DTM: Lucas Auer graduates into the DTM 2015

For two years, Lucas Auer shone in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. Now, the 20-year-old is rewarded for his performance: he graduates into the DTM and will become a member of the Mercedes-Benz line-up for the upcoming season. In 2013, the Austrian ended up fourth in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings behind the wheel of a Dallara-Mercedes run by the Prema Powerteam. One year later, he repeated this achievement with the Mücke Motorsport team, once again using Mercedes-Benz engines.

“Joining the DTM is an important step in my career,” says Auer, who already completed an initial test with the Mercedes-AMG C63 AMG in December last year. “This test in Jerez de la Frontera was a fantastic experience. I can’t wait to get back in the car and continue preparations for my DTM debut. I realise that it won’t be an easy task. The DTM is a top-class racing series with formidable opponents, but I’m willing to learn and ready to embark on this adventure. I intend to grab this chance at Mercedes Benz with both hands”.

Auer, who has racked up a total of four FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship race wins and finished second in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix in 2014, fits perfectly into the concept followed by Toto Wolff, head of motorsport at Mercedes-Benz: “It is our philosophy to giving young racing talents a chance to move up to the DTM. Lucas is young and has earned this opportunity with his performance in recent years in Formula 3,” he praises his new protégé.

The first DTM race meeting in 2015 will be held on the Hockenheimring in early May.

61° Macau Gran Prix Fórmula 3, Felix Rosenqvist wins Macau Grand Prix qualifying race.

Felix Rosenqvist (Kashbet.com by Mücke Motorsport) made the best of his pole position by winning the ten-lap qualifying race for the Suncity Group Macau Grand Prix. In a race that ran behind the safety car for three laps, the 23-year-old Swede won from his Austrian team-mate Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport). Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) finished third with the reigning FIA Fórmula 3 European Champion, Esteban Ocon (SJM Theodore Racing by Prema) rounding out the top four.

Having started from second on the grid, Lucas Auer overtook his Swedish team-mate, benefitting from the slipstream in the run to the first corner and led the field into the notorious Lisboa right-hander. Some drivers had more problems dealing with the first corner, including Spaniard Alex Palou (Fortec Motorsports) who crashed into the tyre stacks. Auer built up a two seconds’ advantage on the first three laps while Rosenqvist lost second place on lap two to Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing), the Dutchman having made good progress from fifth on the grid in the opening stages of the race.

However, all Verstappen’s efforts proved to be in vain. On lap four, Verstappen lost control of his car after locking up under braking in the Solitude-Esses and hit the tyre stacks. Thus, the Fórmula 1-bound Dutchman saw all his high hopes of bowing out of Fórmula 3 with success in Macau blown. Because Brit Sam MacLeod (Tom’s) also crashed on the same lap, the safety car was deployed. At that time, Auer was leading from Rosenqvist, Blomqvist, Ocon, Roberto Merhi (W66.com Double R Racing), Nick Cassidy (ThreeBond with T-Sport) and Jordan King (GR Asia with Carlin). Racing resumed on lap eight and, as it happens so often in Macau, the driver who led across the line lost the lead on the following straight: Rosenqvist benefited from the slipstream and took first place under braking for Lisboa. Cassidy overtook Merhi for fifth. Once in the lead, Rosenqvist quickly built up a comfortable lead and crossed the finish line as the race winner after ten laps with Auer completing the 1-2 for Mücke Motorsport. Blomqvist took the final podium slot from Ocon, Cassidy, Merhi, Nicholas Latifi (SJM Theodore Racing by Prema), King, Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Stefano Coletti (Eurointernational).

“Of course, losing the lead after the start was exactly what I didn’t want to happen, but starting from pole and then losing first place on the long straight is a usual thing here in Macau,” race winner Felix Rosenqvist commented. “Then, fortunately, it worked the other way round after the restart. Once I was back in the lead, I was determined to pull a gap as quickly as possible to prevent Lucas from doing the same on the next lap. In the opening stages, I had a nice battle with Max Verstappen. Then, he made life a little bit easier for me after he crashed. It is a thing that can always happen here in Macau. Victory today makes me quite happy, but generally, any place in the top three is good for tomorrow”. Second-placed Lucas Auer said: “This was another good result for our team. We have an incredible pace. It is always difficult to defend first place into the first corner when starting from pole here, so for me, everything is perfect. I am very confident for tomorrow, we are well prepared”. Tom Blomqvist had the same view: “Tomorrow is the main race, the one we all want to win. Third place is a good position to start from in Macau and I am happy and confident”. The 15-lap Fórmula 3 race in Macau starts on Sunday at 15.30 hrs local time (8.30 hrs CET).

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series/CGPM

F3 Euro Series: Auer wins final race of 2014, Blomqvist runner-up in drivers’ standings.

Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport) concluded his second year in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship with his third victory of the season. British drivers Jordan King (Carlin) and Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) followed behind the 20-year-old Austrian. With this third place, Blomqvist also secured himself second place in the final drivers’ standings of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing), who will be racing in Fórmula 1 for Toro Rosso next year, finished sixth in his final race in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship ahead of Ocon. Thus, the 17-year-old Dutchman ends up third in the final drivers’ standings behind Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam), who was already crowned as the European Champion in Imola, and Blomqvist.

Initially, Tom Blomqvist took the lead, but after a few kilometres only, Lucas Auer already demoted him to second. Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) lost his third place to Jordan King on the opening lap. On the same lap, the safety car was deployed after Tatiana Calderón (Jo Zeller Racing) had missed her braking point before the hairpin and collected Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Jules Szymkowiak (Van Amersfoort Racing). Calderón and Serrallés retired, Szymkowiak continued after a pit stop.

Auer remained in the lead from Blomqvist and King at the restart. After only one lap, he was already 1.5 seconds clear of his first rival Blomqvist. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen tried to claim sixth place from Esteban Ocon. After a fierce battle, he eventually overtook the Frenchman on lap eleven and moved up to sixth.

In the closing stages, Jordan King found a way past Tom Blomqvist and took over second place from his fellow-Brit. Ahead of King, a buoyant Lucas Auer took the chequered flag as the winner of the race. Felix Rosenqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) safely brought their fourth and fifth place home while Max Verstappen crossed the finish line in sixth place from European Champion Esteban Ocon. Sean Galeal (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), Edward Jones (Carlin) and Dennis van de Laar (Prema Powerteam) rounded out the top ten in the final race of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship season.

Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport): “This was a beautiful race. I wanted first place at all cost and I managed to get it. The overtaking move on Tom Blomqvist wasn’t so difficult, but I also had the impression that he wasn’t too aggressive because he had the drivers’ standings in mind, too. Soon after I had overtaken Tom, my car got stuck in third gear once again, but this time, it wasn’t a big problem. Concluding the season with a victory and thus showing our potential is great”.

Jordan King (Carlin): “My start was good and the first lap was very positive, too, because I was able to overtake Felix Rosenqvist. At the end of the race, I was also able to benefit from a mistake by Tom Blomqvist and take second place. I am happy with this end to my season”.

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “Lucas Auer managed to overtake me on the opening lap with a good move. Generally, our pace wasn’t as good as yesterday and therefore, there was nothing I could do against Lucas’s attack. On the penultimate lap, I made a mistake and Jordan benefited from it. I am very happy with my second place in the drivers’ standings and second place for my team Jagonya Ayam with Carlin in the teams’ championship”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series 

F3 Euro Series: A lights-to-flag victory and second place in the points for Tom Blomqvist.

With his sixth race win of the season in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship, Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) moved up to second place in the drivers’ standings. At the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, he won from Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport). Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam), who already secured the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship title at Imola, finished fourth in the penultimate race of the season ahead of Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing).

Tom Blomqvist used his pole position and moved up into the lead from Lucas Auer and Antonio Giovinazzi. Antonio Fuoco (Prema Powerteam) was turned around by Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) while driving through the hairpin for the first time and dropped back to the end of the field. His opponent Gelael had to turn into the pits, but then also continued. On lap two, Max Verstappen was overtaken by Tatiana Calderón (Jo Zeller Racing), the only lady racer in the field, in the battle for seventh. The Dutchman countered soon after that and overtook both Calderón and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) to claim sixth place.

A few minutes later, Michele Beretta (Eurointernational) lost the rear wing of his car. In order for parts of this wing to be removed from the track, the clerk of the course sent the safety car out. At the restart, Tom Blomqvist remained in the lead while Lucas Auer and Antonio Giovinazzi also held on to their respective positions. The order in the following positions changed on lap 16 as Giovinazzi overtook Lucas Auer and claimed back second place. While Blomqvist managed to pull clear more and more out in front and Giovinazzi also built up a slight advantage over Auer towards the end of the race, the Austrian had to work to keep Esteban Ocon at bay until the finish.

The race was red-flagged just before the planned end following a collision between Antonio Fuoco and Jake Dennis (Carlin). Tom Blomqvist won from Antonio Giovinazzi, Lucas Auer, Esteban Ocon and Max Verstappen. With Felix Rosenqvist and Roy Nissany (Mücke Motorsport), two drivers of the Mücke Motorsport team finished in sixth and seventh place ahead of Tatiana Calderón, Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Dennis van de Laar (Prema Powerteam).

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “Track conditions changed massively from the first to the second race, which was perhaps due to the rubber from the tyres of the DTM cars. Generally, this race wasn’t an easy one, but went well nevertheless. After the start, I managed to pull a gap and I controlled the race. For me, it was mainly about not making any mistakes”.

Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “I had a good start, but Lucas had an even better start. Thus, I lost second place going into the first corner, but I was able to claim it back during the race. I am very happy with my second place and victory for my team-mate Tom Blomqvist”.

Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport): “My start was mega. Unfortunately, my car got stuck in third gear once again during the race, so that it was relatively easy for Antonio to overtake me. We already had that problem in the first race and now have to do everything to solve it”.

F3 Euro Series: Max Verstappen wins, Prema Powerteam team champions.

With his tenth victory of the season, Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort) extended his margin from rival Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin). In the battle for runner-up spot in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings, Verstappen is now in front with a margin of 13 points. At the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, the 17-year-old Dutchman, who already took part in his first free practice in Formula 1, took the chequered flag as the winner from Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport) and Tom Blomqvist. Already-crowned FIA Fórmula 3 European Champion Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam) finished seventh in the race. Although the two Jagonya Ayam with Carlin drivers Blomqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) finished third and fourth, Ocon’s seventh place was enough to win the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship teams’ title for his Prema Powerteam with two races to spare.

Max Verstappen took the lead at the start, but couldn’t really pull clear from his rivals Lucas Auer and Tom Blomqvist in the opening stages. Only in the course of the race, the Dutchman gradually extended his margin and scored an undisputed victory after 22 race laps. Behind him, Lucas Auer, Tom Blomqvist, Antionio Giovinazzi and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) had little problems bringing their second to fifth places home. 

In the first race of the Hockenheim weekend, Esteban Ocon had slightly more work to do. Jordan King (Carlin), who was seventh after the start, overtook Ocon on lap nine and eventually finished sixth ahead of the Frenchman. The battle for ninth place between Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Sean Gelael (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) was even more intense. For a few laps, the Indonesian was able to defend his position from the attacks by Puerto Rican Serrallés, but eventually couldn’t keep him at bay. Ahead of these two, Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing) finished eighth.

Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing): “I had a good start and the race was good, too. After we had some problems in second qualifying and I wasn’t happy, we have made some changes on the car for the first race. In the first few laps, Lucas and Tom were still biding their chances behind me, but then, I was able to pull a slight gap and I controlled the race”.

Lucas Auer (Mücke Motorsport): “Hockenheim is a track that suits me, and so it does for my team kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport. My start was good, but then, my car got stuck in one gear and I lost some ground to Max. Later on, Max was quicker than me anyway”.

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “My start was good and the first few laps were positive, too. After that, I couldn’t keep up with the speed of Lucas and Max. Now, we have to find out what the reason for that was”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Lucas Auer claims the winner’s trophy at the Nürburgring.

Lucas Auer became the winner of the 27th season race of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. In a tight battle, the Austrian came out on top from Tom Blomqvist and thus claimed the first win for his team Mücke Motorsport since the weekend at Pau, early May. Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing), who was dropped ten places on the grid following an engine change and thus started twelfth, ended up third at the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring sprint circuit. In the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings, the 16-year-old Dutchman remains in second place behind Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam). The Frenchman already retired after a collision on the opening lap, but still has a 77 points’ lead from Verstappen, who recently was integrated into the Red Bull Junior Team.

The opening stage of the race already provided plenty of action with an accident in the first corner. Antonio Giovinazzi, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) and Esteban Ocon collided and spun. Nicholas Latifi, (Prema Powerteam) couldn’t avoid the two cars and Dennis van de Laar, (Prema Powerteam), damaged the rear of his car after contact with Latifi. After the incident, the safety car was deployed.

Racing resumed at the start of lap five. Lucas Auer took the opportunity and mounted an attack on Blomqvist, after which he was able to overtake him. On lap ten, the Austrian briefly had to slot in behind Blomqvist again, but he successfully countered straight away and claimed back the lead. He defended his first place until the chequered flag was out. Behind Auer and Blomqvist, Max Verstappen kept Antonio Fuoco under pressure in the battle for third, but initially, the Italian stayed in front. Only two laps before the end, Verstappen managed to overtake Fuoco and bring home third place. Behind Fuoco, the protégé of the Ferrari Driver Academy, in fourth, Jordan King crossed the line to finish fifth.

The battle for the positions in the midfield was also highly entertaining. Roy Nissany, (Mücke Motorsport) attacked Felix Serralles, (Team West-Tec F3), several times and eventually managed to overtake the driver from Puerto Rico to finish sixth. Behind Serralles, Tatiana Calderón, (Jo Zeller Racing), the only lady racer in the field, took the flag in eighth place. Jake Dennis, (Carlin) and Jules Szymkowiak, (Van Amersfoort Racing) rounded out the top ten.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “I made a good start, after which I was able to move up into second place right away. During the safety car phase, it was clear that my only chance to overtake Tom would be to mount an attack right after the restart, and that is what I did. But even though I have won here, we are still lacking the speed to be in contention for victory on a regular basis”.

Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “Second place is a nice result for us, although I am slightly disappointed with it. After all, I would have liked to win the race after starting from pole position. I briefly overtook Lucas, but then I ran wide and Lucas went past again”.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing): “My engine blew in the second race, so that the engine had to be replaced and I was dropped ten places on the grid in accordance with the regulations. In the race, I had a really good pace and I tried everything to move up through the ranks. I reckon that I can be happy with having made it all the way from twelfth on the grid to a podium finish”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Antonio Giovinazzi celebrates race win.

At the 4.326 kilometres long Red Bull Ring, 20-year-old Italian Antonio Giovinazzi celebrated his maiden FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship race win. His team-mate Tom Blomqvist took the chequered flag in third place from Lucas Auer, the only Austrian in the field. Esteban Ocon remains in the lead of the drivers’ standings. The French Lotus Fórmula 1 junior driver finished 13th in the race following a drive-through penalty for driving too fast under yellow flags and thus failed to score any points.

At the start, Antonio Giovinazzi benefited from his pole position and took the lead. Tom Blomqvist followed in second place. Soon after that, Felix Rosenqvist spun into the gravel trap and retired. On lap three, a collision involving Alexander Toril and Jules Szymkowiak brought the safety car out. The accident meant the end of the race for Spanish driver Toril.

After the restart, Antonio Giovinazzi remained in front. In the laps until the end, the Italian pulled clear from Tom Blomqvist more and more and eventually drove an undisputed victory home. Tom Blomqvist and Lucas Auer also had a rather uneventful race while numerous position fights in the midfield entertained the spectators. Max Verstappen battled with Antonio Fuoco for fourth place. The two tangled in the process, for which Fuoco paid the price with a damaged front wing of his car. The Italian, a protégé of the Ferrari driver Academy, had to turn into the pits while Verstappen was given a drive-through penalty for his move. The Dutchman eventually was classified twelfth, Fuoco concluded the race in 19th place.

Nicholas Latifi inherited third place from Jake Dennis, Edward Jones, Jordan King, Gustavo Menezes, Tatiana Calderón and Sean Gelael.

Antonio Giovinazzi, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “I am very happy with this victory and the fact that my team-mate Ton Blomqvist came second. It is a great performance by our team Jagonya Ayam with Carlin. My start was good and I managed to keep Tom Blomqvist at bay. During the safety car phase, I really paid attention to ensure that the gap to the safety car wouldn’t get too big, because that was my big mistake in the second race of this weekend. This time, I managed and I am really happy with my maiden race win in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship”.

Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “Our team Jagonya Ayam with Carlin has done a tremendous job, we secured first and second place. Antonio showed a perfect performance, he has deserved this win. For me, things went really well with my second place, too and I am happy”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “I had a good start and managed to overtake Antonio Fuoco straight away. After that, I had some problems, but because the guys behind me were fighting, I was able to hold on to third place. Generally, I am very happy with the progress we have made from Friday to today. My team Mücke Motorsport really has done a very good job”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Antonio Fuoco celebrates second season win.

The 23rd season round of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship provided plenty of action for the spectators at the 4.326 kilometres long Red Bull Ring. Antonio Fuoco, (Prema Powerteam), was able to decide the race in his favour, although he never led the field for one moment. For his second victory in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship season, the rookie driver benefited from a 20 seconds’ time penalty for Antonio Giovinazzi, who led throughout the race, due to an infringement of the safety car procedure. Eventually, Fuoco won from Tom Blomqvist and national hero Lucas Auer. For points’ leader Esteban Ocon, things didn’t go according to plan either; the French Lotus Fórmula 1 junior driver collided with Felix Rosenqvist and retired.

At the start, Antonio Giovinazzi took the lead from Tom Blomqvist. On the way to the first corner, the Brit had to slot in behind Antonio Fuoco and dropped back to third. On lap three, Jordan King and Max Verstappen collided, which ended with a spin by British driver King. As a result, the safety car was deployed for the first time in this race. Shortly after the restart, Dennis van de Laar spun, which caused the second safety car intervention in this 23rd season round. After the next restart, Esteban Ocon and Felix Rosenqvist tangled in the battle for fourth place. Both drivers retired. On lap 16, Richard Goddard spun after a collision with Roy Nissany and hit Sandro Zeller’s car in the aftermath. For Goddard and Zeller, the race was over.

Out in front, Antonio Giovinazzi still held on to the lead, but at the final restart of the race, he left a gap to the safety car that was too big and was given a drive-through penalty as a result. As he didn’t come in for this penalty during the remainder of the race, it was converted into a 20 seconds’ time penalty. Thus, the Italian lost his first place to compatriot Antonio Fuoco, who became the winner of the race. Tom Blomqvist was delighted with his second-place finish, Lucas Auer took the chequered flag in third place. Max Verstappen, Gustavo Menezes, Edward Jones, Sean Gelael, Nicholas Latifi, Jules Szymkowiak and Alexander Toril rounded out the top ten. For Spaniard Toril, tenth place is his best result in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship to date.

Antonio Fuoco, (Prema Powerteam): “I anm really happy and proud of this victory. After a good start, I was able to overtake Lucas Auer in the first corner and I was even second after the second corner. However, I had no chance against Antonio Giovinazzi, who was still in front of me; he was simply too fast. My engineer told me over the radio about the penalty for Giovinazzi, so I was aware that I had won as I crossed the line”.

Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): “I feel really sorry for my team-mate Antonio Giovinazzi, because he was quick and would have deserved this success. My start wasn’t perfect and when I was between Lucas Auer and Antonio Fuoco in the second corner, Antonio was able to overtake me. I was left without a chance”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “My start was okay, but I lost a few places in the first few corners. Then I was lucky that there were some incidents in this race and I benefited from some of them. Thus, I came home third. My car was already much better than yesterday, but we still have work to do. Nevertheless, I am happy with my podium finish in my home race”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Fifth win in a row for Max Verstappen.

Max Verstappen, also prevailed in the rain at Norisring and claimed his fifth consecutive win in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. The race started at a drying track, but rain set in again during the race. At the 2.3 kilometres long track in the centre of Nuremberg, the son of ex-Fórmula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, did everything right and won from Jordan King and Lucas Auer. Esteban Ocon, had to make do with 14th place following a drive-through penalty for causing a collision with Tom Blomqvist, but still remains in the lead of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings.

Max Verstappen took the lead at the start, followed by Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon. On the opening lap already, the first collision occurred in the midfield: Richard Goddard and Felipe Guimarães retired. Jules Szymkowiak, had to turn into the pits, just like Alexander Toril, and Michele Beretta. Only Toril and Beretta were able to continue. A safety-car intervention followed.

At the restart, Verstappen held on to his lead while Felix Rosenqvist and Jordan King overtook Santino Ferrucci, demoting the young American to seventh. On lap 17, Roy Nissany, hit the rear of the car of the only lady racer in the field, Tatiana Calderón, after which the safety car came out once more. Max Verstappen was still in the lead ahead of Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon. Heavy rain then caused an interruption of the race.

Verstappen also had the best restart behind the safety car on a wet track a few minutes later and stayed in first place. Soon after that, Ocon and Blomqvist tangled, the Brit retired and the Frenchman was given a drive-through penalty. King inherited second place, Lucas Auer moved up to third as a brief safety car neutralised the race once more. With King ahead of Auer, the two crossed the finish line behind race winner Verstappen after 32 laps. Jake Dennis, finished fourth in his second race at Norisring from 16-year-old Santino Ferrucci, who already scored his first points on his second weekend in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship. Felix Rosenqvist, Antonio Fuoco, Nicholas Latifi, Antonio Giovinazzi and Gustavo Menezes rounded out the top ten.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing): “Today, conditions were anything but easy. Ma start was good and my pace in the rain wasn’t too bad either. Then, it almost went even better in the rain, but it was similar to what we had in second qualifying yesterday. We had a good balance right away and that was the case in the race, too”.

Jordan King, (Carlin): “Being on the podium after such a long time is great. My start into the race was good and I was able to move up to fourth until the red flag came out. After the restart on a wet track, I also managed to overtake Tom Blomqvist and Esteban Ocon and I was second. Then my engineer told me on the radio that Ocon had been given a drive-through penalty, I took it quite easily on the final couple of laps. Max was already too far away and from that time on, my second place was relatively safe”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “The race wasn’t easy. I was fourth right after the start, but then I lost my position again after a mistake. On a wet track, I could move up again and now I am happy with my third place. In the wet, I tried everything to score another podium finish and I succeeded”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Max Verstappen also wins at Norisring.

Following his triple victory at Spa-Francorchamps, 16-year-old Dutchman Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing), continued his winning streak at the 2.3 kilometres long Norisring. The son of ex-Fórmula 1 driver Jos Verstappen won the action-packed 16th season round of the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship from Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam), and Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport). With his fifth win of the season, Verstappen moves up into second place of the drivers’ standings, he is currently 106 points down on the leader, Lotus F1 junior driver Esteban Ocon.

The race at the Norisring in Nuremberg had plenty of action. On the opening lap, Mitch Gilbert, (Fortec Motorsports), and Antonio Giovinazzi, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), collided and triggered a chain reaction. After that, Giovinazzi had to turn into the pits, just like Jules Szymkowiak, (Van Amersfoort Racing). Dennis van de Laar, (Prema Powerteam), retired.

Racing resumed after three laps and Felix Rosenqvist, (Mücke Motorsport), stayed in the lead from Esteban Ocon and Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin). Soon after that, Blomqvist damaged the front wing of his car and came into the pits for a replacement. Thus, he lost his third place to Lucas Auer. After Antonio Fuoco, (Prema Powerteam), and Gustavo Menezes, (Van Amersfoort Racing), collided, the safety car was deployed for the second time.

Esteban Ocon used the second restart of the race to claim the lead, but the Frenchman only held on to the top position for a brief while until Max Verstappen overtook him. After Tatiana Calderón, (Jo Zeller Racing), had hit the wall and Antonio Giovinazzi failed to steer away from the car of the only lady racer in the field, the safety car was deployed for the third tme. Just before the end of the race, Jordan King, (Carlin), provoked the fourth and final safety car intervention as he lost the front wing of his car on the track.

After 37 laps, Max Verstappen won from Esteban Ocon, Lucas Auer, Nicholas Latifi, (Prema Powerteam), Jake Dennis, (Carlin), Felix Rosenqvist, Roy Nissany, (Mücke Motorsport), Felix Serralles, (Team West-Tec F3), Sean Gelael, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), and Tom Blomqvist. Israeli Roy Nissany and Indonesian Sean Galeal scored their best results of the season to date.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing): “In the battles during the early stages of the race, I had almost ruined the nose of my car. After that, I found a good pace, I was able to close up to the two drivers in front of me and then I also managed to overtake them. After that, I could control the race. My car was great and winning at the Norisring is fantastic”.

Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam): “My start was good, I slotted in behind Felix Rosenqvist. After the second safety car intervention, I overtook Felix and led the race for a while until Max overtook me three laps later. My speed wasn’t very good that is something we now have to work on. After Tom Blomqvist ran into the back of my car, I was worried initially that my car could be damaged, but fortunately, things worked out well for me”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “My start was okay, I was able to keep my position. When Tom Blomqvist turned into the pits to get a new front wing, I was third. Later on, I was in a nice battle with my team-mate Felix Rosenqvist in which I managed to come out on top”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Max Verstappen wins his home race.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing), the son of ex-Fórmula 1 driver Jos Verstappen, scored his second season in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship at the 7.004 kilometres long Fórmula 1 circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. The 16-year-old Dutchman with residence in Belgium won the 13th season round from Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport), the nephew of ex-Fórmula 1 driver Gerhard Berger. Jake Dennis, (Carlin), claimed third place. Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam), remains in the lead of the drivers’ standings. The French Lotus F1 junior driver retired following a collision with Antonio Fuoco, (Prema Powerteam), on the opening lap.

Max Verstappen already moved up into the lead at an early stage and didn’t lose his position after a safety car intervention. The safety car was deployed on lap six after 16-year-old Santino Ferrucci, (Eurointernational), who is making his series debut this weekend, and Italian Antinio Giovinazzi, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) had collided and retired. Verstappen’s victory was only briefly in jeopardy on the final lap when Lucas Auer started an attack. Verstappen turned this off successfully and took the chequered flag ahead of his opponent from Austria.

British rookie driver Jake Dennis crossed the finish line in third place. The Carlin driver overtook Felix Rosenqvist, (Mücke Motorsport), for third on the final lap and got to climb on the podium for the prize-giving ceremony as a reward. The Swede dropped back as far as seventh due to a broken fuel pump. Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), claimed fourth place from Antonio Fuoco and Gustavo Menezes, (Van Amersfoort Racing), who scored his best result of the season in sixth place. Felipe Guimarães, (Double R Racing), was classified eighth behind Rosenqvist and also scored his best result in the FIA Fórmula 3 European Championship to date. Jules Szymkowiak, (Van Amersfoort Racing) and Jordan King, (Carlin), rounded out the top ten after an action-packed race.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing): “My start was okay and I was third into Eau Rouge. On the long straights, I then had such a good slipstream that I was able to go into the lead. Until the safety car, everything went fine, but my car started to oversteer in the closing stages. The two final laps were really tough, but eventually, I managed to bring first place home and I am really happy”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “My start wasn’t particularly good, but at least I had a good slipstream after that. In the next laps, I was able to follow Max, but I couldn’t attack him. That changed only on the final lap: I made a move on him, but it wasn’t enough. Nevertheless, it was a nice battle for victory with Max”.

Jake Dennis, (Carlin): “Moving up from eighth on the grid to finish third doesn’t happen every day. At Spa, however, this is possible. My start was already good, but I also benefited from the collision between Esteban Ocon and Antonio Fuoco. Thus, I was fourth after one lap already. After that, I was able to pull away from the driver in fifth place until the safety car came out. Eventually, Felix Rosenqvist had problems. I took the opportunity and took over his third place. Third place is a good result”.

Photos: FIA F3 Euro Series

F3 Euro Series: Esteban Ocon vence novamente na Hungria.

Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam), concluiu o seu fim de semana de corridas nos 4,381 km de comprimento do circuito de Hungaroring com mais uma vitória. O jovem francês motorista júnior da Lotus, venceu a 12ª etapa da temporada do campeonato FIA de Fórmula 3 Euro Series e, ampliou ainda mais sua vantagem na classificação de pilotos para 82 pontos.

Na 2ª posição terminou Antonio Fuoco, o italiano que faz parte da Ferrari Academy, antes do início da temporada era apontado como um dos favoritos ao título, companheiro de equipe de Ocon, ele vem tendo boas atuações, mas ainda não ameaça a posição do francês. Já o austríaco Lucas Auer, terceiro colocado na prova, tem superado com folgas o companheiro Felix Rosenqvist, vice-campeão de 2013, que terminou apenas na 17ª posição.

Tom Blomqvist, (Jagonya Ayam com Carlin), vice-líder da temporada chegou em sexto, perdendo pontos preciosos na competição, mas a prova foi interrompida precocemente devido à chuva. A corrida: Ocon manteve a ponta na largada, ele foi seguido de perto por: Rosenqvist, Fuoco e Auer, poucas voltas depois começou a cair alguns pingos de chuva. Na 8ª volta, Rosenqvist teve que ir aos boxes para pagar um drive-through e Fuoco herdou o segundo lugar. Mais cedo, o sueco havia ultrapassado os limites de pista várias vezes, com a punição o piloto da Mücke Motorsport não teve chances na corrida.

As voltas seguintes não trouxeram muitas mudanças de posição. Tom Blomqvist ultrapassou Felix Serralles para ocupar o sexto posto. Gustavo Menezes era o oitavo quando a direção de prova enviou o safety car à pista, por causa da chuva a prova terminou ao final da volta 17. Mas antes da entrada do carro de segurança, Jakes Dennis conseguiu ultrapassar Latifi para o ocupar o nono lugar. A F3 Euro Series segue agora para a Bélgica, pois a próxima etapa do campeonato acontece entre os dias 20 e 22 de junho em Spa-Francorchamps. Abaixo o vídeo da prova 3 na Hungria:

Fotos: FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação

F3 Euro Series: Esteban Ocon vence quarta prova na temporada.

Pela quarta vez nesta temporada, o piloto Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam), venceu uma corrida do campeonato FIA de Fórmula 3 Euro Series, o triunfo foi conquistado na segunda prova do final de semana na Hungria. Antonio Fuoco, companheiro de Ocon, terminou em segundo e Lucas Auer completou o pódio. O sueco Felix Rosenqvist pressionou muito o piloto austríaco em busca do pódio, mas teve que se contentar com o 4º lugar.

Tom Blomqvist que havia vencido a prova realizada no sábado, não teve um bom ritmo de corrida e terminou em 5º. Com os resultados, Ocon ampliou sua vantagem na classificação de pilotos para 65 pontos. Partindo da pole position, o francês Esteban Ocon assumiu a liderança seguido por: Antonio Fuoco e Lucas Auer. Jake Dennis, (Carlin), fez uma excelente largada pulando do oitavo posto no grid para o 4º, mas o estreante piloto britânico recebeu um drive-through por ter queimado a largada. Depois disso, o piloto da Carlin caiu para 22º lugar.

Na frente, Ocon ampliou sua vantagem e Fuoco não conseguia fazer o mesmo, o austríaco Lucas Auer, vinha tentando de todas as formas a ultrapassagem, mas o italiano não cometeu erros que pudessem fazer ele perder a posição, mas os dois protagonizaram belas cenas no circuito de Hungaroring.

Antonio Giovinazzi, (Jagonya Ayam com Carlin) e Gustavo Menezes, (Van Amersfoort Racing), chegaram em 6º e 7º respectivamente. O porto-riquenho Felix Serralles, foi o oitavo, o canadense Nicholas Latifi o nono e o sueco John Bryant-Meisner, (Fortec Motorsports), completou o top 10. Abaixo comentários dos três primeiros colocados:

Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam): “Desta vez, fiz boa largada e consegui abrir vantagem rapidamente. Então, tentei poupar os pneus, tanto quanto eu podia e me concentrei sobre os limites de faixa para evitar uma penalidade de drive-through. Consegui ambos os aspectos. Eu também acho que é mais fácil para gerenciar seus pneus quando você está na frente”.

Antonio Fuoco, (Prema Powerteam): “Depois de quatro corridas em que eu cometi um erro de algum tipo, a corrida finalmente foi muito boa. Infelizmente, meus pneus ficaram degradados e foi impossível lutar com Ocon. Ainda assim, consegui manter Lucas atrás, apesar de acreditar que ele era mais rápido”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “Meu começo foi bom. Nas primeiras seis voltas tive alguns problemas menores, mas depois eu encontrei o meu ritmo e eu estava mais rápido do que Antonio, que estava na minha frente. No entanto, como os meus pneus degradados ao longo da corrida, eu não era capaz de ultrapassar. Eu ainda não estou olhando para campeonato de pontos, por isso não estou particularmente preocupado com a grande vantagem de Esteban. Eu estou trabalhando de uma corrida para a outra, porque eu sei que ainda há muitas coisas que podem acontecer”.

Fotos: FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação

F3 Euro Series: Esteban Ocon vence primeira prova em Pau.

Líder do campeonato até o início da etapa de Pau, na França, Esteban Ocon que corre em casa, estava ansioso para vencer diante de sua torcida e, o piloto da Prema Powerteam conquistou a pole para a corrida 1. Largando na posição de honra, ele venceu a prova disputada neste sábado (10), no tradicional circuito de rua e ampliou sua vantagem no campeonato, apesar das duas intervenções do safety car, Ocon foi incontestável em seu GP local.

Lucas Auer, recebeu a bandeira quadriculada em segundo lugar e Max Verstappen, foi o segundo melhor estreante ao completar o pódio. Para Ocon, esta foi sua terceira vitória em sete corridas disputadas na temporada 2014 da F3 Euro Series, o francês recebeu o troféu das mãos do presidente da FIA, Jean Todt. 

Enquanto Ocon abria vantagem na ponta da corrida, Auer e Verstappen brigavam pelo segundo lugar, apesar da boa atuação do holandês, o piloto austríaco com um pouco mais de experiência na categoria soube levar a melhor. Atrás dos três primeiros colocados, Jake Dennis, (Carlin), rapidamente perdeu contato e o terceiro melhor estreante na prova teve que defender sua posição de seu companheiro de equipe Jordan King. Como recompensa, Dennis garantiu o quarto lugar em sua primeira corrida de Fórmula 3 em Pau.

Em sexto lugar chegou Felix Serralles até o momento este foi o melhor resultado da equipe estreante West-Tec na categoria. Na sequência vieram: Antonio Giovinazzi, Edward Jones, Richard Goddard e Sean Gelael que completaram o top 10. Abaixo comentários dos três primeiros colocados:

Esteban Ocon, (Prema Powerteam): “Estou muito feliz por ter vencido uma corrida em casa. Minha largada não foi muito boa, mas eu ainda consegui assumir a liderança. Após as duas relargadas, mantive o primeiro lugar e tentei abrir vantagem. Depois disso, controlei a corrida até o final. Claro, a experiência que ganhei em Macau no ano passado me ajudou hoje, embora as duas provas não sejam iguais”.

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “Meu início foi bom, mas não bom o suficiente para assumir a liderança. No início da corrida, eu não estava muito rápido, de modo que Max foi capaz de me seguir. A batalha com ele foi boa, deixamos espaço suficiente um para o outro, felizmente levei a melhor”.

Max Verstappen, (Van Amersfoort Racing): “Para mim, a batalha com Lucas foi muito divertida, eu queria ultrapassá-lo, então eu tinha que tentar alguma coisa, fui por fora na curva mas não deu certo a manobra, resolvi evitar um acidente, porque o terceiro lugar também é um bom resultado e me dá pontos valiosos”.

FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação

F3 Euro Series: Lucas Auer vence em Hockenheim.

Na primeira corrida do final de semana da Fórmula 3 Euro Series disputada no circuito de Hockenheim, na Alemanha, o vencedor foi Lucas Auer, da (Mücke Motorsport), largando na pole, o austríaco conseguiu manter um ritmo forte e triunfar pela primeira vez na temporada. Edward Jonas e Jordan King pilotos da Carlin, foram segundo e terceiro respectivamente. Esteban Ocon teve um problema técnico na última volta e terminou a prova apenas em nono, mesmo assim, mantém a liderança da competição.

A corrida começou com muita ação: na primeira volta, Max Verstappen e Nicholas Latifi colidiram no hairpin e tiveram que abandonar. Apenas alguns metros depois, a seguinte colisão envolveu: Michele Beretta, (Eurointernational), Gustavo Menezes, (Van Amersfoort Racing) e Alexander Toril, (ThreeBond com a T-Sport). Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam com Carlin) também ficou fora logo na primeira volta. A direção de prova resolveu então, enviar o safety car à pista.

Auer manteve sua posição de liderança na relargada, seguido por Edward Jones e Esteban Ocon. Enquanto Auer continuava ampliando sua vantagem, Jones não conseguia abrir sobre Ocon. Jordan King, (Carlin) também se manteve perto de Jones e Ocon. Na última volta, quando o terceiro lugar do Ocon já parecia seguro, o francês teve problemas e King herdou sua posição no pódio.

Tom Blomqvist recebeu a bandeira quadriculada em quarto lugar, com os resultados, ele está a apenas três pontos do líder. Na sequência vieram: Felix Rosenqvist, Mitch Gilbert, Jake Dennis, Felix Serralles, Esteban Ocon e Richard Goddard que completaram o top 10. O brasileiro Felipe Guimarães terminou a corrida em décimo segundo. Abaixo comentários dos três primeiros colocados em Hockenheim:

Lucas Auer, (Mücke Motorsport): “Minha largada foi boa e o ritmo foi ótimo durante toda a corrida. No entanto, não foi uma corrida fácil, creio que o tempo de volta consistente foi um fator importante na prova. Estar no degrau mais alto do pódio do vencedor pela primeira vez nesta temporada é um sentimento muito bom”.

Edward Jones, (Carlin): “Eu tive um bom começo e já consegui assumir o segundo lugar na primeira curva. Lucas foi rápido demais para mim, mas consegui segurar Esteban e isso não foi fácil, porque ele estava muito rápido”.

Jordan King, (Carlin): “Minhas primeiras voltas, em particular, eram muito boas. No início, eu consegui ganhar um lugar, depois no hairpin alcancei outro adversário e pulei para quarto, depois disso, tentei poupar os pneus e com o problema técnico de Ocon ainda terminei em terceiro”.

Fotos: FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação

F3 Euro Series: Marciello conquista vitória na final em Hockenheim.

Campeão antecipado do campeonato europeu de Fórmula 3, o italiano Raffaele Marciello venceu neste domingo (20), a última etapa da temporada 2013. Na terceira prova da rodada disputada em Hockeinheim, o piloto da Prema Powerteam que largou na pole, não teve dificuldades para fechar com chave de ouro o campeonato onde dominou desde a etapa inicial. O sueco Felix Rosenqvist, vencedor de duas prova no final de semana, chegou em 2° e o austríaco Lucas Auer, completou o pódio.

Devido à forte chuva e pista muito molhada, a última corrida da temporada começou com o safety car na pista. A bandeira verde foi acionada após três voltas e Raffaele Marciello manteve a liderança seguido por: Felix Rosenqvist e Harry Tincknell. Na sexta volta o carro de segurança novamente entrou na pista, desta vez por causa de uma colisão entre o brasileiro Luis Felipe Derani e Eddie Cheever.

Harry Tincknell foi um dos muitos jovens pilotos que perderam o controle do carro e foram parar na caixa de brita, devido ao asfalto muito molhado. Seu rival direto na corrida, Lucas Auer, herdou o terceiro lugar. Tom Blomqvist também se beneficiou do problema de Tincknell e terminou em quarto. Antonio Giovinazzi foi o 6° na etapa final de sua temporada de estreia na Fórmula 3. Sven Müller, Alex Lynn, Jordan King e Michael Lewis completaram a zona de pontuação. Abaixo comentários dos três primeiros colocados:

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam)

“As condições da pista eram realmente difíceis. Nós tivemos que ter muito cuidado para não cometer erros. No entanto, eu estava confiante com o meu carro. Eu realmente queria vencer esta corrida, depois de ter selado o título de campeão por terminar em quarto lugar ontem. Encerrando a temporada com o título e a vitória na corrida final é quase perfeito”.

Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport)

“Não foi fácil. Quando eu estava atrás de Raffaele, mal conseguia ver devido ao spray de água. No meio da corrida, a chuva aumentou e pensei que a corrida seria interrompida. Tive uma boa batalha com Raffaele, mas infelizmente, eu não consegui a terceira vitória, mas estou feliz com o meu fim de semana”.

Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam)

“Eu tive uma boa batalha com Harry Tincknell durante o qual eu tentei colocá-lo sob pressão. Em seguida, ele cometeu um erro quando deslizou para a caixa de brita. Consegui me aproximar do segundo colocado, mas não o suficiente para ultrapassa-lo, estou feliz por encerrar a temporada no pódio”.

Fotos FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação 

F3 Euro Series: Felix Rosenqvist vence novamente em Hockenheim, mas o título fica com Marciello.

Embora Felix Rosenqvist também tenha vencido a segunda corrida do fim de semana da temporada em Hockenheim, na Alemanha. O sueco não conseguiu impedir a conquista do título antecipado por Raffaele Marciello, para o italiano, o quarto lugar foi o suficiente para reivindicar o título europeu de Fórmula 3. Na 29ª corrida da temporada, Alex Lynn chegou em segundo lugar e Lucas Auer completou o pódio.

O pole positon Felix Rosenqvist manteve a liderança da corrida com uma boa largada, enquanto Raffaele Marciello, que começou do segundo lugar no grid, perdeu uma posição para Alex Lynn. O italiano caiu para o terceiro posto, mais tarde ainda perdeu uma posição para o companheiro de equipe Lucas Auer, com os resultados da segunda prova, a terceira posição no campeonato ficou com o britânico Alex Lynn.

Harry Tincknell recebeu a bandeira quadriculada em quinto lugar, atrás do campeão Marciello. Sven Müller foi o mais bem colocado piloto alemão, chegando em sexto. Para conseguir isso, ele teve que bater Antonio Giovinazzi em um belo duelo. Jordan King, Dennis van de Laar e Eddie Cheever completaram o top dez. Abaixo comentários dos três primeiros colocados na etapa e do campeão Marciello:

Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport)

“Foi uma corrida estranha, porque eu realmente cometi um monte de erros, mas ainda mantive a liderança. Ganhar a corrida foi tudo o que eu poderia fazer. A partir desse ponto de vista, o fim de semana foi perfeito até agora, mas ainda assim, eu não estou feliz, porque eu queria manter a batalha pelo título aberta até amanhã. Mas, agora, quero felicitar Raffaele pela conquista do título, a sua temporada foi melhor que a minha. Vou voltar mais forte no próximo ano”.

Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam)

“Minha largada foi boa e consegui ultrapassar Raffaele sem quaisquer problemas. Então, eu tentei colocar Felix sob pressão, mas quando recebi um aviso por exceder os limites da pista, diminui o ritmo. Eu era consistente e rápido, mas Felix estava um pouco mais rápido”.

Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam)

“Meu começo foi relativamente bom e tive uma boa volta de abertura. Mais tarde, eu fiz a ultrapassagem sobre Raffaele sem problemas, porque o quarto lugar era o suficiente para ele. Assim, ele não tinha que se defender. Parabéns para ele e para o nossa equipe Prema Powerteam”.

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam)

“É inacreditável, eu sou o campeão europeu. Eu realmente não sei o que dizer. Na corrida, eu fui muito cauteloso, porque eu não queria arriscar uma penalidade. O quarto lugar foi o suficiente para selar o título. Evidentemente, gostaria de ter vencido a prova, mas o resultado final certamente não é ruim. Amanhã largarei na pole e quem sabe saio com a vitória”.

Fotos FIA F3 Euro Series - divulgação