Nabil Jeffri leaves everybody else behind him 26.04.2014: Drivers from eleven countries started into the reversed-grid sprint race

Drivers from eleven countries started into the reversed-grid sprint race in the support programme of the ADAC GT Masters this afternoon. In dry conditions, pole-sitter Maximilian Hackl defended his position well on the 3.696-km track at etropolis Motorsportarena Oschersleben.


Malay Nabil Jeffri from Team Motopark scored his first victory which also marked his first podium finish in the ATS Formula 3 Cup. Indy Dontje from Lotus finished second again, with Sam MacLeod from Van Amersfoort Racing grabbing third once more.


Maximilian Hackl from Ruderting (Amkon Motorsport / Dallara F311 OPC) had a good start from the pole position and defended his lead. Hot on his heels, Nabil Jeffri from Kuala Lumpur (Motopark) put pressure on the 21-year old and took the lead in lap three. Dutchman Indy Dontje in P3 and Markus Pommer (beide Lotus) from Neckarsulm in P4 battled for positions.


Behind them followed Russian Nikita Zlobin (SMP Racing by ADM Motorsport) and Briton Sam MacLeod. Malay Weiron Tan (both Van Amersfoort Racing), Andrés Méndez from Bogotà (Lotus), Sergey Trofimov (SMP Racing by ADM Motorsport) from Moscow and Dane Nicolai Sylvest (JBR Motorsport & Engineering / all in Dallara F311 Volkswagen) were at the end of the field.


The highlight of the race were the attempts of this morning's winner, Pommer, to overtake second-placed Dontje and how the attacked defended himself. Benefiting, Hackl defended his place two for quite a while before the 21-year old Dutchman was able to pass him. His compatriot Pommer followed suit shortly after. Both did not expect MacLeod to take his chance to overtake both of them, moving into third.


 Bad luck for Hackl. After a crash the Bavarian finished the race ninth. Leaving everybody else behind him, Nabil Jeffri won the race 15 seconds ahead of Indy Dontje and Sam MacLeod.


The third and final race of the weekend will take place tomorrow morning at 10.35. A live stream and live timing will be available on the ATS Formula 3 Cup website. Nabil Jeffri will be in the pole position, followed by Markus Pommer and Indy Dontje.


 Nabil Jeffri: “It is an amazing feeling; it is my first win in the ATS Formula 3 Cup and my first time on the podium. The time with Team Motopark is a great experience. I want to thank my whole family. Tomorrow I want to win again.”


Indy Dontje: “Really, really good! Two times fastest rookie, two times P2. Of course I want P1, but from P7 it is quite o.k. I think we did a good job and it was also my first experience to drive with somebody so close in my rear. It is really cool.”


Sam MacLeod: “It was pretty good, especially at the start. I had a bit of a struggle, but luckily everyone was racing quite hard. And with Maximilian and Markus I got a great opportunity to get two in one corner. Then it was quite easy.”



Bettina Eichhammer, photo Formel 3 Vereinigung