Motorsports Mondial

Photo: F3euroseries

Nigel Melker takes victory in the first Norisring race.

Nigel Melker (Mücke Motorsport) won an action-packed 13th Formula 3 Euro Series’ round at the 2.3 kilometres long Norisring in Nuremberg, after Laurens Vanthoor (Signature) and Marco Wittmann (Signature), who had crossed the finish line ahead of the Dutchman, each were given a 30 seconds’ time penalty for a yellow-flag infringement. This made them drop back to second (Vanthoor) and third (Wittmann) place respectively. In the drivers’ standings, Roberto Merhi (Prema Powerteam) remains on top after finishing fourth from Jimmy Eriksson (Motopark).

As the race got underway on a wet track, Merhi took the lead and immediately pulled a gap, just like Wittmann in second place. When the track dried out, both turned into the pit lane to have their rain tyres replaced by slicks, which allowed Laurens Vanthoor to take first place. For a few laps, the Belgian had to defend his position from a charging Daniel Abt (Signature). With ten minutes remaining, Abt and Vanthoor collided, after which the German retired with a broken right front wheel suspension.

As Vanthoor, Wittmann and six other drivers didn’t slow down sufficiently when yellow flags were out, they were all given a 30 seconds’ time penalty. Thus, rookie driver Nigel Melker inherited victory.

Nigel Melker (Mücke Motorsport): “It was an entertaining race. Staying out with slicks in spite of the rain was the right decision, even though I wasn’t quick in the rain. I significantly slowed down when the yellow flags were out, which allowed the others to close up, but I didn’t want to risk a penalty.”

Laurens Vanthoor (Signature): “It was a crazy race. Especially during the first few laps, it was very slippery and not easy. I am really sorry that I slightly tangled with Kuba Giermaziak. Later on, during the collision with Daniel Abt, I almost spun and stalled the engine. Daniel was much too far away for an attack in that situation.”

Marco Wittmann (Signature): “We had opted for rain tyres, although slicks would have been better. On lap 21, I came in to get slicks. After the pit stop, I have everything and I still got the maximum out of it.”