Championship leader Marvin Kirchhöfer will start race one and race three from the pole position again. Setting the fastest and second fastest time in today’s qualifying session, the driver from Leipzig continues his good run. Sebastian Balthasar left his competitors in the Trophy ranking of the ATS Formula 3 Cup behind him. He will have to defend his narrow lead of one point in the overall standings this weekend. The roller coaster of the Sachsenring is the setting for the fourth racing weekend of the ATS Formula 3 Cup, with 16 young talents competing.
All drivers still recall the fog at the Nürburgring. However, the qualifying session took place in sunshine and hot temperatures at the 3.645-km Sachsenring. Marvin Kirchhöfer from Leipzig (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) set the fastest time right from the start. The title contender took the pole position for race one in 1:13.720 minutes. Setting the second fastest time too, he is also the pole sitter in the third race. Briton Emil Bernstorff (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine), who celebrates his 20th birthday today, will start the first race from the second place. His time set: 1:14.020 minutes. American Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) set the third fastest time (1:14.408 minutes). The Californian will start the third race from the second place, Thomas Jäger from Vienna (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) from the third place.
Trophy leader stays on top
Sebastian Balthasar from Cologne (GU-Racing / Dallara F311 Mercedes) focusses on extending his narrow lead of one point over his team-mate Freddy Killensberger (GU-Racing / Dallara F307 OPC-Challenge) this weekend. His fastest time of 1:17.465 minutes, set in the qualifying session of the Trophy ranking, is a good foundation. Setting the second fastest time of 1:18.039 minutes, the driver from Wortelstetten is pushing from behind; Hubertus-Carlos Vier from Inching (ADAC Team Nordbayern / Dallara F307 Mercedes) grabbed the third place, in 1:18.071 minutes.
Marvin Kirchhöfer: “I am very happy that everything is going so smoothly and that I will start from the pole position again tomorrow. I will do my best to defend this position.”
Emil Bernstorff: “It was my first time in the car on this track and it is a unique little track compared to the other ones we go to. It is basically one long corner and it takes a little bit getting used to. It’s a tricky session.”
Gustavo Menezes: “I was able to improve from practice. I am really happy with this and it is a good place to race for the win.”
Sebastian Balthasar: “I am very happy. Everything worked out great. The car ran very well. And I got the double pole! This is just the best possible result.”