News

17 May 09

Christian Vietoris opens F3 Euro Series season with podium finish

Gravity driver Christian Vietoris kicked off his 2009 campaign this weekend as the F3 Euro Series got underway in Hockenheim, the traditional venue for the season opener round of the most competitive young-gun series. As a consistent front runner in last year’s championship, Christian will be looking to succeed reigning champion Nico Hülkenberg.

Tenth in Saturday morning’s qualifying session, the Mücke Motorsport driver ended afternoon’s race 1 in 7^th place, a result which provided him with a front row spot on Sunday’s reverse grid. The young German fought hard for most of the race with Jean-Karl Vernay, the Frenchman eventually claiming his maiden victory in the series, beating Vietoris by a second.

“In Saturday’s race I got the better of Bottas when he stalled on the grid and had a good first lap, passing another driver but it isn’t all that easy to overtake here at Hockenheim and I finally inherited 7^th place after another car broke down. But that also provided me with a first row spot for race 2, and a good chance for victory. I had a fairly good run off the front line and maintained my position but Vernay, who made a storming start from the third row, passed all of us and took the lead. The two of us opened up a gap and raced each other until the middle part of the race. I tried my best to put him under pressure but in the end I just couldn’t pass him. That said, 2^nd is a good result and a good start to the season as it proves that we will definitely be contenders for the title. And I’ll do my best to confirm that in two weeks at the Lausitzring.”