Last weekend has been vivid for all Formula 3 fans. While the Formula 3 Euro Series mastered the daunting Brands Hatch Indy circuit, the German ATS Formel 3 Cup called in at the famous Nürburgring. Two events, two races each and four victories for Koni equipped F3 teams.

Highlight of last weekend was undoubtedly the third and fourth round of the Formula 3 Euro Series, which were held at Brands Hatch, as part of the ‘DTM goes UK’ event. Instead of the 2.3 mile Grand Prix track, the 1.2 mile Indy circuit played host for the ‘The hottest Touring Cars of the World’. That meant good news for the spectators, who could watch the Formula 3 car come past 55 times each race. But as far as the drivers concerns, they prefer the Grand Prix track, where overtaking is an opportunity, whereas races at the Indy circuit usually turn out into rather dull processions. This time was no different. That meant that qualification was essential for the final results.

During the last couple of weeks Koni Racing has been working steadily on testing the FSD damper system, in collaboration with Manor Motorsport. Therefore it came as no surprise that the Manor drivers James Jakes and Yelmer Buurman dominated right from the start. Buurman topped the time sheets in the first test session, closely followed by Jakes. The second session was in reversed order, with Buurman a mere 0,085 seconds behind. In free practice Buurman finished second behind Sebastien Buemi and this time the difference was only 0,008 seconds. But when things got really serious, it was James Jakes who claimed the pole, followed by fellow teammate and F3 rookie Franck Mailleux.

The latter was pushed off the track right at the green light, while Jakes had a mediocre start, allowing Romain Grosjean to take the lead. With virtually no overtaking maneuvers at all, is was Grosjean who claimed victory for ASM, followed by Jakes (Manor) and Kamui Kobayashi (ASM)

With the reversed starting order for the first eight finishers, Edoardo Mortara started from pole. The surprising Italian made no mistakes and claimed the first victory ever for an Italian driver in the Formula 3 Euro Series. Right behind him there was action aplenty, when Yelmer Buurman and Romain Grosjean tangled at Paddock Hill Bend, sending the Frenchman into the gravel trap. Buurman continued with a bend left front wheel, but the Dutchman motored on, defending his fourth position bravely. After 55 laps on a hot and sunny track, Mortara (Signature Plus) had claimed the top spot on the podium, with Sebastien Buemi (ASL Mücke) and Kamui Kobayashi next to him.

Meanwhile there was plenty of action at the Nürburgring, where the weather played a major role. Where over 200 touring cars fought there traditional 24 hours lasting battle on the famous ‘Nordschleife’, hampered by ferocious rain showers and thick fog, the ATS Formula 3 Cup restricted itself to the 3.2 mile ‘Grand Prix Strecke’. As ever, the Koni FSD teams Van Amersfoort Racing and JB Motorsport dominated the event, with Dutchman Carlo van Dam claiming his fourth pole-position for the first race, which he then dully won. Nico Verdonck (JB Motorsport) came home second, followed by Christian Vietoris.

The second heat showed Van Dam again on pole, but this time the Dutchman lost the race to the first corner to Frédéric Vervisch. In a brave effort to regain the lead, Van Dam overshot the corner and ran into the gravel trap.

By the time he was back on track, he was dead last, but Van Dam fought himself back to eighth. Meanwhile there was nobody who could put any pressure on the leading Belgian driver, who had a healthy lead of over 8 seconds when he took the chequered flag. Germans Christian Vietoris finished second, with Recardo Bruins Choi (Van Amersfoort Racing) claiming the remaining spot on the podium.

All in all, four Formula 3 races, four wins for Koni equipped cars and FSD dominating the German Series as before.