S5000 is a big, noisy, glorious tribute to the old Formula 5000 cars of the 1960s and 70s – basically, it’s an F3 chassis with a dirty great 5.0-litre V8 shoehorned into the back. After some exhibition races last year, 2020 sees a full six-round championship, kicking off with a support race at Albert Park during the Australian GP weekend – and Aitken will be in the field.
Driving for Team BRM, he’ll be teammates with IndyCar driver James Davison, Supercars driver Zane Goddard… and F1 legend Rubens Barrichello, himself a former Williams driver, who finished second in the first event at Sandown last year.
Aitken said of his decision to race:
“I love all forms of cars and racing so I’m really looking forward to experiencing S5000 with its V8 power on such a fantastic track in Australia. There’s a great selection of drivers on the grid, including some F1 legends, so I’m sure it’s going to be a really memorable occasion. Many thanks to Team BRM and everyone who made it possible.”
Yep, that’s F1 legends, plural. That’s because Giancarlo Fisichella will also be in the field; he and Barrichello have a staggering 551 grand prix starts between them. Throw in the likes of Aussie F4 champion Luis Leeds, S5000 winner James Golding and experienced peddlers like Alexandre Premat and you have a small but thoroughly tough field for Aitken to measure himself against. All the best, Jack!
