F3: America's Tveter satisfied with progress from rookie season

America's Ryan Tveter ended up 23rd in the final point standings in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, but more important was the wealth of experience he gained in this highly competitive series for Formula 1 hopefuls featuring drivers from 18 countries.

Tveter, 21, of Oyster Bay, N.Y., had a top finish of ninth during an extremely hard-fought season, which concluded last weekend at Hockenheim. Tveter feels his results didn't reflect how well he ran, and is confident his technical skills matched those of the chapionship leaders. Tveter also had consistently good starts, which are crucial for success since they offer a prime opportunity to advance.

Tveter's experiences in last weekend's races at Hockenheim were similar to other events this year. He started 21st in a 33-car field in the first race on a very cold Saturday with his #26 fielded by Jagonya Ayam with Carlin. He was forced off course on lap four in order to avoid a spinning Matthew Rao, but he survived and he'd moved up to 15th by lap six.

Callum Ilott passed him on lap eight to push him back to 16th, which is where he finished when the checkered dropped at the completion of lap 22.

A few hours later he took the green flag in 19th position for Race 2. He had a strong standing start and rose to 16th by the end of lap one, right before a full-course caution waved for Alexander Albon's crash, but contact with Ilott after Ilott went off course and rejoined right in front of Tveter had damaged Tveter's car's front wing.

Tveter was sandwiched between fellow American Gustavo Menezes and Pietro Fittipaldi for the restart. He had a good battle with them until positions changed and his main rivals became Arjun Maini and Dorian Boccolacci. They diced until three laps from the end, when the officials called Tveter to the pits with four minutes remaining in the race due to the damage to his car's wing.

He started 22nd in the season finale on Sunday morning, which was delayed due to fog after rain overnight. Tveter was on rain tires for the start but his race was over early after he had slight contact with Boccolacci, spun, and brought out a full-course caution on the first lap. He made it back to the pits on his own but a bent suspension rod prohibited him from continuing.

Tveter hopes to do another season of F3 next year, but before that he'll compete in the Macau Grand Prix on Nov. 19-22 in Macau, China in a Team West-Tec entry.