Winkelhock's race one win
Markus Winkelhock had things all his own way in the first of this weekend's F3 Euroseries races at Magny Cours today (Saturday). The German shot into the lead from second on the grid at the start and was never challenged, as his rivals simply couldn't keep up
The Mucke Motorsport driver's job was made easier after pole-sitter Alexandros Margaritis (MB Racing Performance) undid all his hard work in qualifying by stalling on the line. Fortunately, the entire field managed to file past without hitting the Greek driver, though that will come as little consolation to Margaritis.
Christian Klien (Mucke Motorsport) also found trouble - or more precisely Adam Carroll - at the start. Carroll (KMS) attempted to pass Klien going into the first turn, but clipped the back of Klien's car, pitching the Austrian into the gravel. Carroll continued, but was to retire later with mechanical dramas.
Behind Winkelhock, Olivier Pla (ASM) jumped into second from fifth on the grid, closely followed by Fabio Carbone (Signature Plus). Pla appeared to struggle for grip in the cold conditions, but Carbone could never get enough of a run to make a pass.
The top order remained largely static for the whole event, with Robert Kubica (Prema Powerteam) coming home fourth ahead of Nicolas Lapierre (Signature Plus). Nico Rosberg (Team Rosberg) was the only front-runner to do any passing, slipping by Richard Lietz (HBR Motorsport) and Simon Abadie (LD Autosport) on his way to sixth.
Aside from the start, the most dramatic moment was an off for Alexandre Premat (ASM), who lost his rear wing after heavy contact with the barriers, causing a lengthy mid-race caution period.
Timo Glock (KMS) and new champion Ryan Briscoe (Prema Powerteam) put on an entertaining charge through the field after both hit problems in qualifying, although the safety car ensured neither would get far enough to trouble the points scorers. They finished 13th and 14th respectively. Briton Jamie Green (Kolles) came home 10th.
Markus Winkelhock Mucke Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes
Olivier Pla ASM Dallara-Mercedes
Fabio Carbone Signature Plus Dallara-Sodemo
Robert Kubica Prema Powerteam Dallara-Opel
Nicolas Lapierre Signature Plus Dallara-Sodemo
Nico Rosberg Team Rosberg Dallara-Opel
Richard Lietz HBR Motorsport Dallara-Opel
Simon Abadie LD Autosport Dallara-Mugen
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