Formula European Masters

Pau: Volkswagen weekend summary

Mortara and Volkswagen clinch first win in Formula 3 Euro Series Wolfsburg - Maiden win and sole lead of the standings: at the renowned city street race in Pau (F) Edoardo Mortara clinched his first victory of the season as well as the first ...

Published: Jun 1, 2008, 6:11 PM

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Mortara and Volkswagen clinch first win in Formula 3 Euro Series

Wolfsburg - Maiden win and sole lead of the standings: at the renowned city street race in Pau (F) Edoardo Mortara clinched his first victory of the season as well as the first racing exploit for Volkswagen as an engine supplier in the Formula 3 Euro Series. At the season's third event the Italian celebrated second place in Saturday's race, which he topped with a commanding victory in the race on Sunday. For Volkswagen, Mortara's triumph in the rain marks a historic event: for the first time since its return to Formula 3 as an engine supplier, the four-cylinder engine from the Volkswagen Group that delivers approximately 210 hp of power claimed victory -- and as early as on the seventh race weekend since its Euro Series debut in September 2007 at that.

In Saturday's race on the demanding city street circuit at the foot of the Pyrenees, which required full concentration and discipline as the track was drying off, behind the runner-up, Edoardo Mortara, his Signature team-mates Franck Mailleux in fourth place and newcomer Robert Wickens in ninth, completed the top-class team result for Signature. The race on Sunday, as well, resulted in ample points for the Volkswagen drivers: again racing on a track that was wet from rain, Mortara in the 40-minute round, to which the top eight of the day before had started in reverse order, consistently made up ground after having started from seventh place on the grid before capturing the lead about halfway through the race. The Frenchman Franck Mailleux, who came fifth, scored points at his home round as well.

After three of ten events Mortara shows an impressively consistent performance: at each of the past races at Hockenheim (D), Mugello (I) and Pau (F) the 21-year-old from the Signature team was on the podium at least once and, with a 14-point advantage, now has the clear overall lead.

Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director:

"The first victory of the Formula 3 engine from the Volkswagen Group is a special exploit. Pau was a positive weekend in every respect. By delivering top ten results at all qualifying sessions we consistently showed how competitive our engine is. The pinnacle was Edoardo Mortara's victory at Sunday's race and the way in which it happened. This win did not come easily to Edoardo but was clinched by him pushing hard to make up ground from seventh on the grid. The interaction between the team, the driver, the chassis and the engine was perfect. That Edoardo extended his lead of the standings is an additional reward."

#7 - Edoardo Mortara (I), Volkswagen Dallara F308, Team Signature
Qualifying: place 2 - race 1: place 2 - race 2: place 1

"Having clinched my first victory this season as well as giving Volkswagen a historic victory in the process makes me very happy. My car was simply perfect throughout the weekend and the Volkswagen engine with its very good driveability supported me perfectly in my fight to make up ground in Sunday's race. Leading the standings with a 14-point advantage is a comfortable situation at the moment."

#8 - Franck Mailleux (F) - Volkswagen Dallara F308 - Team Signature
Qualifying: place 5 - race 1: place 4 - race 2: place 5

"The performance level we've achieved by now is definitely promising. The Volkswagen engine was perfectly suited for the difficult and demanding city street circuit in Pau. In both races I was able to keep the pace of the front runners, but I restrained myself both on Saturday and Sunday to keep from taking any unnecessary risks. The two points finishes are a nice reward for this."

#35 - Robert Wickens (CDN) - Volkswagen Dallara F308 - Team Signature
Qualifying: place 20 - race 1: place 9 - race 2: place 8

"The Formula 3 Euro Series is a very tough championship and Pau isn't necessarily the easiest circuit for a debut. But finishing the first race in ninth place, and the second in eighth makes me feel optimistic about the upcoming events. Particularly in the first race I was able to make up a few positions. In future, I want to improve and finish in the points."

-credit: volkswagen-motorsport.com

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