1-2 for Signature: Franck Mailleux ahead of Jean-Karl Vernay
31.08.2008 - Franck Mailleux (Signature-Plus) had to wait until the 14th season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series before he could celebrate his first win of the year. At the 1.929 kilometres long circuit of Brands Hatch, the Frenchman won ahead of his compatriot Jean-Karl Vernay (Signature-Plus) and Dutchman Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam). Points’ leader Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) finished fifth behind Edoardo Mortara (Signature-Plus). His margin over Italian Mortara, who is second in the points’ standings, was reduced by one point to 13 points.
The start was the decisive moment of the race. Mailleux, who had started second, overtook pole-sitter Vernay and retained the lead until the chequered flag was out. Van der Zande and Mortara also conquered their positions at the start already and didn’t lose them throughout the 48 laps of the race. Hülkenberg, on the other hand, had a successful overtaking manoeuvre as he went past Yann Clairay (SG Formula) when the latter locked up under braking. The Frenchman still drove sixth place home, scoring the final championship point for finishing ahead of the best-placed rookie Henkie Waldschmidt (SG Formula).
Franck Mailleux (Signature-Plus): “I knew that one can hardly overtake here, so I was focussed on the start. I absolutely wanted to get that right and make it through out of the first corner ahead of Jean-Karl Vernay, which I actually did. In the first laps, I tried to extend the gap over Jean-Karl. After that, I safely drove victory home.“
Jean-Karl Vernay (Signature-Plus): “I have a huge blister on my left hand, so I am happy that I have finished on the podium in the first place. Franck Mailleux had a better start and as he didn’t make a mistake in the race, my chances of victory were gone. My race was good, but unfortunately, the start wasn’t.“
Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam): Basically, after the start, my race was already run. I could close the gap to Jean-Karl Vernay, but whenever I was close behind him, I lost downforce and my car started sliding. Third place is a good result and even more so as I am now third in the points’ standings again.”
Air temperature:</B> 21.6 °C
Asphalt temperature:</B> 23.9 °C