Omar Leal
Encyclopedia
Ómar Julián Leal Covelli, commonly known as Julián Leal, (born May 11, 1990 in Bucaramanga
) is a professional racing driver
from Colombia
, although he has also competed with an Italian
licence in the GP2 Series
.
series, scoring two podium finishes in seven races to finish ninth in the standings. He also took part in two races of the series the following year.
, Leal moved to Europe
to compete in the Euroseries 3000
championship. Driving for the Italian
Durango
team, he finished ninth in the Euroseries standings and eleventh in the Italian Formula 3000
championship, which ran as part of the main series.
He continued in the championship in 2008
, finishing sixth in the Euroseries after securing four podium places in fifteen races. In September of that year, he won the Italian Formula 3000 championship at Misano
, beating both Fabio Onidi
and Nicolas Prost
to the title by a single point.
and Valencia
, driving for both Draco Racing
and Prema Powerteam
. In December 2008, it was announced that Leal had signed with Prema Powerteam for the 2009 season. He had a testing first season in the category, with a podium at the Hungaroring
being his only points–scoring finish, as he wound up 20th in the standings.
In the off–season, Leal tested for both Prema and Mofaz Racing
at the Circuit de Catalunya
and in December 2009, it was announced that he would drive for Draco Racing in the 2010 season, partnering Formula Renault
graduate Nathanaël Berthon
. He again finished the season in 20th position after struggling to match his rookie
team–mate, with his best race result being a fourth place at the first race in Brno
.
championship, competing for the Italian team Trident Racing
. He finished seventh in the final standings, with the highlight of his season coming at the penultimate round at the brand–new Circuito de Navarra
, where he won the first race after starting from pole position
.
car for the first time, taking part in the post–season test at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
, and in January 2011 it was announced that he had signed with the Rapax Team to contest the GP2 Asia Series season
, lining–up alongside Fabio Leimer
. He had initially signed to contest only the Asia series
, but in March 2011 it was confirmed that he would stay with the team for the main 2011 championship
, in which he finished 27th.
Bucaramanga
Bucaramanga is a Colombian city, and capital city of the department of Santander, Colombia. Bucaramanga has the fifth largest city economy and sixth largest population in Colombia, with 1,212,656 people in its metropolitan area...
) is a professional racing driver
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
from Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, although he has also competed with an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
licence in the GP2 Series
GP2 Series
The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1...
.
Formula Renault 2.0
Leal began his racing career in 2006 in the Formula Renault 2.0 PanamGPFormula Renault 2000 de America
The Formula Renault 2000 de America or Formula Renault 2.0 Panam GP Series was a Formula Renault 2.0 championship held on Latin America. This series was created in 2005 and replacing the Mexican Formula Renault Championship played in...
series, scoring two podium finishes in seven races to finish ninth in the standings. He also took part in two races of the series the following year.
Euroseries 3000
The following season2007 Euroseries 3000 season
The 2007 Euroseries 3000 season was the ninth Euro Formula 3000 season. Both series were won by Italian Davide Rigon who would go on to win the 2008 Superleague Formula season and compete in GP2.-Teams and drivers:-Race calendar:...
, Leal moved to Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to compete in the Euroseries 3000
Euro Formula 3000
Auto GP, formerly known as both Euro Formula 3000 and Euroseries 3000, is a European formula racing series.The series' roots can be traced back to 1999, and the Italian Formula 3000 series, organised by Pierluigi Corbari, which used old Lola chassis with Zytek engines. The teams used the Lola...
championship. Driving for the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Durango
Durango (racing team)
Durango Automotive SRL is an auto racing team founded in 1980 by Ivone Pinton and Enrico Magro and based in Italy, which currently races in the Auto GP series with Carlos Iaconelli...
team, he finished ninth in the Euroseries standings and eleventh in the Italian Formula 3000
Formula 3000
The Formula 3000 International Championship was a motor racing series created by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in 1985 to become the final preparatory step for drivers hoping to enter the Formula One championship...
championship, which ran as part of the main series.
He continued in the championship in 2008
2008 Euroseries 3000 season
The 2008 Euroseries 3000 season was the tenth Euro Formula 3000 season. The main series was won by Frenchman Nicolas Prost.-Teams and drivers:-Race calendar:* Races valid also towards the F3000 Italian Championship.-Championship Standings:...
, finishing sixth in the Euroseries after securing four podium places in fifteen races. In September of that year, he won the Italian Formula 3000 championship at Misano
Misano World Circuit
The Misano World Circuit and before 2006 called Circuito Internazionale Santamonica, is an Italian racetrack located next to the town of Misano Adriatico in the frazione of Santamonica. Originally designed in 1969 as a length of , it hosted its first event in 1972...
, beating both Fabio Onidi
Fabio Onidi
Fabio Onidi is a professional racing driver from Italy.-Karting:Prior to starting his racing career, Onidi raced in karting for a number of years, finishing sixth in the European Championship ICA Junior category and winning the Italian Championship ICA Junior title in 2003.-Formula BMW:Onidi began...
and Nicolas Prost
Nicolas Prost
Nicolas Jean Prost is a French-Armenian racing driver currently racing for A1 Team France in the A1 Grand Prix series, and for ELK Motorsport in the Euroseries 3000, which he won in 2008.-Career:...
to the title by a single point.
Formula Renault 3.5 Series
At the end of 2008, Leal took part in Formula Renault 3.5 Series testing at Paul RicardCircuit Paul Ricard
The Paul Ricard Circuit is a motorsport race track built at Le Castellet, near Marseille, France, in 1969 with finance from the eccentric drinks magnate Paul Ricard, who created what essentially became Pernod Ricard...
and Valencia
Circuit de Valencia
Circuit Ricardo Tormo, also known as Circuit de Valencia and officially named Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a motorsport race track located in Cheste and built in 1999. It has a capacity of 120,000 spectators and seating for 60,000...
, driving for both Draco Racing
Draco Racing
Draco Racing is a motorsports team from Italy. It currently operates in the World Series by Renault, but has also taken part in Formula Opel Lotus, International Formula 3000 and Euro Formula 3000.-Formula Opel Lotus Euroseries:...
and Prema Powerteam
Prema Powerteam
Prema Powerteam is a motorsports team from Italy. It currently operates in the World Series by Renault, but has also taken part in Formula Three Euroseries and Italian Formula 3. The team was founded in 1984. Also this team was a part of Toyota Driver Programme.-Formula Three Euroseries:-World...
. In December 2008, it was announced that Leal had signed with Prema Powerteam for the 2009 season. He had a testing first season in the category, with a podium at the Hungaroring
Hungaroring
The Hungaroring is a racing circuit in Mogyoród, near Budapest, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend of his...
being his only points–scoring finish, as he wound up 20th in the standings.
In the off–season, Leal tested for both Prema and Mofaz Racing
Fortec Motorsport
Fortec Motorsport Ltd. is a motor-racing team that races in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, the British Formula Three Championship, and several junior formulae categories at a British and pan-European level...
at the Circuit de Catalunya
Circuit de Catalunya
The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmeló, to the north of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit.-History:...
and in December 2009, it was announced that he would drive for Draco Racing in the 2010 season, partnering Formula Renault
Formula Renault
Formula Renault is a class of formula racing founded in 1971. It is popular in Europe and other countries. Regarded as an entry-level series to motor racing, it is a respected series where drivers can learn advanced racecraft before moving on to Formula Three, World Series by Renault, GP2 or...
graduate Nathanaël Berthon
Nathanaël Berthon
Nathanaël Berthon is a professional racing driver from France.-Karting:Berthon began his international karting career in 2006, with the highlights being a third place finish in the Copa Campeones Trophy ICA class and fifth in the French Championship Elite category. The following year he again...
. He again finished the season in 20th position after struggling to match his rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
team–mate, with his best race result being a fourth place at the first race in Brno
Masaryk Circuit
The Masaryk circuit or Masarykring, now referred to as the Brno Circuit, refers two Czech racing circuits located close to the city of Brno.The original circuit was made up of public roads, and at its longest measured nearly...
.
Auto GP
In March 2010, it was announced that Leal would also compete in the new Auto GP2010 Auto GP season
The 2010 Auto GP season was the twelfth season of the former Euroseries 3000, and the first under its new name "Auto GP". The main sponsor of the series was PartyPoker.it...
championship, competing for the Italian team Trident Racing
Trident Racing
Trident Racing is a motor racing team that competes in single seater formula racing. It was founded in 2006 in order to compete in the GP2 championship, which is Europe's highest-ranking single-seater formula below Formula One. GP2 functions as an official support championship to Formula One and...
. He finished seventh in the final standings, with the highlight of his season coming at the penultimate round at the brand–new Circuito de Navarra
Circuito de Navarra
Circuito de Navarra is a motorsport race track that opened in June 2010 near Los Arcos in the Navarre region of Northern Spain. It is a permanent road course that hosts the Superleague Formula series and the FIA GT1 World Championship....
, where he won the first race after starting from pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
.
GP2 Series
In November 2010, Leal tested a GP2 SeriesGP2 Series
The GP2 Series, GP2 for short, is a form of open wheel motor racing introduced in 2005 following the discontinuation of the long-term Formula One feeder series, Formula 3000. The format was conceived by Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, while Ecclestone also has the rights to the name GP1...
car for the first time, taking part in the post–season test at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
, and in January 2011 it was announced that he had signed with the Rapax Team to contest the GP2 Asia Series season
2011 GP2 Asia Series season
The 2011 GP2 Asia Series was the fourth and final season of the GP2 Asia Series, and the second to be held entirely in a single calendar year. Rather than starting at the end of 2010 and running through the winter as with the previous two seasons of GP2 Asia, the 2011 season did not start until the...
, lining–up alongside Fabio Leimer
Fabio Leimer
Fabio Leimer is a professional racing driver from Switzerland.-Karting:Like many of today's racing drivers, Leimer started his career in karting back in 2003, when he won the Swiss Junior Championship...
. He had initially signed to contest only the Asia series
GP2 Asia Series
The GP2 Asia Series is a form of open wheel motor racing based on the GP2 series.The series was officially announced during the weekend of the 2007 Monaco Grand Prix. GP2 series organiser Bruno Michel commented that "It is of great importance that the GP2 Asia Series maintains a strong and viable...
, but in March 2011 it was confirmed that he would stay with the team for the main 2011 championship
2011 GP2 Series season
The 2011 GP2 Series season was the seventh season of the pan-European motor racing series for single specification open wheel GP2 cars. Thirteen teams competed over a nine event series that run from May 7 at Istanbul Park in Turkey to September 11 at Monza in Italy...
, in which he finished 27th.
Career summary
| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Formula Renault 2.0 PanamGP | Penix Unico | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 72 | 9th |
| 2007 | Formula Renault 2.0 PanamGP | ? | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 17th |
| Euroseries 3000 2007 Euroseries 3000 season The 2007 Euroseries 3000 season was the ninth Euro Formula 3000 season. Both series were won by Italian Davide Rigon who would go on to win the 2008 Superleague Formula season and compete in GP2.-Teams and drivers:-Race calendar:... |
Durango Durango (racing team) Durango Automotive SRL is an auto racing team founded in 1980 by Ivone Pinton and Enrico Magro and based in Italy, which currently races in the Auto GP series with Carlos Iaconelli... |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 9th | |
| Italian Formula 3000 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11th | ||
| 2008 | Euroseries 3000 2008 Euroseries 3000 season The 2008 Euroseries 3000 season was the tenth Euro Formula 3000 season. The main series was won by Frenchman Nicolas Prost.-Teams and drivers:-Race calendar:* Races valid also towards the F3000 Italian Championship.-Championship Standings:... |
Durango Durango (racing team) Durango Automotive SRL is an auto racing team founded in 1980 by Ivone Pinton and Enrico Magro and based in Italy, which currently races in the Auto GP series with Carlos Iaconelli... |
15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 6th |
| Italian Formula 3000 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 35 | 1st | ||
| 2009 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | Prema Powerteam Prema Powerteam Prema Powerteam is a motorsports team from Italy. It currently operates in the World Series by Renault, but has also taken part in Formula Three Euroseries and Italian Formula 3. The team was founded in 1984. Also this team was a part of Toyota Driver Programme.-Formula Three Euroseries:-World... |
17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 20th |
| 2010 | Formula Renault 3.5 Series | International DracoRacing Draco Racing Draco Racing is a motorsports team from Italy. It currently operates in the World Series by Renault, but has also taken part in Formula Opel Lotus, International Formula 3000 and Euro Formula 3000.-Formula Opel Lotus Euroseries:... |
17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 20th |
| Auto GP 2010 Auto GP season The 2010 Auto GP season was the twelfth season of the former Euroseries 3000, and the first under its new name "Auto GP". The main sponsor of the series was PartyPoker.it... |
Trident Racing Trident Racing Trident Racing is a motor racing team that competes in single seater formula racing. It was founded in 2006 in order to compete in the GP2 championship, which is Europe's highest-ranking single-seater formula below Formula One. GP2 functions as an official support championship to Formula One and... |
12 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 21 | 9th | |
| 2011 | GP2 Asia Series 2011 GP2 Asia Series season The 2011 GP2 Asia Series was the fourth and final season of the GP2 Asia Series, and the second to be held entirely in a single calendar year. Rather than starting at the end of 2010 and running through the winter as with the previous two seasons of GP2 Asia, the 2011 season did not start until the... |
Rapax | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26th |
| GP2 Series 2011 GP2 Series season The 2011 GP2 Series season was the seventh season of the pan-European motor racing series for single specification open wheel GP2 cars. Thirteen teams competed over a nine event series that run from May 7 at Istanbul Park in Turkey to September 11 at Monza in Italy... |
Rapax | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27th |
Complete GP2 Series results
(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 2011 GP2 Series season The 2011 GP2 Series season was the seventh season of the pan-European motor racing series for single specification open wheel GP2 cars. Thirteen teams competed over a nine event series that run from May 7 at Istanbul Park in Turkey to September 11 at Monza in Italy... |
Rapax | TUR FEA Istanbul Park Istanbul Park , also known as the Istanbul Racing Circuit or initially Istanbul Otodrom, is a motor sports race track in Akfırat County east of Istanbul, Turkey. It was inaugurated on 21 August 2005... 19 |
TUR SPR Istanbul Park Istanbul Park , also known as the Istanbul Racing Circuit or initially Istanbul Otodrom, is a motor sports race track in Akfırat County east of Istanbul, Turkey. It was inaugurated on 21 August 2005... Ret |
ESP FEA Circuit de Catalunya The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmeló, to the north of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit.-History:... 17 |
ESP SPR Circuit de Catalunya The Circuit de Catalunya is a racetrack in Montmeló, to the north of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. With long straights and a variety of corners, the Circuit de Catalunya is seen as an all-rounder circuit.-History:... 14 |
MON FEA Circuit de Monaco Circuit de Monaco is a street circuit laid out on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the principality of Monaco. It is commonly referred to as "Monte Carlo" because it is largely inside the Monte Carlo neighbourhood of Monaco.The circuit is used on one weekend in... Ret |
MON SPR Circuit de Monaco Circuit de Monaco is a street circuit laid out on the city streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine around the harbour of the principality of Monaco. It is commonly referred to as "Monte Carlo" because it is largely inside the Monte Carlo neighbourhood of Monaco.The circuit is used on one weekend in... Ret |
VAL FEA Valencia Street Circuit The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent street circuit in Valencia, Spain which will host the Formula One European Grand Prix for seven years. The first race meeting on the circuit was held over the 23/24 August 2008 weekend, with Felipe Massa winning the main event, the European Grand... 11 |
VAL SPR Valencia Street Circuit The Valencia Street Circuit is a semi-permanent street circuit in Valencia, Spain which will host the Formula One European Grand Prix for seven years. The first race meeting on the circuit was held over the 23/24 August 2008 weekend, with Felipe Massa winning the main event, the European Grand... 9 |
GBR FEA Silverstone Circuit Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side... 22 |
GBR SPR Silverstone Circuit Silverstone Circuit is an English motor racing circuit next to the Northamptonshire villages of Silverstone and Whittlebury. The circuit straddles the Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire border, with the current main circuit entry on the Buckinghamshire side... 21 |
GER FEA Nürburgring The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about... 14 |
GER SPR Nürburgring The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about... 9 |
HUN FEA Hungaroring The Hungaroring is a racing circuit in Mogyoród, near Budapest, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend of his... 20 |
HUN SPR Hungaroring The Hungaroring is a racing circuit in Mogyoród, near Budapest, Hungary where the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix is held. In 1986, it became the location of the first Formula One Grand Prix behind the Iron Curtain. Bernie Ecclestone wanted a race in the USSR, but a Hungarian friend of his... Ret |
BEL FEA Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its... Ret |
BEL SPR Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps The Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is the venue of the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix and the Spa 24 Hours endurance race. It is also home to the all Volkswagen club event, 25 Hours of Spa, run by the Uniroyal Fun Cup. It is one of the most challenging race tracks in the world, mainly due to its... Ret |
ITA FEA Autodromo Nazionale Monza The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception.... 16 |
ITA SPR Autodromo Nazionale Monza The Autodromo Nazionale Monza is a race track located near the town of Monza, north of Milan, in Italy. The circuit's biggest event is the Formula One Italian Grand Prix, which has been hosted there since the sport's inception.... Ret |
27th | 0 |
Complete GP2 Asia Series results
(Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 2011 GP2 Asia Series season The 2011 GP2 Asia Series was the fourth and final season of the GP2 Asia Series, and the second to be held entirely in a single calendar year. Rather than starting at the end of 2010 and running through the winter as with the previous two seasons of GP2 Asia, the 2011 season did not start until the... |
Rapax | ABU FEA Ret |
ABU SPR 17 |
ITA FEA 17 |
ITA SPR 18 |
26th | 0 |