For the first time, Roberto Merhi (Mücke Motorsport) climbed onto the top step of the podium after a Formula 3 Euro Series race. At the 4.574 kilometers long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, the Spaniard won just ahead of his compatriot Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam), who ended up as the best-placed rookie of the race. After an entertaining race, Edoardo Mortara (Signature) took the checkered flag in third place, followed by Marco Wittmann (Signature). Thus, the Italian will travel to the fifth round at Valencia as the points' leader in the Euro Series.

At the start, Ant¢nio Félix da Costa (Motopark Academy) was still in front, but on lap three already, Roberto Merhi overtook the Portuguese. Daniel Juncadella overtook Félix da Costa just before the latter was given a drive-through penalty because of crossing the track limits. After that, Edoardo Mortara inherited third place. At times, he was put under massive pressure by his team-mate Marco Wittmann, but he prevailed. Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix), who had already made up his way into third place, but lost four places following a spin, and Jim Pla (ART Grand Prix) occupied the final two points-scoring positions in the second race at Hockenheim.

Roberto Merhi (Mücke Motorsport): "Of course, I am very happy with my maiden victory in the Formula 3 Euro Series, which is also the first win for a Spanish driver. In the final few laps, Daniel came closer and closer. I concentrated on making no mistakes, because I wanted to bring victory home no matter what."

Daniel Juncadella (Prema Powerteam): "This is my first podium finish in the Formula 3 Euro Series and obviously, I am very happy with that. When I was closely behind Roberto towards the end of the race, my tires weren't good enough anymore. Moreover, Roberto didn't make any mistakes. He has deserved this win and I think that I have deserved second place, too."

Race 1 – Saturday, April 24, 2010

Maiden Euro Series victory for Marco Wittmann

24.04.2010 – At the 4.574 kilometers long Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg, Marco Wittmann (Signature) celebrated his maiden win in the Formula 3 Euro Series. The only German in the field of the world's toughest junior race series finished ahead of team-mate Edoardo Mortara (Signature) and Finn Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix). In the drivers' standings, 20-year old Wittmann is now jointly in the lead with Edoardo Mortara.

At the start, Wittmann was pipped by Daniel Juncadella, who had a better getaway from second place on the grid than Wittmann, who started from pole position. However, it took the Signature-driver less than one lap to get past the Spanish rookie. After that, he drove a safe victory home. His team-mate Edoardo Mortara couldn't quite keep up with the pace of the race leader and eventually came home second, 6.411 seconds down. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs was the best-placed rookie in fifth position.

Marco Wittmann (Signature): "Scoring my maiden victory in the Formula 3 Euro Series in a round in Germany is fine. Compared to last year, I have improved, I am making fewer mistakes and so far, my Signature team has been doing a great job, too. My start today wasn't good, but fortunately, I was able to claim back the lead on the opening lap already."

Edoardo Mortara (Signature): "I am happy with second place. Consistently scoring points and making it onto the podium as often as possible is important in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Yesterday, Marco had a great qualifying and he deservedly won this race."

Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix): "I expected a close race. Initially, it went quite well, but then I started having problems in the lower rev ranges and therefore I had difficulties accelerating out of the corners. The only thing I could do was try to defend third place."

Results Race 2:

Pos Driver Team Car Time/Gap
1. Roberto Merhi Mucke D/M 39m44.989s
2. Daniel Juncadella Prema D/M + 0.599s
3. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V + 1.412s
4. Marco Wittmann Signature D/V + 2.104s
5. Valtteri Bottas ART D/M + 4.246s
6. Jim Pla ART D/M + 21.689s
7. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Motopark D/V + 29.361s
8. Alexander Sims ART D/M + 29.773s
9. Antonio Felix da Costa Motopark D/V + 32.499s
10. Matias Laine Motopark D/V + 45.991s
11. Sandro Zeller Jo Zeller D/M + 53.559s
12. Luis Jorge Sa Silva Motopark D/V + 1m06.260s
13. Nicolas Marroc Prema D/M + 2 laps

Retirements:

Jimmy Eriksson Motopark D/V 11 laps
Esteban Gutierrez ART D/M 5 laps
Carlos Munoz Mucke D/M 0 laps
Laurens Vanthoor Signature D/V 0 laps

Results Race 1 :

Pos Driver Team Car Time/Gap
1. Marco Wittmann Signature D/V 28m16.473s
2. Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V + 6.411s
3. Valtteri Bottas ART D/M + 11.487s
4. Roberto Merhi Mucke D/M + 12.027s
5. Adrian Quaife-Hobbs Motopark D/V + 14.355s
6. Esteban Gutierrez ART D/M + 16.371s
7. Antonio Felix da Costa Motopark D/V + 19.245s
8. Daniel Juncadella Prema D/M + 21.712s
9. Matias Laine Motopark D/V + 26.183s
10. Nicolas Marroc Prema D/M + 26.378s
11. Jimmy Eriksson Motopark D/V + 37.116s
12. Luis Jorge Sa Silva Motopark D/V + 1m07.132s
13. Jim Pla ART D/M + 1m15.664s
14. Carlos Munoz Mucke D/M + 1m16.203s
15. Sandro Zeller Jo Zeller D/M + 3 laps

Retirements:

Laurens Vanthoor Signature D/V 1 lap
Alexander Sims `ART D/M 0 laps