The next generation - mid-season review

How the latest crop of British F1 hopefuls are getting on in their GP2, GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5 campaigns in 2014.

Jolyon Palmer

Age: 23
Born: 20th January 1991
Current Championship - GP2
Team: DAMS
Current Position - 1st
2014 Wins - Two (Bahrain and Monaco)

Jolyon says: “I hoped to be fighting for the title at the start of the year but to do what we've done so far has been above my expectations.

"I'm really enjoying working with DAMS and feel confident in my push for the title.

“My qualifying has been my strongest point with three poles and six front-row starts out of seven. I just need to keep going for the second part of the Championship now!”

Will Stevens

Age: 23
Born: 28th June 1991
Current Championship - Formula Renault 3.5
Team: P1 by Strakka Racing
Current Position - 6th
2014 Wins - One (Monza)

Will says: "2014 for me has been about completing my preparation to challenge for a seat on the F1 grid in 2015. As part of my participation in the Caterham Academy, I've driven something like 10,000km in their simulator; helping them with the 2014 car, providing race weekend support at the factory as well as some developmental work. In addition, I completed 95 laps in the current car at the recent Silverstone test, primarily focussed on long runs, which was sufficient for me to qualify for my FIA Superlicence.

"With regard to my 2014 race programme, I'm competing in World Series by Renault with Strakka Racing. I've taken a race win at Monza and podiums at Motorland and Spa although we've been unable to find the right balance with the car throughout the season to reach our full potential. We are working to resolve those issues during the summer break and hopefully I can have a strong finish to the season. I finished fourth in the same Championship in 2013 behind Magnussen, Vandoorne and Da Costa and my aim is to better that this year. Either way, I feel ready for an F1 opportunity in 2015 and we are working on some options to enable me to achieve that."

Alex Lynn

Age: 20
Born: 17th September 1993
Current Championship - GP3
Team: Carlin
Current Position - 1st
2014 Wins - Two (Spain and Austria)

Alex says: “It’s been a great season so far, I’m leading the championship so I can’t really complain. There hasn’t really been one stand-out moment so far but overall I think we’ve done a great job and we intend to carry on the same momentum throughout the rest of the season. 

“There’s always some extra performance you want to find, however it’s a case of ticking off the weekends and getting those consistent points finishes. I think the championship is very competitive and it’s been a solid year, it’s also a great stepping stone in a driver's career. 

“We have four weekends left, there isn’t one in particular I’m looking forward more so than the others we just aim to still be at the top come the end of the season.”

Dino Zamparelli

Age: 21
Born: 5th October 1992
Current Championship - GP3
Team: ART Grand Prix
Current Position - 7th
2014 Best Result - Second (Germany and Hungary)

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