The premiere was successful. 19 drivers from ten countries competed in the support programme of the DTM for the first time this weekend. The setting of the Lausitzring and perfect weather in all races contributed considerably. Marvin Kirchhofer handled the 3.478-km circuit version of the Lausitzring, which is only used during the DTM event, best. Sebastian Balthasar took the victory in the Trophy ranking.
Right after the start, Austrian Thomas Jager (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) pushed forward between the three Lotus drivers. Briton Emil Bernstoff started off best, with Marvin Kirchhofer from Lotus (both Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine), Jger and Russian Artem Markelov (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine), who secured the third place again, following. Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) from the U.S. and Swede John Bryant-Meisner (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) grabbed the places behind him. Italian Matteo Cairoli (ADM Motorsport / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) claimed a remarkable fifth place after Menezes. Putting pressure on Bernstorff, Kirchhfer overtook him in the 18th lap. Kirchhfer drove across the finish line ahead of Bernstorff and Markelov after completing 22 laps.
Balthasar continues to lead the Trophy rankingThe Trophy drivers made today hard for themselves. A technical fault stopped Freddy Killensberger from Wortelstetten (GU-Racing / Dallara F307 OPC-Challenge) on his way to the track. Hubertus-Carlos Vier from Inching (ADAC Team Nordbayern / Dallara F307 Mercedes) did not get off at the start. The perfect opportunity for Christian Zeller from Neuenburg (CR Racing Team) who finished the race third in the Trophy ranking. Maximilian Hackl from Ruderting came in second (Franz Wss Racing / Dallara F307 OPC-Challenge). Sebastian Balthasar from Cologne (GU-Racing / Dallara F311 Mercedes) claimed the top place on the podium again, after he was belatedly disqualified from race two yesterday for a technical rules violation.
Marvin Kirchhfer: Kudos to Emil! He had a considerably better start and it took me 17 laps to overtake him. Im really happy!Emil Bernstorff: I used the push-to-pass system a little too often early on. I figured Marvin would close the gap earlier. In hindsight it was the wrong decision, but I still kept in second place.Artem Markelov: My start was not really good. My tyres were spinning. However, then I was almost always in third place. I wanted to get faster with every lap, but it is o.k. really. My team did a great job.Sebastian Balthasar: My start was good and I even gained a place. The race went perfectly for me. I did not have to take any risks and completed my race easily.
2013 SONAX Rookie rankingMarvin Kirchhfer continues to lead, having scored 280 points. After his first victory Gustavo Menezes improves to second (161 points) and switches places with John Bryant-Meisner, who has scored 152 points so far.
ATS Formula 3 Cup team rankingThe talent factory Lotus from Oschersleben fortify their lead in the newly established team ranking with 282 points. Performance Racing stay in second place (184 points), Van Amersfoort Racing need only two more points for a tie. It will surely be exciting.
Points scored in the first fifteen races of the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup (top 3):
1.Marvin Kirchhfer / DEU 2772. Artem Markelov / RUS 1923.Emil Bernstorff / GBR 183
