Norisring: Volkswagen race one report

Jean Karl Vernay in the points -- red flag due to rain

Wolfsburg (27 June 2009) Volkswagen driver Jean Karl Vernay finished Saturday's race of the Formula 3 Euro Series in Nuremberg in seventh place and thus scored two championship points. In the overall classification the 21-year-old Frenchman from the Signature team ranks in third place. The race at the Norisring was marked by an accident on the first lap -- as many as four Volkswagen drivers, Mika Maki (Finland), Brendon Hartley (New Zealand), Johan Jokinen (Denmark) and Tiago Geronimi (Brazil), retired -- and sudden rainfalls. The race directors red-flagged the round and allowed the teams to switch to rain tyres. The race was restarted but flagged off behind the safety car as the maximum duration of 30 minutes had been reached after just 20 laps. Victory went to Jules Bianchi (France/Dallara-Mercedes).

Nick Tandy new in Team Kolles & Heinz Union

The Briton Nick Tandy is a new driver in Volkswagen's partner team Kolles & Heinz Union. As of the race at the Norisring the 24-year-old Briton takes over the cockpit from Carlo van Dam, who left the Trier-based squad by mutual agreement. Tandy also contests the British Formula 3 Championship this year in which he has scored one victory so far.

ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup
Polo rookie beats favourites: Hacklander on pole

Wolfsburg (27 June 2009) Newcomer Maximilian Hacklander caused a big sensation by taking the pole position for the fourth round of the ADAC Volkswagen Polo Cup at the Norisring. The 19-year-old from Ruthen set the fastest time of 1m 07.939s, relegating both local hero Elia Erhart and leader of the standings Maciek Steinhof to places two and three. "I like slippery conditions, I've had plenty of opportunities to practice that in kart and slalom racing," revealed the driver from Westphalia who will have strong rivals on his heels in the race. "Of course it's cool to be standing in front of the favourites - but I suppose I won't be seeing that in quite as relaxed a manner after the start. But I do want to finish, and hopefully as the best rookie."

Kris Heidorn from Wunstorf, another touring car rookie, and Ferenc Nagy from Nuremberg took positions four and five as the track was drying off. Guest entrant Freddie Hunt, son of former Formula 1 World Champion James Hunt, will start from 13th place on the grid on Sunday.

-credit: vw