Raffaele Marciello wins Nuremberg rain race

Yesterday, it was still hot, but today, the young drivers in the Formula 3 Euro Series had to cope with heavy rain in the twelfth season round. At the 2.3 kilometres long Norisring, Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam) came out on top, winning from his team-mate Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam). Guest driver Felix Serralles (Fortec Motorsport) ended up third in the race, which also counted towards the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, followed by the best-placed rookie Emil Bernstorff (ma-con Motorsport). Daniel Juncadella remains in the lead of the Formula 3 Euro Series drivers’ standings.

Due to the heavy rain, the first laps were completed behind the safety car before the race got underway on lap eight. In the first corner after the start, Raffaele Marciello took the lead. Second-placed Pascal Wehrlein (Mücke Motorsport) was turned around by William Buller (Carlin). The Brit soon was given a drive-through penalty as a result and significantly dropped back. His rival retired in the pits with suspension damage. On lap 14, the clerk of the course sent the safety car out again. Because the rain didn’t get less, the race was stopped for good on lap 22. As less than 75 percent of the planned race distance of 48 laps had been completed, only half of the regular amount of points were allocated.

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam): “My car was good, which was clearly demonstrated by the fact that Daniel and I were doing really well. Unfortunately, we only had very few laps in normal racing conditions.”

Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): “I was very optimistic going into this race, because I was the only driver in the top 20 who already had done a rain race at Norisring. Then, I had hopes of attacking Raffaele at the re-start, but after that, the race was stopped, which was the right decision in these conditions.”

Felix Serralles (Fortec Motorsport): “Driving in these conditions was very difficult. According to me, stopping the race was the right call. I am happy to be on the podium again in this strong field and in front of so many spectators.”