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Welcome to F3.GPWorld-Online.com
All news and standings of the 2008 season you can find here.
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 This weekend, the 2009 ATS Formula 3 Cup season will cross the finish line. On 17th and 18th October, the Motorsportarena Oschersleben will be the venue of this year’s final two rounds of the fastest German single-seater series. And in the 17th and 18th rounds it’s not only about the rookie title and the third championship position. At the same time, the drivers also will be battling it out for prestige and the prize money. After all, the reward for the ‘ZF - auto motor und sport - Juniorpokal’ alone amounts to €10,000.
Dutchman Stef Dusseldorp will travel to Eastern Germany in a very confident mood as he needs just a single point to finish the season as best Formula 3 newcomer. To date, Dusseldorp has scored a total of 131 points with his Team Van Amersfoort Racing entered Dallara Volkswagen - while second-placed Markus Pommer (Dallara Mercedes) who races for Zettl Sportsline has got 112 points on his tally. So, the task the German would have to accomplish to win the title is virtually insolvable. He must win both races, with his Dutch rival failing to score a single point. Even drawing for points wouldn’t be enough for the German as Dusseldorp has got clearly more race wins under his belt.
Meanwhile, there still are several drivers who may hope for finishing third in the championship: Rafael Suzuki, Nico Monien and Markus Pommer. The Brazilian leader with the Japanese name has scored 65 points, to date, with the two Germans Monien (56) and Pommer (53) holding second and third position respectively. “Everything is possible,” says Pommer. “But despite knowing that finishing third in the Cup would be important, securing my maiden Formula 3 win on the final race weekend would mean more to me.” Nonetheless, Rafael Suzuki who also hasn’t secured a race win, this year, demonstrates that scoring points regularly also can be rewarding.
At the same time, Tom Dillmann is leaping up to the front. In the previous two events, the experienced Frenchman who races a Dallara Mercedes entered by Team Neuhauser Racing secured two race wins, two poles - and set two fastest race laps. “These achievements underline the potential of our team,” says Team Principal Knut Rieser. “By signing Tom we signed one of the best Formula 3 drivers currently active in the sport.”
HS Technik Motorsport opts for a similar strategy, for the season finale. Team Principal Michael Hascic once again relies on the proven drivers Harald Schlegelmilch and Joey Foster who scored a lot of valuable points for the Austrian squad in 1996.
At the end of the day, everybody will try to give their very best in the season finale to position themselves for 2010 - both teams and drivers. Good results in the final two races of the season will be remembered far longer than just a fortnight - the memory will last throughout the off-season. So, it’s not only about prestige and prize money but also about the future. |
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Champion: Jules Bianchi in a brief portrait |
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 He started the season as the top favourite and lived up to the expectations. With two races remaining, 20-year old Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) already claimed the drivers’ title in the Formula 3 Euro Series. The Frenchman, born in Nice, won the sixth consecutive drivers’ title for his team ART Grand Prix, following in the footsteps of such illustrious drivers like Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Formula 1 rookie Romain Grosjean, GP2 champion Nico Hülkenberg and DTM aces Paul Di Resta and Jamie Green, who also won the title in the world’s toughest junior race series.
Since his start in single-seaters, Bianchi has been considered as a great talent. As a rookie, he won the 2007 title in the French Formula Renault championship right away behind the wheel of am SG Formula entered car. One year later, he changed to ART Grand Prix in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Indeed, the rookie made a few mistakes, but at an early stage already, he proved that he had the necessary speed: he scored his maiden podium finish in only his third race. This season, he has won seven races so far, six of them on Saturday. At Zandvoort, he even managed to win the race on Sunday as well, in spite of the reversed grid ruling.
The new champion comes from a genuine motorsport dynasty. His grandfather Mauro Bianchi and the latter’s brother Lucien were successful race drivers. In 1968, Lucien won the Le Mans 24 Hours and even scored podium finishes in Formula 1. Mauro also competed in Formula 1.
One of Jules Bianchi’s particular characteristics is the fact that he always gives 100 percent. Even when he is clearly in the lead, he continues to drive at the limit. Outside of his race car, he is rather silent, keeping a low profile. In his spare time, he likes to work on his fitness and is often driving go-karts. His father Philippe runs a kart track in his domestic village Brignoles in the south of France, at which Jules Bianchi always drives when he is at home. Moreover, he often plays football and roots for his favourite club, Olympique Marseille. When he isn’t involved in any sports activities, he prefers to spend time with his friends and his girlfriend Camille. The medicine student, however, is only rarely seen at the race track. |
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Jules Bianchi wins and is the new champion |
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With a victory in the 18th season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series, Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) secured the drivers’ title in the world’s toughest junior racing series. At the 3.801 kilometres long track of Dijon-Prenois, the 20-year old won from Sam Bird (Mücke Motorsport) and Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport). Thus, Bianchi is the successor of Nico Hülkenberg, who won the title last year. In the Formula 3 Euro Series, it is the sixth consecutive drivers’ title for his team ART Grand Prix.
The race started with an accident on the opening lap in which six drivers retired: Tom Dillmann (Prema Powerteam), Stefano Coletti (Prema Powerteam), Jean Karl Vernay (Signature), Jake Rosenzweig (Carlin Motorsport), Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport) and Mika Mäki (Signature). Apart from a bruised pelvis for Mäki, all drivers escaped unscathed. After an interruption of several minutes, the race was re-started. Bianchi overtook Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport) on the 14th lap and took the lead. The Briton eventually dropped back to fifth behind Esteban Gutierrez (ART Grand Prix), but still remained the best-placed rookie in the field.
Because of ongoing investigations by the stewards of the meeting, the results from third place onwards have not yet been officially confirmed.
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “I am really happy that I have won the title. Especially after yesterday’s race, that didn’t go so well, it is nice, claiming the title with a race win. I really wanted to win a race here at home in France and that is why I partly took the risk and I might even have come off the track. But it worked out, and now I am happy.”
Sam Bird (Mücke Motorsport): “This season didn’t go like I had imagined. Therefore, being on the podium once more here is all the more beautiful. For me, yesterday’s race already was great fun. I raced at this circuit in Dijon-Prenois for the first time and I really like it.”
Air temperature: 16.7 °C
Track temperature: 15.5 °C |
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Christian Vietoris wins - championship decision postponed |
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Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport) has won the 17th season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 3.801 kilometres long circuit at Dijon-Prenois. Points’ leader Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) occupied second place. Thus, Vietoris kept the battle for the title open. The German reduced Bianchi’s gap to 22 points. After 21 laps, Mika Mäki (Signature) took the chequered flag in third place. He successfully kept the best-placed rookie Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula) at bay.
Christian Vietoris started from seventh place and already made up two places on the first few metres. On lap two, Renger van der Zande (Motopark) landed in the gravel trap, which caused a safety-car phase. Vietoris prevailed at the re-start, moving up from fifth to first place. He retained this position until the end of the race. Behind him, Jean Karl Vernay had to come into the pits for a drive-through penalty because he had overtaken too early at the re-start. Mika Mäki had to see off Andrea Caldarelli especially in the opening stages, before the Italian, in turn, had to defend his fourth place against Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport).
Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport): “At last, I was able to make use of our speed in a race on Saturday and I have managed to take my first-ever win on Saturday in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Unfortunately, it is probably a little bit too late, because there will hardly be a way to beat Jules for the title.”
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “Starting from pole and then finishing second is never great. Today, we simply weren’t fast enough and I don’t know what the reason was. At the re-start, I also made a mistake. I accelerated too early and had to lift once again. Thus, Christian overtook me.”
Mika Mäki (Signature): “I was fourth in the race, but Jean Karl’s penalty allowed me to move up into third. I managed to defend my position from Andrea Caldarelli, although he was very fast on the straights. For tomorrow, I hope that I am a little bit faster and that I get a good start.”
Air temperature: 18.6 °C
Track temperature: 18.2 °C |
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Bianchi lays foundation for drivers’ title with pole position |
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With his fifth pole position in the 2009 Formula 3 Euro Series, Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:10.111 minutes) got himself into a good position for the battle for the title at the 3.801 kilometres long track at Dijon-Prenois. Now, the Frenchman is 24 points clear of his title rival Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport, 1:10.905 minutes), who ended up only seventh fastest. Second place in qualifying went to Jean Karl Vernay (Signature, 1:10.502 minutes), followed by the two Finns Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:10.523 minutes) and Mika Mäki (Signature, 1:10.773 minutes). Thus, the first two grid rows for the 17th season round are occupied by two race cars with Mercedes and two with Volkswagen engines.
Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula, 1:10.809 minutes) confirmed his upward trend by qualifying fifth. The Italian is the second-best rookie behnd Bottas and demoted fellow rookie Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport, 1:11.469 minutes) to sixth place. After a few minutes already, qualifying had to be interrupted for 15 minutes. Esteban Gutierrez (ART Grand Prix, 1:11.718 minutes) had hit the barriers, but escaped unscathed.
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “Things went very well for me today. Above all, it is a good step towards the decision for the title. But still, nothing has been decided yet. Tomorrow, I will do my best as ever.”
Jean Karl Vernay (Signature): “Finally, I am at the front again. I hope that I make a better start than Jules in the race tomorrow and can overtake him before the first corner. I really would like to win my home race tomorrow. When I don’t succeed, I will at least try to score as many points as possible.”
Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix): “I am slightly disappointed. Qualifying was okay, but by no means perfect. Contrarily to Jules, because his lap was perfect. Therefore, there was no way to beat him. Third place on the grid is a good position to start from in order to finish at least second.” |
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Exciting test at Dijon - Bianchi fastest |
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The pre-event test of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 3.801 kilometres long circuit of Dijon-Prenois was entertaining and varied. Eventually, Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix, 1:10.961 minutes) came out on top, followed by Esteban Gutierrez (ART Grand Prix, 1:11.398 minutes) and Roberto Merhi (Manor Motorsport, 1:11.406 minutes).
Esteban Gutierrez, Marco Wittmann (Mücke Motorsport, 1:11.612 minutes) and Jules Bianchi shone in the first couple of minutes. Towards the end of the session, Gutierrez topped the time sheet, but with 20 minutes remaining, the hunt for his fastest time started. The first to beat his time was Tom Dillmann (Prema Powerteam, 1:11.941 minutes), but the Frenchman remained on top for only a few seconds. Jules Bianchi outpaced Dillmann, but was outpaced himself just as quickly. This time round, Mika Mäki (Signature, 1:11.456 minutes) set a faster lap time.
With twelve minutes remaining, the battle was briefly interrupted following an accident. After that, things became really exciting once more. After countless position changes throughout the field, Jules Bianchi eventually came out on top. On his fastest lap, the points’ leader, who can already win the title at Dijon, was 0.437 seconds faster than his team-mate Esteban Gutierrez. “It went really well, the speed is there”, he said satisfied. “The first few laps weren’t so easy because I had to get used to my Formula 3 car again after having tested GP2. But then, it was top. When we remain focussed, a top five position in qualifying should be within reach”, he sandbagged.
In third place, Roberto Merhi secured a good result for himself and his team Manor Motorsport. “The test was okay. At fast tracks, our car is generally better than at slow ones. And I also rather drive at faster tracks, because there, the driver is more important than at narrow circuits. I think that we can even do better still in qualifying.” Mika Mäki, Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix, 1:11.489 minutes), Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport, 1:11.582 minutes), Marco Wittmann and Robert Wickens (Kolles & Heinz Union, 1:11.625 minutens) completed the top 8.
Wittmann ranked among the top positions almost throughout the test and at times was even fastest of all the 24 drivers. “I am happy because I was among the front runners all the time. When the track was still damp early on, I was on top together with Jules Bianchi and Mika Mäki. However, it was just a test. When I can repeat this performance in qualifying this afternoon, I will be happy.”
Wickens only found his way to a position among the front runners in the exciting final stage. He failed to maintain his temporary fifth place, but eighth place for the Canadian, who already competed for Kolles & Heinz Union in the season opener and is racing Nick Tandy’s car here, made him quite satisfied. |
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First match point for Jules Bianchi at Dijon-Prenois |
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For the first time in the sport’s history, the Dijon-Prenois circuit is the venue of a Formula 3 Euro Series event, this weekend. The 3.801-kilometre circuit located in France’s Burgundy region is the fastest track on this year’s calendar and due to its fast corners it represents a true challenge for the 25 ambitious Formula 3 Euro Series young guns.
For Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix), the two races in his home country represent the first match point in the battle for the title as he travels to Dijon-Prenois with a 23-point lead over Christian Vietoris (Mücke Motorsport).
With a maximum of 34 points to be scored on the final two race weekends of the season, Bianchi even could lose six points of his lead over Vietoris and still would secure the title at Dijon. Should he succeed in doing so he would be the second French Formula 3 Euro Series Champion, thus following in the footsteps of Romain Grosjean who won the title in the planet’s most competitive young-talent series in 2007 and competes in Formula 1, today.
Following his appearances in the two rounds of the season opener at Hockenheim, Robert Wickens (Kolles & Heinz Union) will make his Formula 3 Euro Series comeback, at Dijon. The Canadian will race the car previously driven by Briton Nick Tandy. Meanwhile, Frenchman Tom Dillmann will replace Prema Powerteam driver Tim Sandtler. Just as Wickens, Dillmann also is going to contest his second Euro Series event of the 2009 season. His first was the one he contested at the Nürburgring for Team HBR Motorsport.
Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix): “I’m truly happy about racing at Dijon as it is one of the greatest racetracks in France. I like driving there and in 2007, I have won a Formula Renault race at this circuit. It’s true, I could secure the title this weekend but currently I don’t think about this possibility. I just will be fully focused and try to avoid making any mistakes. But I won’t put myself under additional pressure because I’ve got the chance of winning the title early. Nonetheless, I have to admit that it would be great if I could celebrate the title in my home country - together with my family and friends.” |
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Cheerful Italian on the way up |
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Andrea Caldarelli (SG Formula) had to wait a long time for his first great moment in the Formula 3 Euro Series. At Barcelona, however, the waiting was over: the Italian secured his maiden podium.
Caldarelli is the fourth rookie to have made it to the podium, this year, thus following the footsteps of Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix), Alexander Sims (Mücke Motorsport) and Jake Rosenzweig (Carlin Motorsport). With this result, he leaps to third position in the rookie ranking. And it was the first presentation ceremony of the season featuring the participation of a Team SG Formula driver. So, Caldarelli also made an end to the dry spell of the squad that made its Euro Series debut in 2008 and secured three podium finishes in its maiden season, with Yann Clairay.
And Caldarelli celebrated his biggest Formula 3 Euro Series success to date at a venue SG Formula also had shone at last year. In 2008, Yann Clairay qualified second thus securing the best grid position to date, for his team. And now, rookie Caldarelli achieved the same qualifying result. But other than Clairay, Caldarelli succeeded in making perfect use of his front-row grid position by securing a podium finish. “I’m happy for my team, my sponsors and - quite obviously - for myself,” he beamed after the presentation ceremony.
The young Italian’s rookie season hadn’t run too smoothly, to date. The 19-year old had to cope with a good dose of bad luck. “He has made mistakes but the same certainly applies to our team,” admits Team Principal Stéphane Guérin. But his young driver is that optimistic that he just refuses to let minor setbacks make an impact on him and remains cheerful at any time. “I wasn’t really lucky, this year - but didn’t allow my motivation to suffer under this situation. I was just holding my ground,” the Italian concludes with a lot of determination. “Now I hope that I will be able add some more points and good results to my tally before the season is over.” |
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Daniel Abt to compete in the ATS Formula 3 Cup |
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With the name Daniel Abt on its grid, the ATS Formula 3 Cup once again attracts public attention. The 16-year old German - a member of the renowned tuner family Abt - will make his Formula 3 debut on 17th and 18th October, in the season finale at the ‘Motorsportarena Oschersleben’. Daniel Abt is going to race a Dallara F307 Volkwagen for Team Performance Racing.
“I’m truly delighted with having been offered this chance and just can’t wait for the weekend,” says the young gun. “I’d like thank Kris Nissen and Volkswagen Motorsport a lot for this opportunity.” In tests held last week, new 2009 ADAC Formula Masters Champion Daniel Abt gathered his first experiences at the wheel of the 210bhp Formula 3 single-seater. With eight race wins under his belt, Abt’s lead in the Formula Masters is that big that none of his opponents will have the chance of stealing his title, in the season finale.
By making the step to the ATS Formula 3 Cup he is another prominent example for the philosophy of the fastest German single-seater series - explains Press Officer Peter Dahlmanns: “Our series is regarded as an important step following professional kart racing and the Formula Masters. For the young drivers, the ATS Formula 3 Cup provides ideal learning and development possibilities without subjecting them to too much pressure.”
Abt and the German Formula 3 have got a joint tradition - that is revived, now. Back in 1992, Christian Abt - the uncle of David - won the championship’s Trophy title. “Formula 3 represents the stepping stone to the highest motor-racing categories,” says former DTM driver Christian Abt. “If you want to make it to Formula 1, honing your skills in Formula 3 is a must. But the Formula 3 know-how also is vital for other motor-racing categories. Therefore, the Cup represents the perfect preparation for series such as the Euro Series or the GP2.”
Daniel Abt was born on 03rd December, 1992 in Kempten, located in Germany’s Allgäu region. In 2003, the ambitious technical-school pupil made his first kart-racing steps and in 2008, he contested his first ADAC Formula Masters season - to then secure the 2009 title in superior style. Daniel Abt is the son of Hans-Jürgen Abt and the nephew of Christian Abt who jointly turned the tuning enterprise of their father, Johann, into the world-famous tuning company Abt Sportsline. In DTM, ABT has acquired outstanding competence and the reputation of unconditional professionalism. |
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Second pair of brothers on the Cup grid |
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Once again, ATS Formula 3 Cup will feature something new: the season finale at Oschersleben will be contested by two pairs of brothers.
While the Hauser brothers from Luxembourg – Gary and David – have been a constant on this year’s ATS Formula 3 Cup grid, the two Finns Mika and Marco Vähämäki will contest the first joint Cup weekend.
Mika, who is nearly 20 years old, has contested the full ATS Formula Trophy season but his 17-year old brother Marco is going to make his debut, at Oschersleben. Mika und Marco Vähämäki are going to also contest the 2010 ATS Formula 3 Trophy. |
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Motopark Academy: from zero to hero |
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It took Team Motopark Academy 16 races to secure their first Formula 3 Euro Series win. Then, Dutchman Renger van der Zande gave Oschersleben based squad their first win in the planet’s most competitive young-gun series. A truly extraordinary achievement: never ago in the history of the sport, a team without Formula 3 experience succeeded in winning a race in their first Formula 3 Euro Series season.
Three times in the seven years of Formula 3 Euro Series history, rookie teams succeeded in winning races in their debut seasons. Back in 2004, Manor Motorsport did so at the Norisring - with Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of their single-seater. In 2006, Peter Elkmann gave Jo Zeller Racing their maiden win at Brands Hatch and in the following year, Harald Schlegelmilch allowed HS Technik Motorsport to celebrate their debut win at the Nürburgring. But all these teams could rely on some Formula 3 experience when entering the Formula 3 Euro Series. While this wasn’t the case when it came to Team Motopark Academy, prior to the 2009 season.
But even before entering the Formula 3 sport, Timo Rumpfkeil’s squad was one of the most competitive teams in the young-gun single-seater racing area. In the Formula Renault 2.0, it has been a serious title contender in every Eurocup and NEC (Northern European Cup) season. At the end of the 2008 season they had won a total of seven titles. And on the weekend of their first Euro Series win, António Félix da Costa gave them title No 8: the Portuguese won the 2009 Formula Renault 2.0 NEC title early.
Nonetheless, Team Principal Timo Rumpfkeil and his team had to learn that making the step from Formula Renault to Formula 3 is anything but easy. Despite having occasionally secured promising initial positions, the team had scored just eight points, with 14 races contested.
The race weekend at Barcelona was the second Renger van der Zande contested at the wheel of a Team Motopark Arena entered Dallara-Mercedes. Van der Zande’s first appearance, at Oschersleben, didn’t run that well, with his fire extinguisher going off during the first race. And at the beginning of the Spanish weekend, things also didn’t run too promising. In the qualifying session he encountered brake problems and therefore had to make do with 15th grid position - despite have been just half a second slower than the front-runners. In the Saturday round he successfully avoided getting involved in any incidents, drove a clever race and was rewarded with the fine eighth place - and pole position for the Sunday round, due to the reversed order format. From there, the man who had finished fourth in the 2008 Formula 3 Euro Series Championship had to battle it out with one tough opponent at the start but after having prevailed against Basil Shaaban (Prema Powerteam), he controlled the race until having crossed the finish line, thus giving the squad from Oschersleben a reason to party.
“Finally we succeeded in making perfect use of our competitiveness,” beamed team Principal Timo Rumpfkeil. “We proved several times that we’ve got the pace but to date, we always failed to make it to the podium. Thanks to the experience of Renger, however, we finally did so. Now I hope for similarly successful race weekends at Dijon and in the season finale at Hockenheim.” |
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