Rookie Jules Bianchi wins Masters of Formula 3
10.08.2008 - Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) is the winner of Europe’s most important Formula 3 race. After 28 laps, defending titlist Nico Hülkenberg took the chequered flag in second place. The podium was completed by Jon Lancaster (ART Grand Prix), who came home third in the RTL GP Masters of Formula 3 at the 4.011 kilometres long circuit of Zolder. Thus, the podium was locked out by drivers from the Formula 3 Euro Series. There were seven drivers from the strongest junior race series in the top ten.
The 18th edition of the Masters of Formula 3 was started at a wet track, although rain had stopped. Jules Bianchi had the best start, getting in front of Nico Hülkenberg right away. On the first few metres, there was a collision between Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam) and Koudai Tsukakoshi (Manor Motorsport), both having started from the second row. In the process, van der Zande hit the right rear wheel of Hülkenberg’s car, but the German was able to continue without any problems.
In spite of the difficult conditions, Bianchi and Hülkenberg made no mistakes and dominated the race that saw many drivers spin off the track.
Since the Formula 3 Euro Series was founded in 2003, the prestigious Masters of Formula 3 race was won by a driver from the Euro Series every year. For the ART Grand Prix team, Bianchi’s victory was the fifth Masters win in a row.
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “I had a very good start and tried to pull a gap on Nico Hülkenberg. Especially in the beginning, there were many yellow flags and Nico was very quick. Therefore, I couldn’t pull away. Towards the end of the race, my tyres weren’t in the best condition anymore and I concentrated on driving victory home.”
Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix): “My start wasn’t great as my tyres didn’t get any grip on the white line. On the first laps of the race, I was still confident. However, there were many yellow flags, which made it impossible to attack. The longer it took, the more difficult it became to put Jules under pressure, as my tyres lost grip.”
Jon Lancaster (ART Grand Prix): “My start was nearly perfect. I could move up from seventh on the grid into third right away. All in all, I am happy with the weekend and I am happy that my team ART has a clean sweep of the podium.”