Lucas Auer wins final F3 race at Hockenheim

Lucas Auer

Lucas Auer (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) concluded his second year in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship with his third victory of the season. British drivers Jordan King (Carlin) and Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) followed behind the 20-year-old Austrian. With this third place, Blomqvist also secured himself second place in the final drivers' standings of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Max Verstappen (Van Amersfoort Racing), who will be racing in Formula 1 for Toro Rosso next year, finished sixth in his final race in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship ahead of Ocon. Thus, the 17-year-old Dutchman ends up third in the final drivers' standings behind Esteban Ocon (Prema Powerteam), who was already crowned as the European Champion in Imola, and Blomqvist.

Initially, Tom Blomqvist took the lead, but after a few kilometers only, Lucas Auer already demoted him to second. Felix Rosenqvist (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) lost his third place to Jordan King on the opening lap. On the same lap, the safety car was deployed after Tatiana Calderon (Jo Zeller Racing) had missed her braking point before the hairpin and collected Felix Serralles (Team West-Tec F3) and Jules Szymkowiak (Van Amersfoort Racing). Calderon and Serralles retired, Szymkowiak continued after a pit stop.

Auer remained in the lead from Blomqvist and King at the restart. After only one lap, he was already 1.5 seconds clear of his first rival Blomqvist. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen tried to claim sixth place from Esteban Ocon. After a fierce battle, he eventually overtook the Frenchman on lap eleven and moved up to sixth.

In the closing stages, Jordan King found a way past Tom Blomqvist and took over second place from his fellow-Brit. Ahead of King, a buoyant Lucas Auer took the checkered flag as the winner of the race. Felix Rosenqvist and Antonio Giovinazzi (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin) safely brought their fourth and fifth place home while Max Verstappen crossed the finish line in sixth place from European Champion Esteban Ocon. Sean Galeal (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin), Edward Jones (Carlin) and Dennis van de Laar (Prema Powerteam) rounded out the top ten in the final race of the FIA Formula 3 European Championship season.

Lucas Auer (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport): "This was a beautiful race. I wanted first place at all cost and I managed to get it. The overtaking move on Tom Blomqvist wasn't so difficult, but I also had the impression that he wasn't too aggressive because he had the drivers' standings in mind, too. Soon after I had overtaken Tom, my car got stuck in third gear once again, but this time, it wasn't a big problem. Concluding the season with a victory and thus showing our potential is great."

Jordan King (Carlin): "My start was good and the first lap was very positive, too, because I was able to overtake Felix Rosenqvist. At the end of the race, I was also able to benefit from a mistake by Tom Blomqvist and take second place. I am happy with this end to my season."

Tom Blomqvist (Jagonya Ayam with Carlin): "Lucas Auer managed to overtake me on the opening lap with a good move. Generally, our pace wasn't as good as yesterday and therefore, there was nothing I could do against Lucas's attack. On the penultimate lap, I made a mistake and Jordan benefited from it. I am very happy with my second place in the drivers' standings and second place for my team Jagonya Ayam with Carlin in the teams' championship."

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