Two Euro Series drivers on top in the rain at Spa-Francorchamps…

Carlos Sainz (Carlin) won round twelve of the FIA European Formula 3 Championship, which took place at the 6.968 kilometres long tradition-steeped track of Spa-Francorchamps today. Behind the Spaniard, Tom Blomqvist (ma-con Motorsport) crossed the finish line in the pouring rain. Felix Serralles (Fortec Motorsport) finished third. With Sainz and Blomqvist, two drivers from the Formula 3 Euro Series made it onto the first two steps of the podium.

About 20 minutes before the start of the race, rain started falling in the Belgian Ardennes. Carlos Sainz coped best with the challenging conditions. He overtook Serralles for the lead on lap three and drove a safe victory home. Serralles, on the other hand, briefly came off the track on the sixth lap and lost second place to Tom Blomqvist. Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam) also made a driver’s error on the slippery asphalt, which made him drop back from third to tenth. He eventually finished eighth overall as the fourth-best driver from the Formula 3 Euro Series.

Carlos Sainz (Carlin): “Driving in the rain suits me and I have confidence in my car. I reckon that that was the key to this victory. Initially, I was still behind Felix Serralles, but then I was able to overtake him and I was in the lead. Of course, that was a particular advantage in this heavy rain, because you have a clear view when you are in the lead.”

Tom Blomqvist (ma-con Motorsport): “At the start, I made up two places right away and I was fourth. Later on, I benefited as Felix Serralles and Daniel Juncadella made mistakes in front of me, which allowed me to move up into second place. When rain got heavier, I had a lot of understeer, but I was able to hold on to my second place.”

Michael Lewis (Prema Powerteam): “It was a great race and great fun. My car was really good and I was able to gain a few positions. The La Source corner suited me in particular, especially the overtaking manoeuvre on Jack Harvey was great. Later on, I could have overtaken Jazeman Jaafar by taking a lot of risk, but I didn’t want to put my fifth place in jeopardy.”