- James Walker is the man charged with retaining Liverpool’s Superleague Formula by Sonangol crown in 2010 after being confirmed as the club’s new signing for the upcoming campaign.
The 25-year-old from Jersey has spent the last three seasons competing in Formula Renault 3.5, where he finished fifth last year. During that time, Walker also made selected Superleague Formula appearances, culminating in a victory for Borussia Dortmund at Jerez in 2008.
Atech – the new name for Hitech Junior Team – will once again prepare and run Liverpool’s challenger having collected two victories and a further five podiums during the title-winning 2009 season.
Walker confirmed that securing a second championship in as many seasons for the Reds was his primary goal: “It’s going to be great. Over the winter I’ve had a strange period of not knowing what I’m doing so to find out I’ll be racing for Liverpool in Superleague Formula is fantastic. Having done two races before I’ve already got a feel of what it’s all about and the thought of doing a whole season now – and aiming for the championship – is going to be an honour and really exciting”.
“With the prize fund that’s up for grabs this year, which has been a big attraction, I’m only interested in winning after challenging for the Formula Renault 3.5 crown last year. The only realistic aim is to try to win the title and I think we’ve got a very good chance of doing just that while hopefully winning a lot of races along the way”.
Walker is also honoured to be racing for the Merseysiders: “The thought of representing a prestigious club like Liverpool, one of the biggest teams in Europe and having the link between English club and driver, has got fantastic foundations already for being successful. As a local driver, trying to get the fans behind me is going to be a lot easier so hopefully we can have as good a season as they had in 2009”.
As for his new team, it’s not the first time that Walker will work with Atech Grand Prix Team Principal David Hayle.
“James is part of the Atech family really because he raced for me for two years while in British F3 and I’ve followed his career closely ever since,” Hayle confirmed. “When this opportunity came about it made perfect sense”.
“I think it’s going to be tough for everyone this year, now that Superleague Formula is growing and more and more people want to be a part of it. I would have thought that James is certainly one of the championship favourites though.”
Liverpool start their title-defence at home on April 3/4 when Superleague Formula by Sonangol travels to Silverstone for 2010’s opening fixture.
James Walker Biography
Name: James Walker
Born: 25 August 1983 - Jersey
Nationality: British
Height: 1.82m
On-track Career
2010
Superleague Formula (Liverpool FC)
Daytona 24 Hours with J Lowe Racing
2009
World Series by Renault with P1 Motorsport
Winner at Spa and podium finishes at Monaco and Silverstone
2008
World Series by Renault with Fortec Motorsport
Best result: 2nd at Barcelona
Selected Superleague Formula races. Winner for Borussia Dortmund at Jerez
2007
World Series by Renault with Fortec Motorsport
Best results: pole position and race win at Donington Park in 2007
Awarded full membership of the BRDC in 2008
2006
British F3 International Series with Hitech Racing (Championship Class) - 14 top ten finishes and three podiums
F3 Euroseries with Hitech Racing - two top 10 finishes at Brands Hatch
F3 Euroseries with Hitech Racing Two top 10 finishes at Brands Hatch
2005
British F3 International Series with Fortec Motorsport (Championship Class) - took first F3 victory at the Nürburgring in September
Finished the season 11th in the Championship with 13 top ten finishes
2004
British F3 International Series with Hitech Racing (Championship Class) - finished the season 18th in the Championship with 5 top ten finishes
Awarded BRDC Rising Star status
2003
British Formula Ford (Scholarship Class) – championship winner
James won over half the season’s races on his way to becoming Champion
Nominated for National Racing Driver of the Year in Autosport Awards
2002/2001
UK Junior Formula Ford Championship
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