolder – Belgium 16–17 July England England New Zealand New Zealand England England United Kingdom Alan Docking Racing Luxembourg Luxembourg Report
R2 Australia Australia Australia Australia United Kingdom Alan Docking Racing

Cancelled races
Grand Prix Date
Russia GP Russia[34] 3–4 September
Brazil GP Goiânia – Brazil[3] 8–9 October
Brazil TBC[3] 15–16 October
China GP Beijing – China[4] 29–30 October
China GP Shanghai – China[4] 5–6 November
South Korea GP Seoul – South Korea[4] 12–13 November
New Zealand TBC[36] 10–11 December

Test calendar and results
  • There was a two-day pre-season test session at Spain's Circuito Monteblanco on 9–10 December 2010.[37]
  • The Circuito de Navarra in Spain was due to host a two-day test on 30–31 August 2011.[38] However, the scheduled event was cancelled, without an explanatory announcement.[39]

Championship standings
Pos Entrant Drivers ASS
Netherlands		 ZOL
Belgium		 Pts
R1 R2 S R1 R2 S
1 Australia Australia Australia John Martin 6 2 4 7 1 2 158
2 Japan Japan England Duncan Tappy 7 1 6 136
Netherlands Robert Doornbos 5 7 6
3 Luxembourg Luxembourg Belgium Frédéric Vervisch 3 13 DN 3 4 1 134
4 Netherlands Netherlands – PSV Eindhoven Netherlands Yelmer Buurman 1 10 3 6 6 7 130
5 Belgium Belgium – RSC Anderlecht Switzerland Neel Jani 4 9 7 2 9 3 125
6 England England England Craig Dolby 2 8 1 1 13 X 124
7 New Zealand New Zealand New Zealand Earl Bamber 9 5 X 113
New Zealand Chris van der Drift 4 8 5
8 Brazil Brazil Brazil Antônio Pizzonia 8 3 2 9 12 X 102
9 Czech Republic Czech Republic – AC Sparta Praha Czech Republic Filip Salaquarda 5 6 5 12 10 X 95
10 Turkey Turkey – Galatasaray SK Spain Andy Soucek 13 7 X 88
England Duncan Tappy 10 5 X
11 South Korea South Korea Germany Max Wissel 8 2 4 71
12 Russia Russia Russia Mikhail Aleshin 11 3 8 56
13 France France – Girondins de Bordeaux France Tristan Gommendy 14 4 X 14 11 X 52
14 China China China Ho-Pin Tung 10 11 X 34
15 Spain Spain – Atlético de Madrid Spain María de Villota 12 12 X 28
Spain Andy Soucek 13 14 X
16 Netherlands Netherlands Netherlands Robert Doornbos 11 DN X 16
Pos Entrant Drivers R1 R2 S R1 R2 S Pts
ASS
Netherlands		 ZOL
Belgium
Colour Result
Gold Winner
Silver 2nd place
Bronze 3rd place
Green Finished
Purple Did not finish
Red Did not qualify (X)
Black Disqualified (DQ)
White Did not start (DN)
Race cancelled (C)
Blank Excluded (EX)
Withdrew (WD)
Bold Pole position
Italics Fastest lap

NOTE – R2 starts
with reverse grid
S = Super Final

Race 1 and 2 points
Position1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th14th15th16th17th18th19th20th21st22ndDNFDNS
Points50454036322926232018161412108765432100
Super Final points
Position1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8thDNQDNS
Points6543210000
  • New for 2011 was the alteration that the top 8 points-scorers from the weekend would compete in the Super Final, in contrast to 2010 where only the top 6 would qualify.[2]

References
  1. "Sonangol becomes Superleague Formula title sponsor for 2009 and 2010 seasons". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 24 June 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-06-27. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  2. "Superleague Formula gets underway in Assen". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 1 June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  3. "Ongoing track changes force cancelation of Superleague Formula Series' Brazil dates". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 14 September 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  4. "Superleague Formula Series pulls out of Chinese rounds". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 13 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015.
  5. "Michelin extends exclusive deal". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 24 March 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  6. "Superleague Formula ook in 2011 naar Zolder". autosport.be. MDS Consult BVBA. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  7. O'Leary, Jamie (28 May 2011). "Jani gets Anderlecht drive". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 28 May 2011.
  8. Blatter, Erwin (19 June 2009). "PSV verlengt verbintenis met Superleague Formula". ED (in Dutch). Wegener NieuwsMedia. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  9. "Buurman returns for Superleague Formula action". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 26 May 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  10. "Interview Wim Coekelbergs (Azerti Team – Superleague Formula)". autosport.be. MDS Consult BVBA. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  11. "Superleague Formula announces full line-up". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 2 June 2011. Archived from the original on 27 June 2012.
  12. IJzerman, Matthé (26 May 2011). "Superleague ondergaat een gedaantewisseling" [Superleague undergoes a metamorphosis]. Autosport NL. Fast Company. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  13. Evans, Rhodri (16 November 2010). "WAG supports motorsport team's relocation". Wales Online. Media Wales Ltd. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  14. "Atech GP and Atech Reid combine forces". Motorsport.com. GMM. 3 December 2010. Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  15. "Salaquarda joins Superleague Formula for 2011". GPUpdate.net. GPUpdate. 4 February 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  16. "Chris van der Drift returns to Superleague Formula". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  17. "Doornbos gets the Japan seat in Zolder". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 14 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  18. "Михаил Алешин дебютирует в серии Superleague Formula" [Mikhail Aleshin will debut in a series of Superleague Formula]. OpenRacing.ru. OpenRacing. BW Communication. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  19. "Jani puts Belgium car top on home soil". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 15 July 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  20. "Max Wissel returns to Superleague Formula". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  21. "Superleague Formula unveils first four drivers for 2011". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014.
  22. "Pizzonia vai defender o Corinthians na Superleague Formula" [Pizzonia will defend the Corinthians in Superleague Formula]. Terra Networks. Telefónica. 26 May 2011. Retrieved 26 May 2011.
  23. Anderson, Ben (4 February 2011). "Fong returns to British F3". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 4 February 2011.
  24. "It's an Italian job for British Formula 3…". British Formula 3 Championship. Stéphane Ratel Organisation. 8 April 2011. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  25. Sepulveda, Jose Luis (13 December 2010). "Esteban Guerrieri correrá en la Indy Lights y una fecha de la IndyCar en 2011". Racing5 (in Spanish). WordPress. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  26. "Julien Jousse chez Pescarolo Team". AUTOhebdo (in French). Groupe Hommell. 9 February 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2011.
  27. Duffy, David (14 March 2011). "Walker to race new Ferrari". The Oxford Times. Newsquest. Retrieved 23 March 2011.
  28. Noble, Jonathan (6 January 2011). "Karthikeyan signs race deal with HRT". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  29. "Celso Míguez firma con Aurora Racing Team". Sport Life Press (in Spanish). SLPmedia. 28 March 2011. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  30. "Rigon and Scuderia Coloni together in the GP2 Series". GP2 Series. GP2 Motorsport Limited. 30 April 2011. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016.
  31. Mills, Peter (8 April 2011). "Mofaz signs van der Drift for FR3.5". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 8 April 2011.
  32. "Superleague Formula set for Grand Prix of Belgium". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  33. "Superleague Formula announces 2011". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  34. "Smolensk Ring put Superleague Formula race date back to 2012". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 22 June 2011.
  35. Wilkinson, Andy (20 October 2013). "Superleague Formula seeking FIA clarification on 'Nations Cup'". motorstv.com. Motors TV. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013.
  36. "Big motor racing formula for NZ in 2012". Scoop. Scoop Media. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011. High-powered international race cars from the Superleague Formula are set for New Zealand, although their debut has been delayed a year.
  37. "Salaquarda and Oakes to Test With Atech Reid GP". atechreidgp.com. Atech Reid GP. 8 December 2010. Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 8 December 2010.
  38. "Superleague Formula set for mid season test at Navarra". superleagueformula.com. Superleague Formula. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  39. Rubino, Jacopo (29 August 2011). "Cancellate le due giornate di prove a Navarra" [Delete the two days of testing in Navarra]. StopandGo.TV (in Italian). Stop&Go. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
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