Motorsports Mondial
Photo: F3euroseries
Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam) scored his second victory of the weekend at the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. At the start of the sixth season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series, also the second round of the new FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, he took the lead and went on to win with a margin of 5.114 seconds from Marco Wittmann (Signature). With Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport) in third place, three drivers from as many different teams made it onto the podium. Merhi extended his points’ lead with his second race win of the weekend. He is now 19 points clear of his compatriot Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam), who finished fourth.
Roberto Merhi was the man to beat at Hockenheim. The Spaniard won the first race on Saturday and was also the fastest driver in the field in the third encounter. His third victory of the 2011 season was never in jeopardy. Behind him, Marco Wittmann had to fight against Felix Rosenqvist to defend his second place in the closing stages. He eventually finished 0.497 seconds ahead of the Swede.
In the newly founded FIA Formula 3 International Trophy, Roberto Merhi is leading after two races with a margin of 30 points over Daniel Juncadella. Daniel Abt (Signature) is third, tied on points with Juncadella.
Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam): “Everything was perfect. My start was good, I was able to pull a gap right away and I could finish the race without having to push it to the limit. Thus, I could save the tyres during the race.”
Marco Wittmann (Signature): “I am not happy, because we weren’t as good as we were in the first race on Saturday. Now, we have to analyse the race in order to close the gap to the front runners.”
Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport): “I am happy with third place. Too bad that the race is only 40 minutes long. Had it been 45 minutes, I would have ended up second. My strategy was being quick towards the end of the race, while Marco Wittmann in front of me was better in the opening stages.”