Steel Guiliana has been awarded the inaugural Forpark Australia Formula 3 Scholarship following the final round of the 2011 Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship at Symmons Plains.
The winner of the scholarship, which carries $50,000 worth of funding to go towards a Gold Star Class drive in the 2012 F3 ADC, was decided by a judging panel using criteria such as attitude, physical preparation, media skills and technical feedback in addition to race results.
Driving for R-Tek Motorsport, the 20-year-old electrician from the New South Wales South Coast won the National Class this season.
Guiliana’s season included nine class race victories and two outright third-place finishes. With just six drivers contesting the full season, Guiliana also finished fourth outright in the F3 ADC.
“I am proud to have been selected to receive the award and I can’t wait to challenge for a Gold Star next season to follow up my National Class title this year,” said Guiliana, who previously raced in Formula BMW Asia.
“$50,000 will go a long way to funding our season next year and make things a lot easier as we step up.
“Ben (Gersekowski) and Josh (Burdon) have been fantastic competitors and we have pushed each other hard all season. Before the award was presented I was sure that all three of us had an equal chance to win – so it was a great feeling when my name was read out and I have to congratulate those guys for their season.
“I have to thank the R-Tek team for all their efforts throughout the season and for working with me this season. I have learned so much and progressed as a driver and as a person and I am really looking forward to pursuing my goal of Formula 1 by racing for the Gold Star in Formula 3 next year.”
The 2012 Formula 3 Australian Drivers’ Championship will kick off at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide across the March 1-4 weekend.