A PERFECT WEEKEND FOR Raffaele Marciello – 

In the third race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the 3.629 kilometres short circuit lay-out of the Nürburgring, Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam) completed his perfect weekend: the Zürich-born Italian extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 72.5 points. Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam) and Luis Felipe Derani (Fortec Motorsports) rounded out the podium after the third race. Felix Rosenqvist (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), second in the drivers’ standings, had to make do with fifth place behind Harry Tincknell (Carlin).

The race started with plenty of action: on the opening lap, several of the young drivers collided and had to retire. Among them were Jordan King (Carlin), Sven Müller (ma-con), Richard Goddard (ThreeBond with T-Sport) and Alexander Sims (ThreeBond with T-Sport). As a result, the clerk of the course sent the safety car out. After the re-start, Raffaele Marciello defended his lead, followed by Lucas Auer and Luis Felipe Derani. Auer was able to keep up with his leading team-mate for a long time while the two Prema drivers extended their gap to third-placed Derani. Towards the end of the race, Marciello also extended his margin over Auer and drove an undisputed lights-to-flag victory home. For Brazilian Derani, his third place was his second podium result of the season after he had his premiere on the podium of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship yesterday. 

Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam), Michael Lewis (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) and Mitchell Gilbert (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) rounded out the top eight in the 21st season round of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Australian Gilbert scored his first points of the year. He finished ahead of Eddie Cheever (Prema Powerteam) and Antonio Giovinazzi (Double R Racing), who were ninth and tenth respectively.

Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam) 
“My weekend really was perfect as I scored the maximum number of points. My car was very fast again. This race was the most difficult of the weekend because Lucas was very quick. Initially, I tried to save my tyres and therefore, I wasn’t able to pull a gap in the early stages. Accordingly, being on the top step of the podium again is all the more beautiful.”

Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam)
“My start was okay and I tried to attack Raffaele on the outside of the first corner. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out. Towards the end, my tyres degraded and I made a slight mistake, so that allowed Raffaele to pull a gap at the end.”

Luis Felipe Derani (Fortec Motorsports)
“It was a good race and I am happy to be on the podium again after yesterday. Before this weekend, we did a lot of work and it paid off. Now, we have to keep on pushing and working so that we can continue to challenge for podium finishes in the remainder of the season as well.”