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| January 11, 2007 News |
| EFCN Top-10: Formula BMW USA |
 | Formula BMW USA race winner Reed Stevens
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
1. Reed Stevens
HBR Motorsport Team USA
4 wins, 8 podiums, 9 top-five
6th in 2005 FCM Formula BMW USA Top-10
While Reed Stevens in the end came up just short of his desired goal of winning the championship title, he put on a superb driving performance in 2006. Stevens got off to a good start with a win in the opening event, but it was his second half performance were the outgoing driver from California made his mark. In the final six races, he won half of the races and never finished off the podium, propelling himself into the title chase. He obviously has the speed to win, so let’s hope he gets a chance to move up the racing ladder.
 | Formula BMW USA race winner Stefano Coletti
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
2. Stefano Coletti
EuroInternational
3 wins, 4 podiums, 2 pole positions
Despite only competing in the four races run conjunction with Formula One, Stefano Coletti left his mark on the championship in 2006. The Monaco native was immediately the class of the field sweeping the pole positions and wins in Montreal, before winning once and finishing second in the two races in Indianapolis. Returning to Europe, fans of open-wheel racing would be well advised to keep an eye on the charismatic youngster, as he looks destined to quickly move up the racing ranks.
 | Formula BMW USA champion Robert Wickens
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
3. Robert Wickens
Team Apex Racing USA & EuroInternational
3 wins, 6 podiums, 2 pole positions
3rd in 2005 FCM Formula BMW USA Top-10
The top returning driver from last year, Robert Wickens did exactly what was expected him, win the Championship. Driving for two different teams over the course of the season, the talented Canadian was always in contention for the win and rarely put a wheel wrong. Next up for Wickens is a season in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship with one of the top teams as a Red Bull backed driver.
 | Formula BMW USA race winner Matt Lee
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
4. Matt Lee
Team Autotecnica
2 wins, 7 podiums, 5 pole positions
Matt Lee perhaps was the fastest driver in the championship this past year, scoring a season-high five pole positions and setting the fastest lap on more than one occasion. Unfortunately a slow start in the season-opening doubleheader and one off weekend ruined his chances at the series title. The very quiet driver will make the move up the racing ladder to the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in 2007, where he will battle several of his fellow Formula BMW USA graduates.
 | Formula BMW USA race winner Simona de Silvestro
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
5. Simona de Silvestro
EuroInternational
1 win, 6 podiums, 10 top-five
Simona de Silvestro may have entered her first season of North American racing as a relative unknown, but by the end of the year she had everyone’s attention. Her aggressive driving style and great car control made her not only a fan favorite, but a title contender. Like several of the drivers on the top-10 list, she will be racing in the Champ Car Atlantic Championship in 2007.
 | Formula BMW USA race winner Daniel Morad
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
6. Daniel Morad
AIM Autosport
1 win, 2 podiums, 5 top-five
Making the move up to cars after a successful karting career, Daniel Morad enjoyed a very good season in 2006. Steadily getting quicker and more confident each time he got behind the wheel, the Canadian not only scored a win, but captured the Rookie of the Year award. Following an impressive outing at the World Final, the Canadian will enter the 2007 season as the early favorite to win the title.
 | Formula BMW USA podium finisher John Zartarian
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
7. John Zartarian
Gelles Racing
2 podiums, 4 top-five, 10 top-10
John Zartarian proved to be one of the welcome surprises in 2006. Showing good speed and consistency, the tall likeable driver emerged from a large team as its best driver. If he returns to the series in 2007 and continues to develop as a driver, many expect he’ll make his first visit to victory lane and challenge for the title.
 | Formula BMW USA podium finisher David Garza
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
8. David Garza
EuroInternational
2 podiums, 3 top-five, 2 pole positions
After capturing the pole position for the opening two races in Ohio, many expected David Garza to run at the front the entire season. While he flashed the skills to do so on occasion, the young Mexican driver never showed the consistency. Making the move up to the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Garza will need to improve on this to succeed.
 | Formula BMW USA podium finisher Adrien Herberts
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
9. Adrien Herberts
Gelles Racing
2 podiums, 2 top-five, 5 top-10
Returning for a second season of competition, Adrien Herberts continued to improve as a driver. Showing the speed to run near or at the front on occasion, the youngster needs to keep developing and become a more consistent front-runner.
 | Formula BMW USA podium finisher Ryan Phinny
(Photo: Formula BMW USA) |
10. Ryan Phinny
Hearn Motorsports
1 podium, 2 top-five, 7 top-10
For Ryan Phinny, 2006 was likely a year of disappointment. While he displayed very good speed, earning several good results, he often qualified poorly, preventing him from making any real impact during the races.
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