1990 British Formula Three Championship

Last updated
1990 champion, Mika Hakkinen Mika Hakkinen Champions for Charity 2016-07-27.jpg
1990 champion, Mika Hakkinen

The 1990 British Formula Three season was the 40th season of the British Formula Three Championship, starting on 1 April at Donington Park and ending on 7 October at Silverstone following 17 races.

Contents

The season was notable for its domination by future Formula One champion Mika Häkkinen and fellow Finn and future F1 driver Mika Salo; both drove Mugen-Honda-powered Ralt chassis, prepared by West Surrey Racing and Alan Docking Racing respectively. Häkkinen started the year strongly with three wins from the first four races, but Salo responded with four victories in the next six events to establish an 11-point advantage over his rival. The 11th round of the series at Snetterton proved a turning point, however, as Salo spun out while leading, allowing Häkkinen to begin a sequence of six wins from the final seven rounds which would allow him to seal the title with two rounds to spare.

Häkkinen's reward would be a deal to race with the Lotus F1 team in 1991, although Salo's career momentum was ruined by a drunk-driving charge that forced him to move to Japan to further his career. [1] Other drivers in the field that went on to enjoy success in international motorsport included Christian Fittipaldi, who went on to win the International Formula 3000 championship the following year before enjoying stints in F1 and CART, and future touring car and sportscar driver Peter Kox.

1990 also marked the start of a dominant period for Mugen-Honda engines, which would power each British F3 champion until 2005 with only one exception. Charles Rickett won the Class B title in a year-old Volkswagen-powered Ralt.

The scoring system was 9-6-4-3-2-1 points awarded to the first six finishers, with 1 (one) extra point added to the driver who set the fastest lap of the race.

Drivers and Teams

TeamChassisEngineNo.DriverRounds
Class A
Bowman Racing Ralt RT33 Volkswagen-Spiess1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Robertson All
4 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Philippe Adams All
12 Flag of Mexico.svg Fernando Plata1–7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen Hepworth10–17
14 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Kox 1–10, 12–17
West Surrey Racing Ralt RT34 Mugen-Honda 2 Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen All
3 Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi All
16 Flag of Japan.svg Minoru Tanaka All
Paul Stewart Racing Reynard 903 Mugen-Honda 5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Stewart 1–3
Ralt RT344–17
Reynard 9036 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins 1–4
Ralt RT345–17
Alan Docking Racing Ralt RT34 Mugen-Honda 7 Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo All
8 Flag of Japan.svg Hideki Noda All
Swallow Racing Reynard 903 Mugen-Honda 10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian Westwood1–4
Ralt RT345–17
Reynard 90311 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan McGall1–3
Ralt RT344–17
Formula Services Reynard 903 Alfa Romeo 18 Flag of Brazil.svg Jose Cordova1–4
Flag of Mexico.svg Adrián Fernández 5
Hubbard Racing Reynard 903 Opel 20 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Hilton Cowie 5–9, 13–15, 17
Ralt RT33943
21 Flag of Brazil.svg Niko Palhares 3–4
Ralt RT345–9
Racefax Motorsport Ralt RT32 Mazda 23 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu 1–2, 4
Dawson Auto Developments Reynard 903 Alfa Romeo 25 Flag of Portugal.svg António Simões2–3, 5, 10–11, 13, 17
Tech-Speed Motorsport Reynard 903 Volkswagen-Spiess27 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gary Ayles 1–4, 6–9
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott Stringfellow13
28 Flag of Spain.svg Jordi Gené All
Hepworth Racing Reynard 903 Volkswagen-Spiess30 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen Hepworth1–6
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Elliott9–10
Flag of Denmark.svg Henrik Larsen11–14
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ross Hockenhull 16
Superpower Engineering Reynard 903 Volkswagen-Spiess33 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Warwick 1
Ralt RT34 Mugen-Honda 2–9
Flag of Ireland.svg Bernard Dolan10
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gary Ayles 11–17
Team Itchi-Ban Reynard 903 Mugen-Honda 37 Flag of Sweden.svg Nic Jönsson 15–16
38 Flag of Sweden.svg Mikael Gustavsson15
39 Flag of Sweden.svg Linus Lundberg15
G-Son Racing Reynard 903 Volkswagen-Spiess40 Flag of Sweden.svg Fredrik Ekblom 1
Diamond Racing Reynard 903 Volkswagen-Spiess44 Flag of Mexico.svg César Tiberio Jiménez 4
Reynard R&D Reynard 903B Mugen-Honda 50 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason Elliott11, 13, 15–17
Class B
Peter Lea Racing Reynard 873 Alfa Romeo 51 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eddie Kimbell1–13
Flag of the United States.svg Sandy Brody 14–17
Reynard 88356 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Tulloch1–10, 13–17
Stronghold Racing Ralt RT32 Toyota 52 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Bradley1–4, 6, 8–11, 14
Ralt RT33 Volkswagen-Spiess15, 17
Steve Deeks Reynard 883 Alfa Romeo 53 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Deeks5–8, 10, 17
Bowman Racing Ralt RT33 Volkswagen-Spiess54 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett 1–13
Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Darren Shaw14, 16
Flag of the United States.svg Dana Brewer15, 17
Tollbar Racing Ralt RT32 Volkswagen-Spiess55 Flag of Spain.svg Juan SerdaAll
Davies Racing Ralt RT31 Volkswagen-Spiess57 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Davies1, 4–6, 10, 17
Tech-Speed Motorsport Reynard 873 Volkswagen-Spiess58 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Smith 10
G-Son Racing Reynard 883 Volkswagen-Spiess60 Flag of Sweden.svg Monica Stråth1
Racefax Motorsport Ralt RT32 Volkswagen-Spiess61 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Chappell 1–3
Ralt RT334–17
Hubbard Racing Reynard 893 Volkswagen-Spiess64 Flag of Finland.svg Pekka Herva14–15, 17
Ralt RT33 Opel 91 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Flurin Zegg4
Zeus Motorsport Reynard 883 Volkswagen-Spiess66 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Sneller1–2, 4–8, 10–12, 15–17
Petroglobe International Reynard 893 Alfa Romeo 67 Flag of the United States.svg Dana Brewer13
Diamond Racing Reynard 893 Toyota 70 Flag of Mexico.svg César Tiberio Jiménez 3
Cram Motorsport Ralt RT33 Toyota 71 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob MearsAll
JWD Motorsport Ralt RT31 Toyota 83 Flag of the United States.svg Jack Dickenson4, 9
Carlton Tingling Reynard 883 Volkswagen-Spiess85 Flag of Jamaica.svg Carlton Tingling15

Race calendar and results

RoundCircuitDatePole PositionFastest LapWinning DriverWinning TeamClass B Winner
1 Donington Park 1 April Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Chappell
2 Silverstone 8 April Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
3 Thruxton 16 April Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
4 Brands Hatch 29 April Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
5 Silverstone 7 May Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of Spain.svg Juan Serda
6 Brands Hatch 20 May Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Chappell
7 Thruxton 28 May Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
8 Silverstone 10 June Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Robertson Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Bowman Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
9 Donington Park 1 July Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
10 Silverstone 14 July Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
11 Snetterton 5 August Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen
Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo 1
Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
12 Oulton Park 12 August Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
13 Silverstone 27 August Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett
14 Brands Hatch 2 September Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Darren Shaw
15 Donington Park 16 September Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Chappell
16 Thruxton 23 September Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Stewart Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Docking Racing Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Darren Shaw
17 Silverstone 7 October Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Robertson Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen Flag of the United Kingdom.svg West Surrey Racing Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter Sneller

^1 Häkkinen and Salo set identical fastest lap times and were subsequently both awarded an additional point.

Championship Standings

Points in brackets include dropped scoresonly the best 14 of 17 scores count towards the championship

Pos.Driver DON SIL THR BRH SIL BRH THR SIL DON SIL SNE OUL SIL BRH DON THR SIL Pts
Class A
1 Flag of Finland.svg Mika Häkkinen 1(3)11222Ret(6)21111121121
2 Flag of Finland.svg Mika Salo 2124111251(7)22Ret31Ret98
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve Robertson 32RetRet33Ret1Ret32Ret43Ret9349
4 Flag of Brazil.svg Christian Fittipaldi 414567648163RetDSQ5Ret4236
5 Flag of the Netherlands.svg Peter Kox Ret4325Ret652RetRetRetRetRet6428
6 Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Philippe Adams 11Ret610420Ret99445622Ret1125
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Stewart 623Ret119Ret1344Ret5436Ret31321
8 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jonathan McGallRet5Ret1210115371017377RetRet613
9 Flag of Ireland.svg Derek Higgins Ret7Ret5849223RetRetRetRet4RetRet712
10 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Warwick 17Ret43Ret5761010
11 Flag of Japan.svg Minoru Tanaka 58Ret813Ret3RetRet5RetRet1012Ret5810
12 Flag of Japan.svg Hideki Noda 76RetDNS691116RetRetRet6511410Ret8
13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jason ElliottRet8DNS205854
14 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Julian WestwoodRet128914710787Ret78967101
15 Flag of Spain.svg Jordi Gené 101091312RetDSQ10Ret11689107Ret91
16 Flag of Mexico.svg Fernando Plata8977118120
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Gary Ayles 20Ret1114Ret814RetRetRetRet8819120
18 Flag of Denmark.svg Henrik Larsen8Ret11130
19 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stephen Hepworth131615Ret1512Ret99Ret141520Ret0
20 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Alain Menu 9RetDNS0
21 Flag of Ireland.svg Bernard Dolan90
22 Flag of Brazil.svg Niko Palhares RetRetRet10NC11Ret0
23 Flag of Brazil.svg Jose CordovaDNS1110DNS0
24 Flag of Portugal.svg António Simões13RetRet1210RetRet0
25 Flag of South Africa.svg Hilton Cowie12RetRetDSQ121112RetRetRet0
26 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Ross Hockenhull110
27 Flag of Sweden.svg Nic Jönsson Ret130
28 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Scott Stringfellow150
Flag of Sweden.svg Fredrik Ekblom Ret0
Flag of Mexico.svg Adrián Fernández Ret0
Flag of Sweden.svg Linus LundbergRet0
Flag of Mexico.svg César T. Jiménez DNS0
Flag of Sweden.svg Mikael GustavssonDNS0
Class B
1 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Charles Rickett Ret151315Ret2114131213111013101
2 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Dominic Chappell 1219DNSRetRet131515Ret15Ret111416914Ret72
3 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Eddie KimbellRet1814161716171915Ret12DNS1643
4 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Rob Mears18Ret16RetRet14Ret18131614RetRet171015DSQ42
5 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Peter SnellerRet17DNSRet1516Ret141512DSQ161439
6 Flag of Spain.svg Juan Serda1620201716181821162016131820DSQ181833
7 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve BradleyDSQ2118Ret172014191319121623
8 Flag of Hong Kong 1959.svg Darren Shaw151220
9 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Alan Tulloch15221918181919RetRet21172111RetRet20
10 Flag of the United States.svg Sandy Brody RetRet17158
11 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Steve DeeksRetDNSDNS1718178
12 Flag of Sweden.svg Monica Stråth146
13 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Tony Davies1919192222DNS6
14 Flag of Finland.svg Pekka Herva18RetRet4
15 Flag of Mexico.svg César T. Jiménez 173
16 Flag of the United States.svg Dana Brewer1914193
17 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Paul Smith172
18 Flag of Jamaica.svg Carlton Tingling132
19 Flag of the United States.svg Jack DickensonDNS171
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Flurin ZeggDNS0

References

  1. "Formula 1 News, Live Grand Prix Updates, Videos, Drivers and Results - ESPN".