Historic F1 gears up for title deciders

The contest for the FIA Historic Formula One Championship is set to go down to the wire in an Iberian double-header, as races at Estoril in Portugal and Jarama in Spain run on back-to-back weekends in October.

Following round seven at the Nürburgring in September, a field of around 25 cars will travel to Portugal, with the title race headed by Italian Mauro Pane in his Tyrrell six-wheeler and Briton Peter Sowerby in his Williams FW07C.

Neither driver has previously won the HFO crown, and Pane currently has the advantage after largely dominating class B this season. But the expected return to racing of Bobby Verdon-Roe and his McLaren M23 could give Pane a big problem if he bags maximum class points. Portugal-based Verdon-Roe has been absent since a hefty shunt at Monaco in May, but his McLaren should be rebuilt in time for his local races.

Ranged against Sowerby, winner of four of the first six races, is former Jarama winner Joaquin Folch in his Williams FW08.

Outside contenders include reigning champion Steve Hartley in his Arrows A6 and Abba Kogan in his Matra MS120. However, Hartley has suffered due to a lack of starters in his class and consequently reduced scores.

“This will be the fourth or fifth year that the title contest has gone down to the final round,” said series co-ordinator Oli McCrudden.

The Estoril event has moved to October 19 in order to share the date with the new Superleague Formula, while the October 26 Jarama date includes the final two races for the Orwell Supersports Cup.