Formula 3 was a stepping stone for Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel
Spaniard Daniel Juncadella defends his points’ lead at Norisring
Daniel Juncadella again defended his points’ lead in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the Norisring. At the street circuit in Nuremberg, the Spaniard didn’t manage to win a race this weekend, but he retained his leading position from Raffaele Marciello from Italy. British driver William Buller is classified third. Pascal Wehrlein from Worndorf, Germany, showed a very strong performance, but had bad luck. The 17-year old scored one victory, but retired from both races after innocently having become involved in collisions while in the lead. He is fourth in the drivers’ standings. Sven Müller (20) from Bingen at the Rhine moved up into fifth place after a balanced performance. Both drivers have one goal: they want to follow in the footsteps of Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher, as for both Formula 1 world champions, Formula 3 was the stepping stone for their unique career.
Like for the motorsport superstars, it all started in go-karts for the young aces. Müller got a Bambini go-kart as a Christmas present as a four-year old, Wehrlein completed his first laps at the go-kart track in Rottweil at the age of eight. The 17-year old: “Back then, Formula 1 already fascinated me. I would get up during the night, to watch races, for instance from Australia, live on TV. I wanted to be there myself one day.” Sven Müller was also affected by the motor racing bug: “Initially, I drove for fun, but when I had my first good results, my motivation got bigger and bigger.”
Müller ended up third in the 2011 ADAC Formula Masters. Pascal Wehrlein, who already became Federal DMV champion and go-kart champion during his career, won the title in this category. Both are in the Speed Academy programme, where they get coaching in media relations, mental and fitness training. Sven Müller: “Off the race track, hard work, fitness training and the right mental preparation can help you find a couple of tenths of a second.” This year, Wehrlein and Müller are in their maiden Formula 3 Euro Series’ season. For both, Formula 1 is the goal and they are fierce rivals in the race. “Of course, we talk to each other, but there is no friendship on the track”, says Pascal Wehrlein.
In the Formula 3 Euro Series, probably the world’s strongest and toughest junior racing category, the young up-and-coming drivers are honing their skills. They get to know their cars into the finest detail, closely working together with the teams to adapt the set-up of the car to the different tracks. In the process, the tyres are an important factor, being supplied by premium manufacturer Hankook for the first time this season. Sven Müller is impressed by the Ventus competition tyre: “Last year, I tested with the old tyres. They were good at the beginning, but then dropped significantly. The Hankook tyres, on the other hand, are very fast and consistent throughout the distance.” Pascal Wehrlein shares his view: “I just know the Hankook tyres in the Formula 3 Euro Series and I am very happy.”
Wehrlein’s goal is being on the podium at the end of the season. Müller wants to end up in the top five. For both, this would be another step towards a career in Formula 1. The two young drivers have already met their heroes. Müller met Vettel and Schumacher at the go-kart track, Pascal Wehrlein drove for Michael Schumacher’s go-kart track. Wehrlein: “Michael Schumacher has selected me for the ADAC Sport Foundation. He knows me.”
