Laurens Vanthoor keeps setting surprising results in his debut ATS F3 Cup season. After the 17-year old Belgium driver scored his maiden formula 3 podium finish a fortnight ago in Oschersleben, the Van Amersfoort Racing driver repeated this remarkable performance this weekend at the Nurburgring. By finishing in second position on Saturday, Vanthoor ended his weekend on a high after having to retire in Friday’s opening race after competing just one lap. In the driver standings, Vanthoor now possesses the 7th position.
FREE PRACTISES + QUALIFYING
Due to the hectic schedule surrounding the 36th edition of the 24H race at the Nordschleife, the ATS Formel 3 Cup paddock already had to start the weekend on Thursday. In the free practise session, Vanthoor got to learn the German Grand Prix circuit and set the fifth best time. Though he improved his lap time, the rookie driver had to settle for sixth in the qualifying session. In the second qualifying session on Saturday morning, Vanthoor even upped his game by just missing out on pole position and claiming the second starting position!
RACE 01 + 02
After having enjoyed a good start from the third row, Vanthoor managed to squeeze past three drivers while entering the first corner. As he had pole man and race leader Chinosi in his sights, but Tweraser chasing him from behind, Vanthoor tried to attack Chinosi and defend his position at the same time during the opening lap. But as Tweraser clipped his car during this fight, Vanthoor had no choice but to retire on the spot with a broken suspension and inflated front tyre.
On Saturday, Vanthoor again enjoyed a superb start of his race and tailed eventual race winner Chinosi in the opening stages of the 15 lap race. Though Chinosi was in a league of his own as the race progressed, Vanthoor got into a tangle for second position with his fellow countryman Frédéric Vervisch. The duo swapped positions throughout the race, but Vanthoor managed to get the better out of the race by finishing in second position!
LAURENS VANTHOOR: "Compliments to all the guys in the team. The car worked really well this weekend and was quick from the beginning. I’m satisfied about my qualifying performances and race starts, but feel a bit disappointed by having to retire so early in the first race. Luckily I could turn the tide on Saturday and score my second podium finish of the season.
I realize I still have to learn a lot in this series and about this car, but with the way things are developing at the moment, I’m upbeat about our future chances at our next meeting in Hockenheim!"
RESULTS RACE 01 ATS FORMULA 3 CUP – NÜRBURGRING, 23.05.2008
01. Frédéric Vervisch, Swiss Racing Team, 25:07.230
02. Matteo Chinosi, Ombra Racing, + 00.470s
03. Johnny Cecotto, HS Technik Motorsport, + 00.985s
DNF. LAURENS VANTHOOR, VAN AMERSFOORT RACING, + 14 LAPS
RESULTS RACE 02 ATS FORMULA 3 CUP – NÜRBURGRING, 24.05.2008
01. Matteo Chinosi, Ombra Racing, 25:07.480
02. LAURENS VANTHOOR, VAN AMERSFOORT RACING, + 08.281s
03. Fréderic Vervisch, Swiss Racing Team, + 09.379s
04. Sebastian Saavedra, HS Technik Motorsport, + 09.758s
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