Edoardo Mortara wins Macau Grand Prix

Edoardo Mortara (Signature) has won the traditional Macau Grand Prix, the world’s most prestigious Formula 3 race. Together with Jean Karl Vernay (Signature), the Signature team, a regular entrant in the Formula 3 Euro Series, scored a 1-2 at the 6.12 kilometres long Guia circuit.

For engine partner Volkswagen, it is the first victory in Macau after the manufacturer’s return to Formula 3. With Sam Bird (ART Grand Prix) in third place, drivers from the Formula 3 Euro Series locked out the podium.

The race started with a huge pile-up that required an interruption. Soon after the re-start, Jean Karl Vernay claimed the lead, but he couldn’t pull away from Mortara. On lap twelve, the Italian made a successful attack on the Frenchman and drove an undisputed victory home. Behind the Signature duo, Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix) was third for a long time, until his left rear wheel got loose on the final lap. Thus, Sam Bird inherited third position. Bottas, reigning rookie champion of the Formula 3 Euro Series, dropped back to fifth behind Marcus Ericsson (Tom’s).

Edoardo Mortara (Signature): “It is fantastic. I just don’t know what to say. I am so happy to have won here after a really difficult season in GP2. Beating Jean Karl wasn’t easy this weekend as he has been doing a great job.”

Jean Karl Vernay (Signature): “I have made a slight error while changing gear coming out of the Melco hairpin. That cost me victory. Second place is a good result, too, but having been in the lead for twelve of 15 laps, you also want to win. Still, I am happy with the 1-2 for my team Signature.”

Sam Bird (ART Grand Prix): “Last year, my race was over after a few minutes already because an opponent had run into my car. This year, I really wanted the success that was on the cards in 2008 already. Just like Edoardo, I didn’t have an easy year either. My results weren’t what I had expected. I am all the more happy with my podium finish here in Macau.”

Air temperature: 19.7 °C
Track temperature: 28.3 °C 

22-year-old French-Italian driver Edoardo Mortara has today claimed a sensational maiden victory in the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix, expertly beating his team-mate into second place for an historic Signature-Volkswagen 1-2. 

Mortara, starting from third on the grid after a brilliant podium in yesterday’s qualification race, took the lead early on but the race was soon red-flagged after a series of incidents throughout the field.

Mortara was on top in Macau

The race was restarted under the safety car around 20 minutes later with Mortara at the head of the pack, but he lost the lead shortly after the safety car came in as his team-mate took control of the race.

The Volkwagen-powered Signature drivers were inseparable for most of the race, exchanging a series of fastest laps with Mortara setting the fastest lap of the race, 2m10.732s on lap 10.

Just two laps later Mortara seized an opportunity to regain the lead and never looked back. With just a handful of laps remaining, Mortara signalled his intentions by setting the fastest middle sector and he eventually took the chequered flag with a 1.1 second advantage.

It was Mortara’s first Macau win and a welcome boost to his morale after a difficult season in Formula 1’s feeder series, GP2 in 2009. The Macau race is the highlight of the Formula 3 season and has been the turning point in the careers of many established Formula 1 drivers.

“I am thrilled to take this wonderful victory,” said Mortara.

“It was a tough race but it was really fun. I got a great start and was feeling really confident when the red flags were waved and the race was suspended. Unfortunately, I got caught out on the first lap of the restart but I was able to keep pace with my team-mate and I think we put on a good show. The pace was really good and I was able to start putting in some really quick times in the final laps.”

”I was able to close the gap enough and I took the chance to get by heading into Lisboa. After that I just kept my head down all the way to the chequered flag. I cannot thank Signature and Volkswagen enough for giving me such a competitive package this weekend and I am overjoyed to be able to share this fantastic win with them.”

Signature team boss Philippe Sinault added: “What a race for Signature, for Volkswagen and for Edo. I am so pleased to see him take his first ever Macau victory and to lead a fantastic Signature-Volkswagen 1-2 today. He has put in such a dedicated and professional performance all weekend and it really is a case of third time lucky. He is a true star and the way he composed himself in today’s race proves he is one to watch for the future.”

source:  f3euroseries.com / Quadrasport