F3 European Championship

MARCIELLO FORCED INTO RETIREMENT – THE SITUATION REMAINS THRILLING—

In the 26th race of the 2013 FIA Formula 3 European Championship season, Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam) prevailed to win the race followed by Alexander Sims (ThreeBond with T-Sport) and Daniil Kvyat (Carlin). Thanks to this result, Prema Powerteam secured the title as best team of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship early. Felix Rosenqvist (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), currently second in the championship, finished ninth in the race held at Vallelunga, Italy, while a technical failure forced his rival in the battle for the title, Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam), into retirement right at the start. With the second race of the weekend contested, the lead of Ferrari’s young-gun Marciello over Sweden’s Rosenqvist amounts to 28.5 points. 

Prior to the start, the single-seater of Raffaele Marciello suddenly was engulfed in smoke. The Italian who held second position on the grid, couldn’t start due to technical problems and had to retire. Meanwhile, Alex Lynn made perfect use of his pole to take the lead – followed by Alexander Sims, Daniil Kvyat and Eddie Cheever (Prema Powerteam). 

Due to an off-track experience of Jann Mardenborough (Carlin), the safety-car was sent out as early as on lap one – and once again a few laps later, when Lucas Wolf (URD Rennsport) failed to keep his Dallara on the track. After the two safety-car periods, Lynn succeeded in once again opening a gap on the field while Sims successfully fended off the attacks of his pressurising rival Kvyat. In the end, Lynn crossed the finish line with a five-second-lead over Sims, with Kvyat finishing third. Roman Eddie Cheever came fourth, in his home race, thus being pipped in the battle for the podium. Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam), Luis Felipe Derani (Fortec Motorsports), Antonio Giovinazzi (Double R Racing) and Sven Müller (Van Amersfoort Racing) secured the positions five to eight. 

Further back, Felix Rosenqvist tried hard to work his way up through the field. Due to an incident in the qualifying session, the Swede had had to settle for the last position on the grid and battled his way up to finish ninth. Meanwhile, John Bryant-Meisner (Fortec Motorsports) completed the top 10, thus delivering in fine style, on his first FIA Formula 3 European Championship weekend. 

Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam) 
“My pace was really good in this race. Other than Alexander Sims I had a fresh set of tyres and therefore, I had expected that I would be faster than him. But I hadn’t believed that I would be that much faster. In the end, it was a good race, ending with the great first place. I hope to again make it to the podium in race three, this afternoon.” 

Alexander Sims (ThreeBond with T-Sport)
“At times it was a lonely race for me. I contested the race on a used set of tyres and consequently, I wasn’t able to match the pace of Alex. Nonetheless, I think that I may be happy with my achievements as I was fourth on the grid and finished runner-up.”

Daniil Kvyat (Carlin)
“My start was okay but Alex who stood diagonally behind me virtually rocketed away. The battles with him were big fun. Altogether I’m happy to be on the podium and secure some good results, in the closing stages of the season. But in the third race, this afternoon, making it to the podium once again will be difficult. From my eighth position on the grid I will need a dose of luck to do so.”