Hulkenberg dominates at Nurburgring
Nico Hulkenberg charged back onto terms at the head of the Formula 3 Euro Series with a dominant victory at Nurburgring today
The German, who lost ground when he was excluded from first place at Zandvoort last time out, took the lead at the start when polesitter Christian Vietoris stalled and cruised to a comfortable seven-second victory over his ART Grand Prix teammate Jules Bianchi.
"To win is never easy," said Hulkenberg. "Especially when you have such a big gap because you have to stay focused and it's easy to lose concentration.
"But it's nice to be leading when you're quicker than everyone else and you can just drive away from them."
Bianchi had started fourth, but beat Tom Dillman off the line and also benefitted from Vietoris's fluffed getaway.
Dillman kept Mika Maki at arm's length throughout the race to claim a podium on his series return for Jo Zeller Racing.
Behind Maki, Renger van der Zande was a lonely fifth ahead of Daniel Ricciardo, who was sixth on his F3 debut. Jon Lancaster saw off a spirited attack from Niall Breen to hold seventh and the pair will form the front row for tomorrow's race with Breen on pole.
Elsewhere, championship leader Edoardo Mortara retired in the pits at the end of a chaotic first lap. Dani Clos and Erik Janis also had to call it day with damage to their cars, while Sam Bird rejoined after pitting for repairs following a first corner clash.
Vietoris was also forced to retire later in the race when he lost his rear wing in an accident with James Jakes, who also stalled at the start.
The pair were attempting to make their way back up the order when Jakes lost control under braking for the final chicane and clattered over the back of the German's Mucke Motorsport car.
Pos Driver Team Car Gap
1. Nico Hulkenberg ART D/M 41:11.039
2. Jules Bianchi ART D/M +6.748
3. Tom Dillmann Jo Zeller D/M +9.047
4. Mika Maki Mucke D/M +9.878
5. Renger van der Zande Prema D/M +17.767
6. Daniel Ricciardo SG D/M +23.337
7. Jon Lancaster ART D/M +27.771
8. Niall Breen Manor D/M +29.040
9. Stefano Coletti Prema D/M +33.458
10. Richard Philippe Carlin D/M +33.526
11. Kazuya Oshima Manor D/M +34.041
12. Robert Wickens Signature D/V +40.689
13. Jean-Karl Vernay Signature D/V +43.802
14. Yann Clairay SG D/M +44.853
15. Henkie Waldschmidt SG D/M +47.055
16. Jens Klingmann RC D/V +48.306
17. Martin Plowman RC D/V +54.669
18. Franck Mailleux Signature D/V +55.311
19. Basil Shaaban HBR D/M +1:11.060
20. Daniel Campos-Hull HBR D/M +1:15.034
21. Rodolfo Gonzalez Carlin D/M +1:15.848
22. Sam Bird Manor D/M +1 lap
23. Cheng Cong Fu RC D/V +1 lap
24. James Jakes ART D/M +3 laps
Retirements
Koudai Tsukakoshi Manor D/M 17 laps
Christian Vietoris Mucke D/M 8 laps
Brendon Hartley RC D/V 5 laps
Erik Janis Mucke D/M 1 lap
Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V 1 lap
Dani Clos Prema D/M 1 lap
Fastest lap, Hulkenberg 1:24.296 on lap 7
D/M = Dallara Mercedes, D/V = Dallara Volkswagen
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