Guest driver Daniil Kvyat surprises with pole position…

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam) claimed two of the three pole positions for the three races of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the 4.574 kilometres long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Thus, the Italian got himself into a good position to further extend his lead in the drivers’ standings. Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam) will be starting next to him in the first race. Tom Blomqvist (Eurointernational) is second on the grid for the second race. In second qualifying, Daniil Kvyat (Carlin) came to the fore in the final second. The guest driver demoted his team-mate Jordan King (Carlin) to second. 

Starting grid for race 1
Raffaele Marciello (1:33.623 minutes) was involved in a thrilling battle for first place with Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam, 1:33.776 minutes), Sven Müller (ma-con, 1:33.974 minutes) and Alex Lynn (1:33.745 minutes). Eventually, the Italian came out on top. The protégé of the Ferrari Driver Academy and the current FIA Formula 3 European Championship points’ leader was 0.122 seconds faster than his team-mate Alex Lynn. Lucas Auer scored another success for the Prema Powerteam by finishing third. Tom Blomqvist (1:33.832 minutes), Félix Serrallés (Fortec Motorsports, 1:33.841 minutes) and Sven Müller rounded out the first six positions.

Starting grid for race 2
In the ranking for the second-fastest laps, Raffaele Marciello (1:33.685 minutes) also came out on top. The 18-year old ended up ahead of Tom Blomqvist (1:33.938 minutes), who was second. For the driver of the Red Bull Junior Team and his team Eurointernational, this is the best qualifying result to date in the 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship season. Lucas Auer (1:34.015 minutes) repeated third place from Félix Serrallés (1:34.040 minutes), Sven Müller (1:34.094 minutes) and Josh Hill (Fortec Motorsports, 1:34.214 minutes). 

Starting grid for race 3
In second qualifying, the starting grid positions for the third race were determined. Daniil Kvyat (1:33.367 minutes) only toppled Jordan King (1:33.418 minutes) fron first place in the final stages. Thus, the Russian is the first guest driver to claim a fastest qualifying time in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. With Kvyat and King, two Carlin drivers are on the front row of the grid on Sunday. After an excursion by Felix Rosenqvist (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport, 1:33.536 minutes), qualifying was interrupted for a while. Although he wasn’t able to take part anymore in the final six minutes, he kept his fourth place from Lucas Auer (1:33.486 minutes) until the end. Félix Serrallés (1:33.574 minutes) and Alex Lynn (1:33.583 minutes) followed in fifth and sixth place. 

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam)
“In first qualifying, the car was great and I am happy with my two pole positions. In the second part, however, I had some problems with my car and therefore, it didn’t go so well anymore. That is a pity, but when I win the two races in which I am starting from pole, I have scored a lot of points, too.”

Daniil Kvyat (Carlin)
“Being on pole position for my maiden Formula 3 race is really great and a special feeling. I am very happy. My lap was mega. I am especially happy that I have beaten some drivers who already have been in Formula 3 for three years. I am feeling really well and everything fits well.