after difficult weekend

Frédéric Vervisch was rewarderd with a place on the rostrum after a difficult first weekend in the German F3 Championship.Nobody could have guessed that the first weekend of the German ATS Formula 3 Cup on the Hockenheimring would be so difficult. Last year’s runner-up was very fast during the previous tests and on this track he opened his 2007 campaign with a victory.

The OPC Challenge Opel engine in Frédérics Dallara F307 was no match for the rivals of Mercedes, Honda and Volkswagen. On the official test day on Monday, April 21st, he had a lack of pace and it didn’t change during qualifying, where he secured the 6th and 8th place on the grid of both races, his runs being hampered by traffic.

With his experience Frédéric was able to bring in some good results. After a great start in race 1, Fred moved up from sixth to second place. But the less powerful engine proved to be a disadvantage on the long straights.

“I was not able to hold of Sebastian Saavedra, who races a Mercedes engine.  Only a couple of laps before the finish he went past me and he left me easily behind. his was another proof of the lack of power of our Opel engine”, Frédéric told after finishing in third position.

In race 2, Frédéric again made a blistering start. This time he gained six places. The possibility to finish on the podium was taken from him after Saavedra touched him three laps before the end. “It is a real pity, as we lost a lot of precious points. It was our goal to minimize the damage and take as many points we could. This retirement cost us a possible second place in the championship. Very disappointing.”

“We know we have a lot of homework to do before the next race in Oschersleben. We will get together with Opel to discuss the engine problems. t isn’t too late, as the season just started. But we have to find a solution as soon as possible”, Vervisch said.