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Race
1: The first race of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the A1-Ring brought a clear lights-to-flag victory for Ryan Briscoe from Alexandre Prémat and Bruno Spengler. Austrian Christian Klien, who lost two places at the start recovered to fifth position, but then didn’t find a way past his team-mate Markus Winkelhock. Two former F1-world champions closely watched the race of the Formula 1-candidates: Niki Lauda and Keke Rosberg. At the start of the first-ever race of the Formula 3 Euro Series on Austrian soil, the first three drivers, Ryan Briscoe of the PREMA Powerteam and the two ASM-drivers Alexandre Prémat and Bruno Spengler had a good getaway. Austrian Andreas Zuber (Team Rosberg) overtook Markus Winkelhock (Mücke Motorsport) after an excellent start and claimed fourth place, which he had to abandon again following a spin on lap nine – he eventually came home in ninth place. Adam Carroll (Opel Team KMS), a guest driver from the British Formula 3 championship, and Nico Rosberg (Team Rosberg) also made up a few places at the start and thus demoted among others Christian Klien (Mücke Motorsport) to eighth position. But bit by bit, the Austrian climbed up to fifth place again behind his team-mate Winkelhock. While championship leader Briscoe was driving his laps all alone with a six seconds’ margin over Alexandre Prémat, Bruno Spengler, Markus Winkelhock and Christian Klien had exciting position fights. However, none of them gave up his place until the chequered flag came out. Even a courageous overtaking attempt by Klien on the final lap remained unsuccessful. ASM-driver Olivier Pla, currently third in the championship, could make up to eighth place on the first laps, but then retired with three laps to go as his tyres lost pressure and he had no chance anymore. Austrian Bernhard Auinger (Superfund TME) could make up from 22nd place on the grid to 13th position, while his compatriots Richard Lietz (HBR Motorsport) and Philipp Baron (Team Ghinzani) finished in 18th and 21st place. With his victory of today, Australian Briscoe has won five of the 13 races held so far and he could extend his lead in the championship standings. He now has a margin of 26 points over Christan Klien and Olivier Pla.
Race
2: An optimal result
for Ryan Briscoe at the A1-Ring: two pole-positions, two victories.
The entire race on Sunday in Styria was marked by exciting duels, plenty
of action and a massive crash, from which Andreas Zuber fortunately
escaped unscathed. At the start already, Ryan Briscoe (PREMA Powerteam)
had a good getaway and could benefit from the duel between Alexandre
Prémat (ASM) and Nico Rosberg (Team Rosberg) for second place, that
Rosberg initially could decide in his favour. Christian Klien (Mücke
Motorsport), however, had anything but a good start, although he had
a free drive, as Robert Kubica (PREMA Powerteram) was unable to start
because of problems with the electricity of his engine. Markus Winkelhock
(Mücke Motorsport) made up from eighth to fifth with an excellent start.
After some minor excursions on the first lap, Andreas Zuber (Team Rosberg)
had a big crash and barrel-rolled several times. Fortunately, with the
help of the track marshals, the young Austrian could get out of his
car and appeared to be unscathed. Which is another proof of the high
safety standards of the Formula 3 Euro Series. During the safety-car
phase, Rosberg and Prémat could close up to Briscoe again. As the race
resumed on lap three, Briscoe slightly pulled clear. The first three
positions already appeared to be taken, as Rosberg made a slight mistake
and Prémat claimed back his second position. Behind them, there was
an exciting three-way fight between Olivier Pla (ASM), Markus Winkelhock
and Christian Klien for fourth place. With two laps to go, the Austrian
climbed up to fifth in the team-internal battle with Winkelhock. As
he also started an attack on Pla on the final lap, he almost came off
the track, but the rookie caught himself and retain his fifth position.
With his sixth season win, Australian Briscoe managed to extend his
margin in the championship standings and has now the possibility to
secure the title already at the next round at Zandvoort in a fortnight’s
time. This weekend, Alexandre Prémat made the biggest move in the championship.
With his two second places, he climbed up from seventh to fourth in
the standings. |