It was an exciting battle. All eyes were on Artem Markelov and Emil Bernstorff at the final race of the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup season. In the two previous races of the weekend, the two Lotus drivers offered an exciting prelude to today’s thrilling final. 20 drivers from ten countries contested in front of 21,200 spectators. The weather remained unchanged at the 4.574-km Hockenheimring. Marvin Kirchhöfer took the victory in the Cup ranking. Sebastian Balthasar won the Trophy ranking.
The new champion Marvin Kirchhöfer on pole defended his place. Behind him were Briton Emil Bernstorff (both Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) and John Bryant-Meisner (Performance Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine). The driver from Sweden was passed by Russian Artem Markelov (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) in the first lap. American Gustavo Menezes (Van Amersfoort Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen Power Engine) was behind the top group and passed Bryant-Meisner later on. Bernstoff would have had to pass Kirchhöfer in order to secure the runner-up title. However, even using the push-to-pass system he did not succeed. The champion drove across the finish line first, followed by Bernstorff and Markelov, who secured the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup runner-up title in that instant with a five-point lead.
The champion wins the Trophy ranking
It was the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Trophy champion’s obligation to secure the victory in the final race of the season. The plan worked out. Sebastian Balthasar from Cologne (GU-Racing / Dallara F311 Mercedes) won the race, followed by the runner-up, Freddy Killensberger from Wortelstetten (GU-Racing / Dallara F307 OPC-Challenge), in second place and Swiss Thomas Amweg (CR Racing Team / Dallara F307 Mercedes) in third place.
Marvin Kirchhöfer: “This was certainly not an easy race. I was at the limit in every lap. Emil’s pace was out of this world. Even though I managed to break away a little the gap closed as soon as I made a small mistake.”
Emil Bernstorff: “I was off to a good start, but so was Marvin. He broke away a little and defended his place well. Perhaps I did not push hard enough in the beginning because I was worried for my tyres. But I am very pleased with my second place. Congratulations to Artem!”
Artem Markelov: “It is incredible. I just cannot believe it. I am very happy that I succeeded. I achieved my goal for this year. Now I will switch to the next class and try the same there.”
Sebastian Balthasar: “I am feeling great. It was a fantastic race. Everything worked according to plan. We were really strong in this race. It could not have worked out better!”
2013 SONAX Rookie ranking
Having scored 516 points, Marvin Kirchhöfer took the 2013 SONAX Rookie champion title at the third-to-last racing weekend. Gustavo Menezes secured his second place with 318 points. John Bryant-Meisner finished the season third in the ranking (283 points).
ATS Formula 3 Cup team ranking
Lotus celebrated their victory of the newly established team ranking at the third-to-last racing weekend. They have scored 518 points. Van Amersfoort Racing moved up to second place this weekend, having grabbed 341 points. Performance Racing follows in third place with one point less.
Points scored throughout the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup season (top ten):
1. Marvin Kirchhöfer / DEU 511
2. Artem Markelov / RUS 339
3. Emil Bernstorff / GBR 334
4. Gustavo Menezes / USA 241
5. John Bryant-Meisner / SWE 215
6. Thomas Jäger / AUT 117
7. Matteo Cairoli / ITA 112
8. Nabil Jeffri / MYS 79
9. Tomasz Krzeminski 69
10. Sebastian Balthasar / DEU 54
Off the track
It was a spectacular finish to the 2013 ATS Formula 3 Cup season. A large, international grid was testament to the high interest. Hubertus-Carlos Vier arrived in time for the qualifying session after completing a German test for the German interstate Abitur. Since he scored two podium finishes it was definitely worth it. Fans, friends and relatives of several drivers travelled to the track to properly celebrate the finish of the season. And while it is bittersweet to look back at the season, the clear focus is on 2014 now. The first details of the new calendar were fixed. The ATS Formula 3 Cup will open the season together with the ADAC GT Masters in Oschersleben at the last weekend of April. The final event of the season will take place at Hockenheim again, from September 19th to 21st. There are also plans for races at Sachsenring, Nürburgring, Lausitzring* and Red Bull Ring in Austria. Two additional races on foreign soil will make the calendar complete.
The ATS Formula 3 Cup on TV
The “ran racing” magazine programme on Kabel1 will include two minutes about the ATS Formula 3 Cup. The programme is broadcast on Monday mornings from 02.08 to 02.23 a.m., with a repeat on Tuesdays from 02.10 to 02.25 a.m. The Sport1 Magazine also shows four minutes of highlights. The programme will be shown on Saturday, October 5th, from 6.30 to 7.30 p.m. in conjunction with the ADAC GT Masters.
*= subject to the circuit approval by FIA/DMSB