ATS Formel 3 Cup – First pole position for Indy Dontje

13 drivers from nine countries kicked off the last racing weekend of the 2014 ATS Formula 3 Cup season under sunny skies. The Hockenheimring hosted the German Formula 3 for the second time this year, this time in the support programme of the ADAC GT Masters. All eyes are on the contenders for the rookie and runner-up titles. Neckarsulm-based Markus Pommer has already decided the championship in his favour at the previous racing weekend. Dutchman Indy Dontje from Team Lotus handled the 4,574-km track best in today’s qualifying session, claiming his first pole position of the season. Motopark’s Nabil Jeffri clocked the second fastest time, followed by Pommer.

Markus Pommer could sit back and relax, the 23-year old from Neckarslulm (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen) wrapped up the championship at the last racing weekend. This weekend, the winner of both the rookie and the runner-up title will be crowned. Hot contenders are Malaysian Nabil Jeffri (Motopark / Dallara F311 Volkswagen), Briton Sam MacLeod (Van Amersfoort Racing / Dallara F311 Volkswagen) and Dutchman Indy Dontje (Lotus / Dallara F311 Volkswagen). The latter cruised along the track and showed the others how it is done. The 21-year old scored the fastest lap (1:34.249 min.) in the qualifying session and will have clear visibility for the first time this season. Jeffri will be alongside him and battle for crucial points. New champion, Markus Pommer claimed the third fastest time.

Dane Nicolas Beer (Eurointernational / Dallara F311 Mercedes) put in a fantastic performance in his ATS Formula 3 Cup debut. Grabbing sixth, he did a great job in a grid of 13 competitors from nine countries. Konstantin Tereschenko from Moscow (ADM Motorsport / Dallara F311 Volkswagen) also tests himself in the high-profile grid for the first time this weekend. He will take ninth on the grid. Swiss Nicolaj Rogivue (Franz Wöss Racing / Dallara F311 OPC) took 12th place for his debut. So far he only has experience in karting.

Race 1 will start at 2.50 p.m. on Saturday. The young drivers will contest race 2 on Sunday at 10.45 and the final at 4.50 p.m. Live timing and a live stream will again be available for all races in the support programme of the ADAC GT Masters at www.formel3.de.

Indy Dontje: “I found my speed again. My engineer told me that I set the pole when I got out of the car. That was a fantastic feeling.”
Nabil Jeffri: “I am a little disappointed because I know that I’m quick. I could have set pole for both races. I trust myself and I am confident that I will finish first tomorrow.”
Markus Pommer: “I couldn’t get any faster today, the times were really tight. We had a little understeering in the car. I had no slip stream either which is really important here.”