James Cole flies the F2 flag for Comma

13/04/2011

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Comma Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Bewsey, revealed today that James Cole, a prominent rising young star of British motorsport, has been chosen to drive the Comma sponsored No 2 car in this year’s FIA Formula Two Championship. The highly-rated 22 year old driver from Merseyside has already been part of the MSA British Race Academy and, following in the wheel tracks of previous McLaren Autosport Award finalists such as David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti, Jenson Button, Paul Di Resta and reigning FIA F2 champion Dean Stoneman, Cole joined their prestigious ranks in 2009. He is also currently a British Racing Drivers Club Rising Star.

“James has been looming large on UK motorsport’s radar for a couple of years, and we’re all delighted that he will be our standard bearer in 2011,” said Mr Bewsey. “FIA Formula Two is the logical next step for him in his ascent through the ranks, and everyone at Comma wishes him well and will be closely watching his progress as the season develops. I’m sure he will be motivated and spurred on to emulate the successes of Jolyon Palmer who carried Comma’s colours so brilliantly last year and has now graduated to GP2.”

In 2007 at the age of 18, James began his racing career with instant success in regional Formula Ford championships. In 2009, he led from start to finish of the season to dominate and win the British National Formula Ford championship and finish third in the legendary Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch. He followed this in 2010 with a successful British Formula 3 campaign, competing in the National Class and closing out the year as runner-up.

In testing for the new F2 season, James quickly accustomed himself to the most powerful racing machine he had ever sat in. “I chose F2 because of the enjoyment of driving the car,” says James. “It’s got a lot of power and it’s good that everyone’s got the same car. The first test at Silverstone went well, we were in the top six straight away and I’d never driven the car before, so if I can regularly be in the top six we’ll see what happens from there. I’m really pleased to be working with Comma this year, we both share the same passion for performance - I think we’re going to have a great partnership.” 

Away from the intense demands of racing, James indulges his other great passion of music by playing keyboard and lead guitar in a band. “My parents keep asking when I’m going to get a real job, but music and motor racing are my hobby and my life,” he says. Could it be more than a happy coincidence that James’ motor racing hero, 1996 F1 World Champion Damon Hill, was also an accomplished rock guitarist and has made several guest appearances with celebrity bands?

In addition to sponsorship of James Cole’s car, Comma is also the official Technical Partner to the FIA Formula Two Championship. All 24 of the identical 480bhp Williams F1 designed JPH1B cars competing in the series use engine oils, coolants and maintenance products supplied by Comma.  

Visit the F2 website for total coverage of every Formula Two event, plus a wealth of background stories on the drivers and other essential features to keep you fully informed on the championship which begins at Silverstone, England, April 15^th/17^th.  There is also complete HD TV screening of every race on Motors TV. Don’t miss a minute of the action.