Team RFR

Russia Team RFR
Founded 2009
Base Nogaro, France
Team principal(s) Bruno Besson[1]
Former series Formula Renault 3.5 Series
Noted drivers Russia Mikhail Aleshin
Spain Víctor García
Russia Anton Nebylitskiy
France Nelson Panciatici
Finland Aaro Vainio

Team RFR that was previously known as KMP Racing are an auto racing Russian team who made their début in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2010. The team is based at Nogaro, France.[1]

Background

KMP Group/SG Formula

KMP Group are a Russian–based tour operator and travel agency, set up in 1989, with offices in Moscow, St Petersberg, Kiev, Paris and New York.[2]

In May 2009, they linked up with renowned French single–seater team SG Formula for an entry into the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, making their début at the third round of the season in Monaco after taking over the assets of the Belgian KTR team.[3]

Russian driver Anton Nebylitskiy was their lead driver, with Jules Bianchi, Edoardo Mortara and Guillaume Moreau sharing the second seat during the year. The teams' best race result came courtesy of Moreau, who finished third in the second event at Portimão.[4] They also finished the season 12th in the teams' championship with 19 points.[5]

KMP Racing

Nelson Panciatici driving for KMP Racing at the Silverstone circuit round of the World Series by Renault.

In December 2009, the Formula Renault 3.5 Series organising committee announced the thirteen teams pre–selected to compete in the 2010 season, with SG Formula and KMP Racing listed as two separate entities.[6]

The team acquired two cars and other assets from British team Ultimate Motorsport, who left the Formula Renault 3.5 Series before the penultimate round of the 2009 season.[7] They also entered into a sponsorship agreement with Russian–based company Norilsk Nickel and appointed former French Formula Three driver Bruno Besson as their team principal.[8] In February 2010, it was announced that KMP had secured premises in Colomiers, France.[9]

The team's drivers for the 2010 season were Russian Anton Nebylitskiy,[8] who drove for Comtec Racing and KMP Group/SG Formula during the 2009 season, and British Formula 3 graduate Víctor García.[10] Nebylitskiy took the teams' first podium finish in the opening race at Brno, finishing in third place behind Brendon Hartley and race winner Esteban Guerrieri.[11] The team finished their first year tenth in the standings with 35 points.

Anton Nebylitskiy stayed with the team for a second season in 2011.[12] He was joined by Nelson Panciatici.

Team RFR

Mikhail Aleshin driving for Team RFR at the Paul Ricard Circuit round of the World Series by Renault.

Prior 2012 season the team was re-branded as Team RFR. This abbreviation stands for Russia France Racing or Russian Force Racing. The personnel was almost completely changed.[1] 2010 Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion Mikhail Aleshin and Anton Nebylitskiy was announced as drivers for the 2012 season.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Los, Andrey (21 February 2012). "Михаил Алешин: RFR – серьезный и перспективный проект" [Mikhail Aleshin: RFR is serious and perspective project] (in Russian). F1News.ru. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  2. ↑ "About "KMP GROUP"". kmp-group.ru. KMP Group. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  3. ↑ "SG Formula graduate to 3.5". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  4. ↑ "Alguersuari all the way!". renault-sport.com. Renault Sport. 2009-08-01. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  5. ↑ "Championship Tables". crash.net. Crash Media Group. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  6. ↑ de Foronda, Blanca (2009-12-18). "Thirteen teams pre-selected for 2010 season". automobilsport.com. MaP. Retrieved 2009-12-23.
  7. ↑ "USR loses Molina, skips Nurburgring". crash.net. Crash Media Group. 2009-09-18. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  8. 1 2 Mills, Peter (2010-01-06). "KMP to run Nebylitskiy in Renault 3.5". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
  9. ↑ Mills, Peter (2010-02-12). "New FR3.5 team KMP takes shape". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  10. ↑ Mills, Peter (2010-02-23). "Garcia completes KMP line-up". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-02-23.
  11. ↑ Mills, Peter (2010-06-05). "Guerrieri takes another FR3.5 win". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
  12. ↑ Mills, Peter (2010-11-11). "Nebylitskiy to retain KMP seat". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
  13. ↑ "За новую команду RFR выступят Алешин и Небылицкий" [Aleshin and Nebylitskiy to compete for new team RFR]. F1News.ru (in Russian). Racing News Agency, Ltd. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
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