Edoardo Mortara on the podium

Formula 3 Euro Series driver Jean Karl Vernay (Signature) has won the qualification race for the traditional Macau Grand Prix. At the 6.12 kilometres long Guia circuit, he led home Marcus Ericsson (Tom’s) and his own team-mate Edoardo Mortara (Signature).

Fourth place went to Finn Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix), reigning rookie champion in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Thus, French team Signature brought two of its drivers into the top three. The top ten of the qualification race included six drivers from the ranks of the Formula 3 Euro Series.

Macau novice Jean Karl Vernay overtook Ericsson on lap four on the way to Lisboa and held on to the lead until the finish. Because of a collision between Wayne Boyd (Hitech Racing) and Mika Mäki (Hitech Racing), after which Boyd crashed into the barrier, the race was finished behind the safety car. On the first lap already, reigning Formula 3 Euro Series champion Jules Bianchi (ART Grand Prix) saw his hopes of victory being blown away. He collided with Mortara, had to pit and eventually was classified 21st.

Jean Karl Vernay (Signature): “My start was good, but I had no chance against Marcus Ericsson on the way to Lisboa. On the other hand, I had a great slipstream after the restart and was able to overtake him. It was good for me that the race ended behind the safety car, because like that, Marcus had no opportunity to attack me once again.”

Edoardo Mortara (Signature): “I had contact twice on the opening lap, fortunately without any damage for me. There was another difficult moment when I overtook Marcus Ericsson, not having seen the yellow flags. After that, my team told me to let him past again.”

Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix): “I was slightly pushed to the outside on the first few metres and Edoardo Mortara was able to overtake me as a result. Generally, I have the impression that we are lacking some top speed on the straights. Still, I hope that I will be able to battle for victory tomorrow.”

 Air temperature: 15.1 °C
Track temperature: 22.7 °C 

MORTARA TAKES PODIUM IN MACAU F3 QUALIFICATION RACE

Edoardo Mortara made a competitive return to race action in today’s Macau F3 qualification race, guiding his Volkswagen-powered Dallara chassis to third place with the final three laps of the race held under safety car conditions.

Mortara, who started the 10-lap race from fourth on the grid, got away from the line well but endured drama on the opening lap after Jules Bianchi hit his left rear wheel at the San Francisco bend. Mortara was able to continue, but sustained some damage to his car after the knock which subsequently affected his race pace.

The 22-year-old Signature driver who won the 2008 Macau qualification race, Volkswagen’s first F3 race win at Macau since 1990, displayed his usual grit and determination to challenge Marcus Ericsson for second place. Although he was able to get past on lap eight, it was under yellow flags, so he was forced to concede the position just as the safety car was deployed, where it remained until the chequered flag.

Today’s result ensures Mortara will line up in third place for tomorrow’s main event, the 15-lap Macau F3 race, the jewel in the crown of the Formula 3 racing season.

“It is a great feeling to get a podium in Macau even if we were unfortunately not able to fight for victory in today’s qualification race,” commented Mortara. “I got away quite well from fourth on the grid but as we went through San Francisco I was hit from behind by another car. Thankfully I was able to continue, but the balance of the car had changed a bit. I was still able to fight hard with Ericsson for second place and I managed to get by on lap eight. However, I didn’t realise the yellow flags were out so I had to let him past again in accordance with the rules.

“It was right after that when the safety car came out and stayed out until the end of the race, so I had to settle for third place. I’d like to thank Volkswagen and Signature for providing such a competitive package, which was proven by them taking the win today, but I will be doing all I can to claim the victory for them in tomorrow’s main race. There is some tough competition this year so I am sure it will be a closely-fought race, but I am confident we can do it.”

source: f3euroseries.com