Double R Racing FIA Formula 3 European Hockenheim review

SEASON-BEST FOR POHLER AND SOLOMON DESPITE TOUGH HOCKENHEIM WEEKEND

Nicolas Pohler and Double R Racing team-mate Matt Solomon each secured the best finishes of their respective maiden seasons in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship at Hockenheim in Germany over the weekend, 2nd/3rd May, during an event which proved a major test for the series rookies.

Hometown racer Pohler managed to gain eight positions in the dry fifth round on Saturday to secure a best-yet finish of 23rd place, while Solomon was 22nd in the rain-affected fourth round on Friday, 1st May, thanks to a good drive from the 16th row of the grid – an improvement of 10 places.

While the inclement weather served up its own challenges, German teenager Pohler also sustained damage early in the first race on Friday but the youngster bounced back well from the set-back.

“It’s been quite a tough weekend, especially with the wet weather playing a big role, but Matt and Nici both made progress and that’s everything we can ask”, said Double R team principal Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt, “If qualifying had been better, I’m sure top 20 finishes would have been on the cards so the important thing now is to try and qualify stronger at the next round and build from there.”

Round four, which took place in particularly wet conditions, only lasted a couple of corners for the unfortunate Pohler who sustained damage in the pack – broken suspension and a deranged front-right wheel leading to instant retirement.

Solomon, meanwhile, managed to emerge from an extremely busy opening lap in 33rd position and after a brief Safety Car period early on, the Double R racer held 29th place. Getting away cleanly at the re-start, he progressed into 26th position before the Safety Car was deployed again several laps later and ultimately ended the challenging encounter 22nd after a third Safety Car period late on.

Beginning Saturday’s dry race, round five, from 29th and 31st on the grid respectively, Solomon and Pohler each put together a superb opening lap with the German, in particular, starring by gaining an incredible eight places.

Although nudged back to 24th position on lap two, and then slipping to 26th place behind the recovering Lance Stroll and Jake Dennis, Pohler lapped strongly throughout the 22 lap contest and eventually made his way back into 23rd place at the finish.

Up into 26th position after the first lap, Solomon was part of the tight battle featuring Pohler and half a dozen other cars initially but slipped to 27th when the delayed Dennis and Stroll both made their way past. In the end, he managed to move back into 26th place before the chequered flag.

Officials opted to begin round six on Sunday afternoon from behind the Safety Car due to the wet conditions which had returned. Pohler started on row 15 with Solomon on row 17 of the grid and after a single lap under caution, racing got underway on the second tour with Solomon wasting little time in battling his way through into 28th position ahead of Pohler.

Moving into 25th during the first half of the race, Solomon then climbed as high as 22nd position but following a late Safety Cat period – required after two cars tangled – he slipped to 23rd place before the finish. Pohler, meanwhile, ended the weekend with a race to forget after finishing a lap down in 32nd position following a pit-lane speeding penalty.

Next on the FIA Formula 3 European Championship calendar is one of the crown jewel events in global F3 racing, the Pau Formula 3 Grand Prix, which will take place at the famous French street circuit a fortnight from now over the weekend 16th/17th May.

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