Photo: f3euroseries
Third Hockenheim success for Prema Powerteam
In the third race of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, that counts towards the newly-founded FIA Formula 3 European Championship, just like the first race, a Prema Powerteam driver claimed victory. Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam) crossed the finish line in first place, followed by Carlos Sainz (Carlin) and Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport). After the first Formula 3 Euro Series race weekend, that was also attended by FIA president Jean Todt as a guest, Juncadella is first in the drivers’ standings.
Carlos Sainz wasn’t able to convert his pole position into the race lead, he had to let Daniel Juncadella and Felix Rosenqvist pull away. Once in the lead, the Prema driver immediately pulled clear from the rest of the field while Sainz initially had to make his way past Rosenqvist, who was second after the start. After that, Juncadella’s lead was already too big for Sainz to jeopardize the second victory of the weekend for his compatriot.
Guest driver Alex Lynn (Fortec Motorsport) claimed fourth place ahead of the best-placed rookie Sven Müller (Prema Powerteam) and William Buller (Carlin).
Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): “Apart from the second race, the weekend could hardly have been better, I am really happy. I was particularly quick in the early stage of the race and I was able to pull a nice gap over Carlos. Eventually, I had some problems with traction and Carlos closed up again.”
Carlos Sainz (Carlin): “Generally, I hadn’t expected that we would be this good over here, because compared to most of the other teams, we don’t have a lot of experience with the Hankook tyres. Unfortunately, I had problems at the start again. Now, we have to investigate what the reason for that was.”
Felix Rosenqvist (Mücke Motorsport): “Like all weekend, I wasn’t able to match the pace that Daniel and Carlos had. Third place was the maximum for me. In spite of the problems, I was on the podium in all the races and I have scored many points. Given these circumstances, I can be happy with that.