Australia’s Ryan Briscoe has enjoyed a highly successful debut season in open-wheelers.
The former North American and Italian Go-kart champion was the first hopeful to be signed to Toyota’s driver development program which is part of its Formula One strategy.

Toyota will make its Formula One debut at the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne on March 3, 2002 after announcing its move into the blue-riband class in March, 1999.

Its drivers will be Mika Salo and Allan McNish.

There is no suggestion from Toyota that Briscoe will enter its F1 program. Briscoe’s hectic 19-race schedule this year included the 10-round Italian Formula Monomarque Championship, selected rounds of the Formula Monomarque Eurocup, as well as one off Formula 3 races in Germany, Holland and France.

His primary focus was the Italian Championship, which he dominated with five wins and six pole positions.

Twenty-year-old Briscoe claimed three victories and two second placings in the final five rounds of the title chase.

He finished fourth in the Eurocup championship despite competing in just six of the ten races.

At a one-off round of the French Formula 3 Championship in October, Briscoe finished second.

“The main goal was to win the Italian championship, and to do well in the others events was a real bonus,” said Briscoe.

His success in the Italian championship and white-hot form earned praise from Toyota Motorsport GmbH boss Ove Andersson, and a drive of the Toyota Formula One car in early November.

Briscoe completed 80 laps in both dry and wet conditions, and was very happy with his first drive of the 340km/h machine.

“It went very well - it was just fantastic to drive the Toyota F1 car,” Briscoe said. “The first time you open it up and get on the brakes is pretty amazing, but you settle into it after a while.”

The level of technology and adjustability fascinated rather than intimidated the Sydneysider.

“There are so many different parameters you can adjust, such as the power curve, the gearbox and other many things,” he said.

“If you don’t like something, you can change it.”



BRISCOE LOOKS TOWARDS 2002

Rising Toyota development driver Ryan Briscoe is looking to build on his strong performances in 2001 but is still waiting for his 2002 schedule to be confirmed.
“It looks like I’ll be racing Formula 3 in Germany, but I won’t know for sure for a few weeks,” said 20-year-old Briscoe.

“Formula 3 was always the plan, but that could change,” he added. “Formula 3000 could certainly be an option.”

The 2001 Italian Formula Monomarque Champion recently drove Toyota’s Formula One car at Paul Ricard, France in recognition of his winning ways in his debut open-wheeler season.

Briscoe has impressed with his success in both the Italian and Eurocup championships, in addition to several commendable outings in Formula 3.

“This year has been a learning curve, and my results got stronger and more consistent as the season wore on,” said the former go-kart champion.

He said that his first year in car racing has set him on the right path to his ultimate goal - a Formula One drive.

“The most important things I’ve learned have been to develop an understanding with my team, getting a feel for the car, understanding the importance of set-up and qualifying at the front.”

Fluent in Italian, Briscoe lives in the coastal town Viareggio, Italy where he trains with Toyota Motorsport’s physical consultant, Doctor Ricardo Ceccarelli.

“We do a lot of work in the gym, working on upper-body strength and certain muscle groups, and we balance that with outdoor sports like cycling, swimming and tennis,” Briscoe explained.

Diet and nutrition also play a key role in his success.

“Doctor Ceccarelli has given me a diet specifically aimed at maximising my performance on race day,” he said.

“It’s high in carbohydrates and low in fat, and it’s important that I race on an empty stomach. That means I have a bowl of pasta three hours before each race.

“I’ve really noticed the difference with my fitness, which is becoming a very important factor in motor racing.”



RYAN BRISCOE - SEASON 2001

2001 Italian Formula Monomarque Championship

April 22: Round one, Vallelunga - qualified third, finished fourth

May 6: Round two, Pergusa - qualified 11th, DNF (crash)

May 20: Round three, Magione - qualified second, finished first

June 24: Round four, Monza - qualified on pole, finished seventh

July 7: Round five, Misano - qualified on pole, finished first

July 22: Round six, Varano - qualified on pole, finished second

August 26: Round seven, Imola - qualified on pole, finished first

September 9: Round eight, Mugello - qualified on pole, finished first

September 23: Round nine, Binetto - qualified on pole, finished first

November 4: Round ten, Estoril - qualified third, finished second

Final points: Ryan Briscoe 226, Cesar Campanico 172, Fabio Carbone 154, Mirko

Venturi 140, Davide di Benedetto 81.


Formula Monomarque Eurocup

April 1: Round one, Monza, Italy - qualified second, DNF (crash)

April 15: Round two, Brno, Czech Republic - qualified third, finished 20th

April 29: Round three, Magny Cours, France - qualified 15th, finished third

July 1: Round seven, Hungaroring, Hungary - qualified third, finished fourth

September 30: Round nine, Jarama, Spain - qualified second, finished first

November 4: Round ten, Estoril, Portugal - qualified on pole, finished first

Final Points: Augusto Farfus 159, Marc Benz 130, Cesar Campanico 122, Ryan Briscoe 102.


Formula 3 Masters

August 5, Zandvoort - qualified 31st, DNF (damage to car by debris from an accident)

German Formula 3

August 12: Round seven, Lausitzring - qualified 10th, DNF (crash) race one, 15th race two

French Formula 3
October 14: Round six, Magny Cours - qualified fifth, finished second