Published January 29, 2013
New Status GP driver, Jimmy Eriksson, has been honoured as Driver of the Year by the Swedish Motorsports Federation at their annual gala in Stockholm this weekend.
Eriksson received the honour of Driver of the Year after becoming the first ever Swedish driver to claim the German Formula 3 Championship. The 21 year old was also recognised with the International Accomplishment award after his successful 2012 campaign.
“I’m honoured to have been recognised by the Swedish motorsport federation, and to receive these respected awards,” said Jimmy Eriksson. “I had no idea that I was being considered for Driver of the Year, but it came as a very pleasant surprise! We worked so hard to achieve what we did in the ATS Formula 3 Cup last year, and I’m glad to see that the federation appreciate our efforts. I will never forget 2012, and this evening marked a perfect way to bring that chapter of my career to an end. I am very grateful.”
Eriksson was presented with the accolade by the Swedish Motorsport Federation President Kåge Schildt and in front of more than 350 invited guests.
The federation statement said, “In a highly convincing manner and with an outstanding result, he [Eriksson] capped the season off with a set of double pole positions that made him the first Swedish driver ever to win the coveted German Formula 3 championship title.”
Eriksson will get his first taste of the new GP3/13 car at the pre-season test in Estoril (Portugal) on February 20-22. With the season opener taking place in Barcelona (Spain) on May 11-12.