Formula 3 Euro Series 2008
Air temperature: 18.2 °C
Asphalt temperature: 23.7 °C
Victory in the tenth season round of the Formula 3 Euro Series went to Dutchman Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam). At the 4.307 kilometres long race track at Zandvoort, located in the North Sea dunes, he won with a margin of 3.749 seconds from the two Frenchmen Yann Clairay (SG Formula) and Franck Mailleux (Signature-Plus).
Points leader Edoardo Mortara (Signature-Plus) started from the back of the grid after his retirement from yesterday and failed to score any points. His margin in the standings was reduced to nine points over second-placed Mika Mäki (Mücke Motorsport). The Finn finished fifth in the race behind Jean-Karl Vernay (Signature-Plus).
Van der Zande led the field into the first corner, after Niall Breen (Manor Motorsport) and Robert Wickens (Signature-Plus), who started from the front row, already collided on the first few metres. On lap three, Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) made a mistake while driving in third place and dropped back to ninth. Mailleux inherited third place and retained this position until the chequered flag was out, just like van der Zande and Clairay in front of him.
For van der Zande, it was the second victory of the season, Mailleux was delighted with his first podium finish of the year. Nico Hülkenberg, who had to start from the back of the grid after his disqualification from yesterday, crossed the finish line in 13th place.
Renger van der Zande (Prema Powerteam): "Winning my hone race is fantastic. I am feeling great. Here at Zandvoort, I have already won quite a few races, but never a Formula 3 race until now. This victory was important to me and is something very special."
Yann Clairay (SG Formula): "After two rather poor weekends, this finally is a good one. I am very happy with second place and I am confident that it will be similar in the races to come."
Franck Mailleux (Signature-Plus): "I had a great start and I managed to overtake two cars. Fortunately, I was able to avoid the collision in front of me. After that, the race wasn’t easy, because I had a lot of oversteer and I got some pressure from behind."
ITR e.V. Kay-Oliver Langendorff
More reports from this category all copyright automobilsport.com.
