Lausitz: Volkswagen race one report

Volkswagen driver Vernay on podium -- Hartley fourth

Wolfsburg (30 May 2009) Jean Karl Vernay from France clinched third place at Saturday's race in the Formula 3 Euro Series at the EuroSpeedway. The Frenchman from Volkswagen's partner team Signature recovered one position after starting from fourth on the grid and put pressure on the rivals in front of him throughout the 24-lap race but there was no getting past them. In the overall standings he ranks as the runner-up behind Jules Bianchi (France/Dallara-Mercedes), who won the race. Red Bull Junior Brendon Hartley (New Zealand/Carlin Motorsport) advanced to fourth place from position seven on the grid and thus clinched his first championship points of the season. "Rookie" Tiago Geronimi (Brazil) from the Signature team in ninth place barely missed a points-finish while his team-mate Mika Maki showed a remarkable recovery. After slipping in qualifying the Finn had to start from 28th place and advanced to twelfth.

Jokinen new at Kolles & Heinz Union - identical colour markings

The Volkswagen partner team Kolles & Heinz Union has completed its line-up. The 18-year-old Dane Johan Jokinen will fill the cockpit of the second Dallara F308 Volkswagen alongside Carlo van Dam, contesting all further races of the Formula 3 Euro Series as of the EuroSpeedway event. Another novelty: The Formula 3 racing cars fitted with Volkswagen engines are now easier to recognise by spectators at the venue as well as by TV viewers. All seven cars are now equipped with a white roll-over bar and white rear-view mirrors.

ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup
Maciek Steinhof quickest in qualifying at the EuroSpeedway

Maciek Steinhof continues his string of exploits in the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup: After winning at Hockenheim two weeks ago, the 23-year-old from Poland now set the best time in qualifying, thus securing the pole positions for both races at the EuroSpeedway. The Swede Simon Reinberth took second place; touring car rookie Kris Heidorn from Wunstorf and Elia Erhart from Nuremberg are on the second row.

-credit: vw