Esteban Gutierrez

Estoril, Portugal – Driver Esteban Manuel Gutierrez Gutierrez, from Monterrey, Mexico, and current champion of the 2008 Formula BMW Europe is already in the Portuguese city where the first official Formula 3 Euroseries training session will take place. A total of 11 teams and 32 talented drivers from different countries will gather on March 18 and 19 to begin the 2009 pre-season.

Esteban had the opportunity of meeting with his team and teammates last week at the facilities of the French ART Grand Prix team, which are located in the city of Villeneuve La Guyard, approximately one hour South of Paris. In his first meeting, Esteban was very happy by the warm welcome he received form his team and teammates Jules Bianchi (France), Adrien Tambay (France), and Valtteri Botas (Finland). Esteban, Adrien and Valtteri will be the rookie drivers for the talented French team, which hopes to conquer the 2009 championship for the sixth consecutive time.

After a very productive day meeting with the team and reviewing the work plan for the whole season, during which the Mexican driver had the opportunity of learning about different technical and mechanical aspects of the car, Esteban traveled to Italy to meet with his physical trainer, Mr. Gianlorenzo Santoro, who will be in charge of Esteban’s physical preparation, personal diet and mental instruction during the 2009 season. For a week Esteban stayed in the city of Cuneo, Italy, where his trainer did a complete check-up on him, to record a few parameters that will be compared in the future and thus begin the training program that includes strengthening of muscles and aerobic training combined with running and swimming, which are also very important. Initially for a month Esteban will be training 3 days per week, and after that his training schedule will cover four days per week.

Gutierrez has understood well the importance of having a good physical preparation, because each day he requires a better condition to be able to race cars with more power and more aerodynamic grip under very high temperatures and very difficult conditions. All this preparation helps the Mexican driver feel better at each race and at the same time to do a better job.

Today Gutierrez attended the Estoril Circuit to walk around the track along with his engineer Mr. Pierre Alain Michot, so they could analyze the whole circuit in detail to prepare for the first day of training.

"I feel very enthusiastic about being here and ready to begin the new season. It has been more than three months since I got into a race car and finally the waiting period is over. Last week I had the chance of meeting with my team for a day and we were able to see all the necessary modifications in the car to embark this new season which will be very competitive. We made the seat and we also had a meeting with all the team members and the other drivers, in which the work plan was presented and after which I felt very comfortable with everyone´s reaction. I also had the opportunity of meeting with my physical trainer in Italy, to continue with my physical preparation for this season. We are working very hard in all physical, mental, and nutritional aspects with the object of being in 100% fit to face this new challenge, which won’t be easy," Esteban commented.

"Regarding this race track, where I’ve never driven before, I think it’s a very technical circuit, with very demanding corners. I have faith that we will learn a lot in this first training session and as always, I will give my best to keep reaping successes and continue representing my country, Mexico, in the best possible way," Esteban Gutierrez added.

Official Calendar - Formula 3 Euroseries 2009:

March 18-19 – Official Training Session - Estoril, Portugal
March 23-24 – Official Training Session - Valencia, Spain
April 22-23 – Official Training Session - Nogaro, France
May 15-17 – Races 1 & 2 - Hockenheim, Germany
May 29-31 - Races 3 & 4 - Lausitz, Germany
June 26-28 - Races 5 & 6 - Norisring, Germany
July 17-19 - Races 7 & 8 - Zandvoort, Netherlands
July 31-August 2 - Races 9 & 10 - Oschersleben, Germany
August 14-16 - Races 11 & 12 - Nurburg, Germany
September 4-6 - Races 13 & 14 - Brands Hatch, UK
September 18-20 - Races 15 & 16 - Barcelona, Spain
October 9-11 - Races 17 & 18 - Dijon, France
October 23-25 - Races 19 & 20 - Hockenheim, Germany

Technical Data of the Estoril Circuit:

Track length: 4.183 km (2.599 miles)
Track width: 10m to 18m
Corners: 13 (4 left, 9 right)
Longest straight: 985.686m (0.613 miles)

For more information about Esteban Gutierrez, the ART Grand Prix team, and the Formula 3 Euroseries, visit their official websites: www.estebangtz.com, www.art-grandprix.com, and www.f3euroseries.com.