Son of ex-Formula 1 driver shows his talent once againGiovinazzi claims his second win of the seasonBlomqvist also makes it onto the podium twice “powered by Volkswagen”
Talented racing driver Max Verstappen (NL) and Antonio Giovinazzi (I) recorded wins for Volkswagen in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the legendary Nürburgring. Verstappen, who has only recently turned 16 and is a new member of the Red Bull Junior Team, once again demonstrated his enormous talent. In addition to his victory in the first race on Saturday, he also made it onto the podium in the third race. Even during the second race of the weekend he looked like the certain winner after 20 laps, until a technical error put paid to his plans.
Nevertheless, there was a one-two finish “powered by Volkswagen” during this race in the sunshine. Giovinazzi crossed the finishing line 0.7 seconds ahead of team-mate and Jagonaya Ayam with Carlin driver Tom Blomqvist (GB), who started the race in pole position, to claim his second win of this season. In addition to this, Jordan King (GB) took sixth place in the Dallara F312.
“The flying Dutchman” Verstappen gave a tactical masterclass in the first race of a race weekend, which was characterised by changeable weather conditions, to record his eighth win of the season. The son of ex-Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen went out onto the track with dry-weather tyres and was overtaken by Australian driver Richard Goddard, who started on wet tyres. The youngster from the Amersfoort Racing team held his nerve and retook the lead on a circuit, which was beginning to dry out, and drove confidently to victory. Four of the top five places went to drivers with Volkswagen engines: Giovinazzi, King and Tom Blomqvist ended up in positions third to fifth respectively.
Even in the third race, there were two podium places to celebrate for the pilots with powertrains made in Wolfsburg. Tom Blomqvist (GB), son of rally champion Stig Blomqvist and Max Verstappen (NL) had the beating of everyone except winner Lucas Auer from Austria. Last year's British Formula 3 champion King, who finished in fifth, completed what was another strong result.
The record after nine of the eleven race weekends is impressive: in the 27 races, which have already been run this season, drivers with Volkswagen engines have taken 14 victories. The Volkswagen drivers were able to narrow the gap to championship leader Esteban Ocon (F), who tops the standings with 402 points. Verstappen lies in second place on 325 points after 27 of this year's 33 races and Blomqvist is in third on 315. Therefore the duo still have a theoretical chance of claiming the title. The next race weekend will be held from 10 – 12 October at the former Formula 1 circuit at Imola in Italy.
Quotes, FIA Formula 3 European Championship at the Nürburgring
Max Verstappen (NL), Van Amersfoort Racing, Dallara Volkswagen #30“Naturally I am delighted with my eighth victory of the season, but my retirement in the second race still hurts of course. Consequently I now have only a slim chance of winning the title. But these sorts of things happen in motor racing and you just have to write a line under it.”
Jos Verstappen (NL), ex-Formula 1 driver and father of Max Verstappen“Max actually did everything right this weekend. The fact that he was forced to retire in the second race whilst in the lead, is just terrible luck.”
Tom Blomqvist (GB), Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, Dallara Volkswagen #31“The car was sensational to drive, my two pole positions demonstrate how fast it was. We were superior to all the rest, which is why it is particularly frustrating not to have won. Next time out I will go on the attack again and give everything in the pursuit of victory.
Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Jagonya Ayam with Carlin, Dallara Volkswagen #19“The one-two finish in the second race is especially a really great result for the team. I had everything under control throughout the whole race. I want to thank my team, who provided me with a fantastic car to race once again this weekend.”
Overall standings after 27 out of 33 races, FIA Formula 3 European Championship
1. Esteban Ocon, 402 points; 2. Max Verstappen, 325; 3. Tom Blomqvist, 315, 4. Lucas Auer, 283; 5. Antonio Fuoco, 237; 6. Antonio Giovinazzi, 173; 7. Jordan King, 172; 8. Felix Rosenqvist, 154; 9. Jake Dennis, 154; 10. Nicholas Lafiti, 108
FIA Formula 3 European ChampionshipNürburgring – Result Race 101. Max Verstappen (NL), Dallara-Volkswagen 23 laps in 35m 35.010s02. Antonio Fuoco (I), Dallara-Mercedes +03.275s03. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Dallara-Volkswagen +03.789s04. Jordan King (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen +06.650s05. Tom Blomqvist (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen +11.650s... 10. Edward Jones (UAE), Dallara-Volkswagen +33.767s14. Gustavo Menezes (USA), Dallara-Volkswagen +48.247s 16. Sean Gelæel (RI), Dallara-Volkswagen +58.751s 17. Jules Szymkowiak (NL), Dallara Volkswagen +1m 17.741s Jake Dennis (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen DNF
Nürburgring – Result Race 201. Antonio Giovinazzi(I), Dallara-Volkswagen 25 laps in 34m 39.329s02. Tom Blomqvist (GB), Dallara Volkswagen +00.711s03. Esteban Ocon (F), Dallara-Mercedes +01.404s... 06. Jordan King (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen +05.101s08. Edward Jones (UAE), Dallara Volkswagen +15.488s13. Gustavo Menezes (USA), Dallara-Volkswagen +31.907s16. Antonio Giovinazzi (I), Dallara Volkswagen +18.215s21. Sean Gelael (RI), Dallara-Volkswagen +2 lapsMax Verstappen (NL), Dallara-Volkswagen DNFNürburgring – Result Race 301. Lucas Auer (AT), Dallara-Mercedes 24 laps in 35m 28.675s02. Tom Blomqvist (GB), Dallara Volkswagen +0.476s03. Max Verstappen (NL), Dallara-Volkswagen +03.147s... 05. Jordan King (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen +05.238s09. Jake Dennis (GB), Dallara-Volkswagen+20.175s10. Jules Szymkowiak (NL), Dallara-Volkswagen+20.770s11. Sean Gelael (RI), Dallara-Volkswagen+21.295s13. Gustavo Menezes (US), Dallara Volkswagen+26.453sAntonio Giovinazzi(I), Dallara-VolkswagenDNF
