Daniel Juncadella victorious in Masters of Formula 3-
In front of 26,500 spectators at Zandvoort, Spaniard Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam) scored one of his biggest achievements in motorsport to date: having already won last year’s Macau Grand Prix, the current points’ leader in the Formula 3 Euro Series now claimed victory in the ’RTL GP Masters of Formula 3’. After 25 laps at the 4.307 kilometres long Circuit Park Zandvoort, he crossed the finish line 7.594 seconds ahead of Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam). Thus, the winning streak of the Formula 3 Euro Series in the Masters of Formula 3 continues: since the Euro Series was established in 2003, only Euro Series drivers won Europe’s most important Formula 3 race.
Daniel Juncadella took the lead at the start and defended his position on the first few laps against Raffaele Marciello. After that, he pulled clear from the rest of the field with a couple of fastest race laps in a row and then drove an undisputed victory home. Behind him, Raffaele Marciello finished an equally undisputed second while Carlos Sainz (Carlin) tried everything to claim third place from Hannes van Asseldonk (Fortec). However, the Spaniard didn’t succeed and finished fourth. In total, eight drivers from the Formula 3 Euro Series were classified in the top ten, once again underlining the high level of the Euro Series.
Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): “I am really delighted to have won Europe’s most important Formula 3 race, too. I knew that the start would be decisive and I did very well. After that, I just concentrated on avoiding any mistakes. I dedicate this victory to Spanish Formula 1 test driver Maria de Villota, who has had a serious accident and is still in hospital.”
Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam): “Bearing in mind that this was my first time racing at Zandvoort and with Kumho tyres, I am happy with my second place. Daniel was simply quicker.”
Carlos Sainz (Carlin): “I started from the dirty side of the track and that was not a good beginning. I didn’t expect the attack by Hannes van Asseldonk on the second lap. After that, I tried everything to overtake him again, but it didn’t work out. He did a good job, congratulations to him.”