baronrojo

Maiden pole position for Christian Vietoris

25.07.2008 - Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.259 min) secured himself his maiden pole position in the Formula 3 Euro Series. In his home event at the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring, he beat his fellow-German Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix, 1:23.541 min), who ended up second. The second row of the grid will be occupied by the two Frenchmen Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing, 1:23.593 min) and Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:23.706 min).

In the closing stages of the 30 minutes’ qualifying, the 30 drivers of the Formula 3 Euro Series showed a fascinating battle with many position changes. Finally, Christian Vietoris came out on top after setting his fastest lap time in the final minutes. He toppled erstwhile leader Nico Hülkenberg and thus prevented the test driver of the Williams Formula 1 team from claiming his fifth pole of the season.

Third place for Tom Dillmann was the best-ever qualifying result for his new team Jo Zeller Racing in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Dillmann and best-placed rookie Jules Bianchi were followed by Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport, 1:23.784 min), James Jakes (ART Grand Prix, 1:23.835 min) and Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam, 1:23.850 min). Australian Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula, 1:23.878 min), who has his first-ever Formula 3 weekend in the Eifel, shone with the eighth fastest time in qualifying.

Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport): “Finally, my first pole position in the Formula 3 Euro Series! With the first set of tyres, I made a slight mistake, but with the second set, I got a very good lap. Now, I want to win my home race tomorrow.”

Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix): “My qualifying wasn’t excellent. In qualifying, the track was different from what we had in this morning’s free practice, because there is now more rubber on the track from the other race series. In fact, my lap wasn’t too bad. Well, anyway, second place on the grid is quite okay.”

Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing): “My entire weekend has been great so far and I have been able to improve from one session to another. Now, I want to finish on the podium tomorrow.”

Air temperature: 27.0 °C
Asphalt temperature: 34.9 °C

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

Hülkenberg wins and closes up in the points’ standings

26.07.2008 - At the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring, Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) celebrated his third season win in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) and Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing) occupied second and third places. In the points’ standings, Hülkenberg and Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport), who finished fourth in the eleventh season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series, have now closed up to four points behind leader, Edoardo Mortara (Signature-Plus). The Italian already retired in the opening stages.

At the start, both pole-sitter Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport) and sixth-placed James Jakes (ART Grand Prix) stalled at their grid positions. Nico Hülkenberg led the field into the first corner, followed by his team-mate Jules Bianchi and Tom Dillmann. In this order, they took the chequered flag after 29 race laps. Behind Mäki and Dutch driver Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam), Daniel Ricciardo (SG Formula) had a great debut in the world’s strongest junior race series by finishing sixth. Vietoris and Jakes, who had dropped back in the field after their problems at the start, collided on lap seven while trying to catch up and retired.

Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix): “I am really happy with this result, nobody could stop me today. It is always nice when you feel all the pressure flowing away when you cross the finish line. Once again, the good qualifying, in which I was second, was the basis for this success.”

Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “After a critical start, it went well for me in the race, although not much happened for me after the start. I am very happy being back in fifth place in the championship. In my first year of Formula 3, good results are just very important.“

Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing): “For me, this third place is a great comeback in the Formula 3 Euro Series. So far, the entire weekend has been going very well, from the very first lap in Thursday’s pre-event test onwards. It really can go on like this.”

Air temperature: 27.2 °C
Asphalt temperature: 43.1 °C

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baronrojo

Nurburgring - Gara 1
Hulkenberg domina, Mortara KO

Otto gare splendide, tre tutte da buttare. L'estate non sembra portare bene ad Edoardo Mortara che dopo le due disgraziate corse di Zandvoort ora deve annoverare un altro colpo da KO. Nella prima gara del Nurburgring, dominata fin dal via da Nico Hulkenberg, Mortara (già male in qualifica) si è ritirato dopo appena un giro per un contatto che ha danneggiato la sua vettura e coinvolto Erik Janis e Dani Clos. Edoardo rimane in testa al campionato grazie alla preziosa prima parte di campionato, ma Hulkenberg si avvicina minaccioso al pari di Mika Maki e Renger Van der Zande.

Hulkenberg, secondo in qualifica, si è trovato pista libera davanti quando Christian Vietoris (poleman) ha clamorosamente steccato la partenza venendo fortunatamente evitato dalle altre 29 monoposto. Vietoris si è poi ritirato quando era nelle retrovie. Anche James Jakes si è piantato la via. Hulkenberg ha forse disputato una delle gare più facili della sua carriera controllando agevolmente il compagno di squadra Jules Bianchi e l'incredibile Tom Dillmann. Il francesino, scaricato dalla Red Bull e dalla SG e costretto a saltare due prove, è addirittura salito sul podio nella gara del rientro e col team Zeller. Notevole.

Hanno pensato ad accumulare punti per il campionato Maki e Van der Zande, rispettivamente quarto e quinto con le Dallara dei team Mucke e Prema. Splendido Daniel Ricciardo che alla sua prima gara della vita in F.3 ha piazzato uno stordente sesto posto col team SG. Un brutto colpo per i suoi occasionali compagni di squadra Yann Clairay e Henki Waldschmidt... A punti anche Jon Lancaster che ha controllato Niall Breen e Stefano Coletti, buon nono. Sono mancati i motori Volkswagen. Con Mortara che non ha più il tocco magico, al Nurburgring è stato buio completo. Il primo è risultato Robert Wickens (bene in qualifica), solo dodicesimo. Il primo dei piloti RC è stato Jens Klingmann, sedicesimo. L'atteso Brendon Hartley si è ritirato per misfire.

L'ordine di arrivo di gara 1, sabato 26 luglio 2008

1 - Nico Hulkenberg (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 29 giri 41'11"039
2 - Jules Bianchi (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 6"748
3 - Tom Dillmann (Dallara-Mercedes) - Zeller - 9"047
4 - Mika Maki (Dallara-Mercedes) - Mucke - 9"878
5 - Renger Van der Zande (Dallara-Mercedes) - Prema - 17"767
6 - Daniel Ricciardo (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 23"337
7 - Jon Lancaster (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 27"771
8 - Niall Breen (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 29"040
9 - Stefano Coletti (Dallara-Mercedes) - Prema - 33"458
10 - Richard Philippe (Dallara-Mercedes) - Carlin - 33"526
11 - Kazuya Oshima (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 34"041
12 - Robert Wickens (Dallara-Volkswagen - Signature 40"689
13 - Jean Karl Vernay (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 43"802
14 - Yann Clairay (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 44"853
15 - Henki Waldschmidt (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 47"053
16 - Jens Klingmann (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 48"306
17 - Martin Plowman (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 54"669
18 - Franck Mailleux (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 55"311
19 - Basil Shaaban (Dallara-Mercedes) - HBR - 1'11"060
20 - Daniel Campos (Dallara-Mercedes) - HBR - 1'15"034
21 - Rodolfo Gonzalez (Dallara-Mercedes) - Carlin - 1 lap
22 - Sam Bird (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 1 lap
23 - Cong Fu Cheng (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 1 lap

Giro più veloce: Nico Hulkenberg 1'24"296

Ritirati
Lap 26 - James Jakes
Lap 17 - Kodai Tsukakoshi
Lap 8 - Christian Vietoris
Lap 5 - Brendon Hartley
Lap 1 - Erik Janis
Lap 1 - Edoardo Mortara
Lap 1 - Dani Clos

Il campionato
1.Mortara 40;
2.Maki, Hulkenberg 36;
4.Van der Zande 31;
5.Bianchi 25;
6.Vietoris 21;
7.Mailleux, Clairay 19;
9.Vernay 18;
10.Tsukakoshi 16;
11.Lancaster 12;
12.Jakes 11;
13.Kimball, Bird, Clos 8;
16.Wickens 6,5;
17.Dillmann 6;
18.Gotz, Breen 3;
20.Klein 2;
21.Janis 1;
22.Coletti 0,5.

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baronrojo

Bueno haber si enmendamos el campeonato y mañana hace hulkenberg un buen papel animo y a por ellos!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

Livetiming | Nürburgring | race 2
Pos. Nr. Fahrer Team Laps Diff. Gap

1. 25 Lancaster/GBR ART Grand Prix28 40:40.779 40:40.779
2. 6 Breen/IRL Manor Motorsport28 40:41.502 00.723
3. 24 Bianchi/FRA ART Grand Prix28 40:42.787 02.008
4. 1 Hülkenberg/GER ART Grand Prix28 40:43.415 02.636
5. 19 Dillmann/FRA Jo Zeller Racing28 40:44.293 03.514
6. 34 Clairay/FRA SG Formula28 40:47.961 07.182
7. 30 Vernay/FRA Signature-Plus28 40:50.072 09.293
8. 15 Campos-Hull/SPA HBR Motorsport28 40:54.309 13.530
9. 8 Mailleux/FRA Signature-Plus28 40:56.120 15.341
10. 32 Klingmann/GER RC Motorsport28 40:58.886 18.107
11. 28 Tsukakoshi/JPN Manor Motorsport28 40:59.743 18.964
12. 4 Janis/CZE Mücke Motorsport28 41:00.754 19.975
13. 33 Cheng/CHN RC Motorsport28 41:03.385 22.606
14. 41 Hartley/NZL RC Motorsport28 41:04.800 24.021
15. 40 Ricciardo/AUS SG Formula28 41:05.400 24.621
16. 35 Wickens/CAN Signature-Plus28 41:05.828 25.049
17. 20 Waldschmidt/NED SG Formula28 41:06.172 25.393
18. 21 Philippe/FRA Carlin Motorsport28 41:06.863 26.084
19. 5 Bird/GBR Manor Motorsport28 41:07.612 26.833
20. 29 Oshima/JPN Manor Motorsport28 41:11.965 31.186
21. 18 Plowman/GBR RC Motorsport28 41:20.397 39.618
22. 2 Jakes/GBR ART Grand Prix28 41:28.301 47.522
23. 7 Mortara/ITA Signature-Plus28 41:36.211 55.432
24. 27 Shaaban/LIB HBR Motorsport26 40:21.541 2 laps
25. 22 Gonzalez/VEN Carlin Motorsport26 41:39.918 2 laps
26. 31 Coletti/MON Prema Powerteam20 30:11.327 8 laps
27. 23 Clos/ESP Prema Powerteam20 30:12.846 8 laps
28. 3 Vietoris/GER Mücke Motorsport17 25:13.090 11 laps
29. 9 v. d. Zande/NED Prema Powerteam14 21:12.273 14 laps
0. 26 Mäki/FIN Mücke Motorsport 00.000 28 lapsL
legende:
In der Box / in pit Auf der Strecke / on track
Stand: 11:37:41 - 27.07.2008

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baronrojo

Aun solo punto de igualar a mortara esto se esta poniendo bien y eso que parecia chunguillo para el joven piloto germano.
Veremos que pasa en la proxima cita en brandshatch despues del master de zandvoort............

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

Clasificación provisional F3Euroseries


1º. Edoardo Mortara (Signature Plus) 40 puntos
2º. Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) 39 puntos
3º. Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport) 36 puntos
4º. Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam) 31 puntos
5º. Jules Bianchi (Mücke Motorsport) 29 puntos
6º. Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport) 21 puntos
7º. Yann Clairay (SG Formula) 20 puntos
8º. Jon Lancaster (ART Grand Prix) 19 puntos
9º. Franck Mailleux (Signature Plus) 19 puntos
10º. Jean Karl Vernay (Signature Plus) 18,5 puntos *
11º. Koudai Tsukakoshi (Manor Motorsport) 16 puntos
12º. James Jakes (ART Grand Prix) 11 puntos
13º. Niall Breen (Manor Motorsport) 9 puntos
14º. Dani Clos (Prema Powerteam) 8 puntos
15º. Charlie Kimball (Prema Powerteam) 8 puntos
16º. Tom Dillmann (SG Formula) 8 puntos
17º. Sam Bird (Manor Motorsport) 8 puntos
18º. Robert Wickens (Signature Plus) 6,5 puntos *
19º. Maximilian Götz (RC Motorsport) 3 puntos
20º. Michael Klein () 2 puntos
21º. Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam) 1,5 puntos *
22º. Erik Janis (Mücke Motorsport) 1 punto
* La otorgación de medio punto se debe a la segunda carrera de Norisring, en la que debido a un masivo accidente se completó menos de la mitad de la carrera.

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baronrojo

Nurburgring - Gara 2
Podio di rookie, Lancaster primo

Jon Lancaster, Niall Breen, Jules Bianchi. Un podio decisamente inedito per la F.3 Euro Series al Nurburgring al termine di gara 2. Tre debuttanti nella serie europea, di cui due rookie assoluti per la F.3: Lancaster e Bianchi in arrivo dalla F.Renault, con Breen che nel 2007 ha invece corso nella F.3 inglese. E' la prima vittoria per Lancaster, che settimo in gara 1, ha capitalizzato al meglio la griglia di partenza invertita scattando meglio di Breen (ottavo ieri) impossessandosi del primo posto già alla prima staccata.

La corsa è praticamente finita in quel momento per quanto riguarda le prime tre posizioni, con Bianchi terzo. Chi invece ha mosso la classifica è stato Nico Hulkenberg. Ottavo sullo schieramento, il vincitore di gara 1 ha recuperato fino al quarto posto finale superando Kazuya Oshima al 4° giro, Stefano Coletti al 19° e infine Tom Dillmann quando questi ha impostato male l'ultima curva. Ora Hulkenberg è a un solo punto di distacco da Edoardo Mortara. L'italiano rimane leader, ma esce dal Nurburgring con zero punti conquistati, come a Zandvoort. In gara 2, Mortara è stato tamponato da Dani Clos. Hanno fallito un'occasione importante per recuperare punti su Mortara Mika Maki, che al via ha colpito Daniel Ricciardo (rimasto fermo), e Renger Van der Zande, che ha imitato Ricciardo non partendo poi si è ritirato.

L'ordine di arrivo di gara 2, domenica 27 luglio 2008

1 - Jon Lancaster (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 40'44"779
2 - Niall Breen (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 0"723
3 - Jules Bianchi (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 2"008
4 - Nico Hulkenberg (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 2"636
5 - Tom Dillmann (Dallara-Mercedes) - Zeller - 3"514
6 - Yann Clairay (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 7"182
7 - Jean Karl Vernay (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 9"293
8 - Daniel Campos (Dallara-Mercedes) - HBR - 13"530
9 - Franck Mailleux (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 15"341
10 - Jens Klingmann (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 18"107
11 - Kodai Tsukakoshi (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 18"964
12 - Erik Janis (Dallara-Mercedes) - Mucke - 19"975
13 - Cong Fu Cheng (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 22"606
14 - Brendon Hartley (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 24"021
15 - Daniel Ricciardo (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 24"621
16 - Robert Wickens (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 25"049
17 - Henki Waldschmidt (Dallara-Mercedes) - SG - 25"393
18 - Richard Philippe (Dallara-Mercedes) - Carlin - 26"084
19 - Sam Bird (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 26"833
20 - Kazuya Oshima (Dallara-Mercedes) - Manor - 31"186
21 - Martin Plowman (Dallara-Volkswagen) - RC - 39"618
22 - James Jakes (Dallara-Mercedes) - ART - 47"522
23 - Edoardo Mortara (Dallara-Volkswagen) - Signature - 55"432

Ritirati
Lap 0 - Mika Maki
Lap 14 - Renger Van der Zande
Lap 17 - Christian Vietoris
Lap 20 - Dani Clos
Lap 20 - Stefano Coletti
Lap 26 - Rodolfo Gonzalez
Lap 26 - Basil Shaaban

Il campionato
1.Mortara 40; 2.Hulkenberg 39; 3.Maki 36; 4.Van der Zande 31; 5.Bianchi 29; 6.Vietoris 21; 7.Clairay 20; 8.Mailleux 19; 9.Vernay, Lancaster 18; 11.Tsukakoshi 16; 12.Jakes 11; 13.Kimball, Bird, Clos, Breen, Dillmann 8; 16.Wickens 6,5; 17.Dillmann 6; 18.Gotz 3; 20.Klein 2; 21.Janis 1; 22.Coletti 0,5.

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baronrojo

Jon Lancaster wins from Niall Breen - Hülkenberg closing up

27.07.2008 - At the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring short circuit, 19-year old Brit Jon Lancaster (ART Grand Prix) scored his maiden race win in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Second place after 28 laps was occupied by Niall Breen (Manor Motorsport). For the 22-year old Irishman, it was his best-ever result in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) finished third from Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix). By finishing fourth, 20-year old Hülkenberg closed up to one point behind points’ leader Edoardo Mortara (Signature-Plus), who failed to score any points in the Eifel.

As the winner of the race on Saturday, Hülkenberg starteted from eighth on the grid. He gradually made his way up through the field. On lap 19, he overtook Monegasque Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam), six laps later, he dealt with Frenchman Tom Dillmann (Jo Zeller Racing). The test driver of the Williams Formula 1 team didn’t find a way past his team-mate Jules Bianchi and thus, he finished fourth.
The final point went to Yann Clairay (Signature-Plus), who finished sixth behind his fellow-Frenchman Dillmann in the twelfth round of the season.

Jon Lancaster (ART Grand Prix): “Fantastic! Having scored my maiden win in the Formula 3 Euro Series is a great feeling! I have been fast here around the Nürburgring all weekend, but I have been working hard for this success together with my team during the past weeks.”

Niall Breen (Manor Motorsport): “I am happy with second place, although I would have liked to win this one. On the first few laps, I tried to attack, but overtaking is very difficult here. I had a gap over the guys behind me, so I safely drove second place home.“

Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “That was a good race. I was already third in the first corner and I managed to defend this position throughout the race. I have come here to score some points and so I did.”

Air temperature: 26.6 °C
Asphalt temperature: 40. °C

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baronrojo

Nürburgring: 3rd victory for Hülkenberg



Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) celebrated his third victory of the formula-3 euroseries season 2008 at the Nürburgring.

With good weather conditions the youngster from Emmerich started from the second place into the race on Saturday. In the first corner Hülkenberg already took the lead and after that he controlled the race without any problems.
Accordingly satisfied the 20-years old said: “I am very happy. After the good qualifying there was no one who could stop me in today’s race.”
In the overall ranking Nico Hülkenberg (36 points) is placed in third position just four points behind the current leader Edoardo Mortara (40 points).
For the result (PDF) please click here>> Nürburgring_race_1











Nürburgring: Nico Hülkenberg closing up






Last weekend Nico Hülkenberg closed up to one point behind points’ leader Edoardo Mortara. After the German won the race on Saturday he could finish the race on Sunday in fourth place.

At the 3.629 kilometres long Nürburgring, Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) celebrated his third season win in the Formula 3 EuroSeries. In the race on Saturday Nico Hülkenberg led the field into the first corner, followed by his team-mate Jules Bianchi and Tom Dillmann. In this order, they took the chequered flag after 29 race laps.
Afterwards a satisfied Nico Hülkenberg said: “I am really happy with this result, nobody could stop me today. It is always nice when you feel all the pressure flowing away when you cross the finish line. Once again, the good qualifying, in which I was second, was the basis for this success.”
By finishing fourth on Sunday, 20-year old Hülkenberg closed up to one point behind points’ leader Edoardo Mortara, who failed to score any points in the Eifel.
In five weeks, from 29th of August to 31st of August, the next races of the Formula-3 EuroSeries will start in Brands Hatch (GB). At the 10th of August Hülkenberg will start at the Masters of Formula-3 in Zolder (Belgium). Last year he could win the race including the best pilots from all European Formula-3 series.
For the result (PDF) please click here >> Nürburgring_race_1
For the result (PDF) please click here >> Nürburgring_race_2

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baronrojo

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baronrojo

Circuit Zolder










Past winners

2007: Nico Hülkenberg (Dallara-Mercedes) |
2006: Paul di Resta (Dallara 305 Mercedes) |
2005: Lewis (Dallara 305 Mercedes) |
2004: Bruno Spengler (Dallara 302 Mercedes) |
2003: Fabio Carbone (Dallara 302 Renault) |

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baronrojo

Veremos que tal se le da al vigente campeon del master de zolder este fin de...............

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baronrojo

Gli iscritti del Masters F.3 - Martin Plowman con Signature

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baronrojo

Timeschedule RTL GP Masters of Formula 3
08 - 10 August 2008

Friday 08 August
13.05 - 14.05 F3 testing

15.15 - 16.45 F3 testing



Saturday 09 August
09.45 - 10.15 F3 odd timed qualifying 1
10.25 - 10.55 F3 even timed qualifying 1
13.45 - 14.15 F3 group B timed qualifying 2
14.30 - 15.00 F3 group A timed qualifying 2


Sunday 05 August
14.30 - 15.30 Masters of Formula 3 race 11, 28 laps

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baronrojo

Nico Hülkenberg wants to repeat his Masters of Formula 3 triumph

06.08.2008 - This weekend, Zolder, the former Belgian GP venue, is going to stage the 2008 RTL GP Masters of Formula 3. In the prestigious Formula 3 meeting at the 3.977-kilometre circuit, the 37 best Formula 3 drivers racing in different European series are going to battle it out with one another. Among the drivers that succeeded in winning the event in the past were - inter alia - the likes of David Coulthard (1991) or Lewis Hamilton (2005).

It’s just the second time in the event’s history that a driver is trying to defend his title: Germany’s Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix) won the event last year at Zolder and also will be on the grid of this year’s edition. With 12 races contested, Hülkenberg currently holds second position in the Formula 3 Euro Series, just one point behind championship leader Edoardo Mortara (Signature-Plus). 26 of the Formula 3 Euro Series drivers are going to also compete in the RTL GP Masters of Formula 3. The only Euro Series squad doing without contesting the event held in Belgium is Team RC Motorsport.

Since the creation of the Formula 3 Euro Series, in 2003, each edition of the Masters of Formula 3 was won by a driver racing in this series - a proof for the high level of competitiveness on the grid of this series. Christian Klien claimed victory in 2003 and in the following years, ASM drivers Alexandre Prémat, Lewis Hamilton, Paul di Resta and Nico Hülkenberg followed his footsteps.

Nico Hülkenberg (ART Grand Prix): “I’m looking forward tom the Masters and to racing at Zolder. It’s one of these ‘old-school’ circuits where racing is particularly big fun. My motto for the coming weekend is clear: Maximum attack. I absolutely want to win the race a second time.”

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baronrojo

Los mejores pilotos de F3 frente a frente en Zolder
jueves, 07 agosto 2008


Hace 18 años que el Masters de F3, inicialmente denominado Marlboro Masters F3, es considerado como el campeonato del mundo oficioso de la Fórmula 3, la más clásica y veterana de las categorías de evolución de monoplazas hacia la F1. Durante 18 años, el Masters de F3, que históricamente se disputa en Zandvoort o Zolder, ha sido el campo de batalla, A UNA SOLA PRUEBA, donde se han medido los mejores pilotos de los distintos campeonatos de F3 del Mundo.

Aunque ciertamente, el Masters de F3 recoge, como un choque de trenes, el enfrentamiento hegemónico de los dos grandes campeonatos internacionales de F3: el British F3 International y la F3 Euroseries. Hay que señalar que todos los pilotos de F1 con menos de 26 años han participado alguna vez en el Masters de F3. También hay que destacar que los cinco mejores pilotos de la GP2 y los cinco mejores de las World Series by Renault, han estado presentes también en el Masters de F3. Así pues, se considera imprescindible en la formación de un piloto internacional de monoplazas haber participado alguna vez en el Masters de F3. El 25% de los inscritos son pilotos menores de 21 años protegidos por equipos de Fórmula 1. No habrá cuartel, No se hacen prisioneros. -37 pilotos inscritos, 17 nacionalidades, los mejores equipos del mundo de F3 y una sola final.

Una carrera de una hora: 28 vueltas. El 25% de estos inscritos son pilotos protegidos por los equipos de Fórmula 1. Concretamente nueve: 5 de Red Bull (Alguerusari, Maki, Ricciardo, Hartley, Vernay) 1 de Williams (Hülkenberg), 1 de Toyota (Waldschmidt) y 1 de Todt-Ferrari (Bianchi). Es decir, la elite de los pilotos que no pagan por correr, pero que a su vez están sometidos a la más cruel de las presiones donde una falta de rendimiento continuada en su nivel de expectativas significa el despido inmediato. La lucha está servida, los 29 pilotos restantes tan sólo tienen un objetivo, que va más allá de ganar o no la carrera: Superar a cualquiera de estos ocho pilotos de elite.
El Masters de F3 se disputará este fin de semana con los neumáticos de la marca surcoreana Kumho, los mismos que utiliza la F3 Euroseries como neumático oficial. Los cual perjudica claramente a los 12 pilotos provenientes de la F3 británica, donde utilizan neumáticos de la marca Avon con características diferentes. SÓLO CUATRO ESPAÑOLES: Alguersuari, Clos, Campos-Hull y Merhi Sólo cuatro pilotos españoles estarán presentes este fin de semana en Zolder: dos de ellos; Dani Clos (19 años) y Daniel Campos-Hull (19 años) provenientes de la F3 Euroseries; y Jaime Alguersuari (18 años) proveniente del British F3 International y Roberto Merhi (17 años: el piloto más joven junto con su compañero de equipo Max Chilton) que proviene de la F-Renault 2.0 Eurocup. Estos cuatro pilotos españoles, junto con Miguel Molina, pueden ser considerados como los cinco pilotos nacionales de menos de 20 años con mayor proyección internacional.

Desde los 15 años, el piloto español de Barcelona ha batido todos los records de precocidad. Junto con Sebastian Buemi y Brendon Hartley, son los únicos pilotos del Red Bull Junior Team que llevan más de tres años en el programa. Su temporada 2008, coincidiendo con sus 18 años y cinco meses, está siendo la más espectacular de su vida deportiva. Debutante en la F3 Británica, es líder tras 16 carreras (8 meetings) con 8 podiums, 2 victorias, 5 pole position y 4 vueltas rápidas. Pero además es quinto en el campeonato de España de F3 a 9 puntos del líder habiendo disputado tan sólo cuatro de las ocho carreras disputadas, al coincidir en el calendario con carreras del certamen británico.
También es debutante en la F3 española y tiene el mejor porcentaje de los participantes: 4 carreras, 2 victorias, 1 Pole Position, 2 vueltas rápidas. Además, suma una quinta y una cuarta posición conseguidas en las carreras con parrilla invertida. Jaime afronta por primera vez el Masters de F3 este fin de semana en Zolder y tiene en su contra algunas circunstancias: Los neumáticos y la longitud de la carrera, el doble que en la F3 británica. En cualquier caso, este gran desafío puede producirle deportivamente mayor beneficio, si es capaz de superar sus expectativas, teniendo en cuenta que históricamente siempre ganan el Masters los pilotos de la F3 Euroseries.

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