Pla takes first win in chaotic race
Jim Pla scored his maiden Formula 3 Euro Series victory from ninth on the grid in an eventful second race at Oschersleben
The French ART driver worked his way up from ninth to second in the early laps, and he pursued pole-sitter Carlos Munoz (Mucke) from then on. Pla then took the lead with just three laps remaining, when Munoz locked up and went off at Turn 5 after hitting a kerb.
Pla got himself up to fourth on a chaotic opening lap. He was demoted to fifth by Motopark's charging Antonio Felix da Costa on lap two, but he capitalised on a collision between the Portuguese driver and Valtteri Bottas (ART) two laps later to take third.
He then snatched second place from championship frontrunner Marco Wittmann (Signature) at the first corner on lap 11, and from then on set about harassing Munoz.
The race leader appeared to have things under control, as he sustained Pla's pressure all the way to his lap 27 error. He rejoined from his off in fifth place, but came into the pits to retire with a heavily damaged front left tyre.
Wittmann took second, while Nicolas Marroc avoided all of the carnage to take his second podium finish of the season for Prema.
Plenty of the usual frontrunners hit trouble during the race. Newly-crowned champion Edoardo Mortara retired on lap one after he damaged his Signature Dallara-VW in a collision with ART's Alexander Sims at the start.
Mucke's Roberto Merhi was another one to suffer on lap one, as he locked up and went straight on at the first corner when challenging the frontrunners.
Pos Driver Team Car Time/Gap 1. Jim Pla ART D/M 40m26.450s 2. Marco Wittmann Signature D/V + 2.151s 3. Nicolas Marroc Prema D/M + 3.851s 4. Laurens Vanthoor Signature D/V + 4.373s 5. Renger van der Zande Motopark D/V + 15.697s 6. Daniel Juncadella Prema D/M + 16.105s 7. Tobias Hegewald Motopark D/V + 22.784s 8. Alexander Sims ART D/M + 1 lap 9. Roberto Merhi Mucke D/M + 1 lap Retirements: Carlos Munoz Mucke D/M 27 laps Valtteri Bottas ART D/M 23 laps Matias Laine Motopark D/V 14 laps Antonio Felix da Costa Motopark D/V 14 laps Edoardo Mortara Signature D/V 0 laps
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