Since the Brands Hatch round the gap between Raffaele Marciello (Prema Powerteam) and Felix Rosenqvist (kftzeile24 Mücke Motorsport) has continued to shrink. With four rounds still to go (Nürburgring, Zandvoort, Vallelunga and Hockenheim), in other words 12 races, only 24.5 points separate the first and second-placed drivers in the championship. 

 

Thus, for both of them the Nürburgring event is of crucial importance after the month’s break. Marciello, whose score card reads seven victories, 12 top-3 finishes and five pole positions, is still firmly installed in the lead, but the Ferrari Driver Academy protégé really needs to gain a psychological advantage over his rivals as was the case in the early part of the championship. “The team and I have used the summer break to do a lot of work in order to get back on the victory trail,” says the Italian. “At the Nürburgring we want our revenge so our aim is to win all three races!” 

 

Felix Rosenqvist’s outlook has undergone a sea change since he’s got back in the title chase. The Swede is feeling pretty optimistic, as he will be racing on a circuit that he likes very much, and on which the kftzeile24 Mücke Motorsport squad has always been very quick. “I’ve prepared hard for this round especially in terms of my physical fitness,” smiles Rosenqvist. “I know that fighting for a place in the top three and victory isn’t going to be easy, but that’s always been the case in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. My main aim, though, is to continue to close the gap to Raffaele Marciello.”  

 

Behind these two the situation is also very indecisive. Thanks to his second win of the season Alex Lynn (Prema Powerteam) has got the better of his team-mate Lucas Auer (Prema Powerteam). The English driver is in third place in the championship in front of the Austrian. Fifth is Harry Tincknell (Carlin) and he is trying to get back in the groove after a good start to the season with a win at Silverstone.

 

On a circuit on which former F3 driver Sebastian Vettel won the German F1 Grand Prix at the beginning of July, a few young chargers will also be out to make their mark. Jordan King, who took the lead in the British F3 Championship a few days ago, is gunning for his first win in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship, like Félix Serralles (Fortec).

 

As at each round there are three races on the programme: the first two on Saturday 17th August at 13h10 and 18h20, and the third on Sunday 18th August at 11h00.