Brazilian drivers in Formula 3, 1992

Gil de Ferran pictured

1992 was a very active year for Brazilian drivers in international F-3. Gil de Ferran won the English championship netting 7 wins, 5 second places and 2 third places, driving the Honda powered Reynard from the Paul Stewart stables. His teammate was Brazilian Andre Ribeiro, who only scored points four times, with the best result a fourth place in the penultimate round in Truxthon. Oswaldo Negri drove for West Surrey's Reynard Honda, and his best result was a second place. He scored points on several occasions. The fourth Brazilian driver in British F-3 that year ended up being the only one to ever get the F-1, Pedro Paulo Diniz, who drove for Edenbridge in a Reynard Honda. The Sao Paulo born driver had 2 third places, earned earlier this year. He did not finish many races and one cannot say he impressed many people.

The most interesting fact of the season was the large number of Brazilians to participate in the Italian Championship. The prior year, Marcello Ventre had driven in Italian F-3, but the number tripled in 1992. Besides Ventre, Niko Palhares and Tom Stefani were also in Italian F-3, which by then had earned enough international stature, with good drivers. Among the participants that year there were Giancarlo Fisichella, Max Papis, Vincenzo Sospiri, Mimmo Schiatarella and Max Angelelli, all drivers of success in the future.

Palhares had the best performance among Brazilians, with two wins and two second places, driving a Dallara Honda. Ventre already drove a Dallara, with Alfa Romeo engine, and won the race in Mugello, also getting two second places. Stefani, from Goias state, did not have much luck, and his best position was seventh in Vallelunga.

Palhares and Ventre also participated in Monaco race, and retired.

In the Marlboro Masters, De Ferran came in 3rd, Negri was 6th, Palhares 14th and Diniz, 20th.

In Macau GP, De Ferran was the best placed, coming in 6th, while Barrichello ran in the category once again, coming in seventh, driving a Ralt Opel. Negri retired.

At the Fuji race, Palhares came in 4th, Maurizio Sandro Sala drove a Bowman Honda to 16th, Negri came in 17th. De Ferran retired.

In all, ten international F-3 wins. A good season.

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