Valtteri Bottas repeats Masters victory

In front of a 43,000 strong crowd, Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix) has successfully defended his title in the RTL GP Masters of Formula 3. This made the best-placed rookie of the 2009 Formula 3 Euro Series, who is currently fourth overall in the drivers’ standings, the first driver in the 20-years’ history of Europe’s most important Formula 3 event to do so. Alexander Sims (ART Grand Prix) and Marco Wittmann (Signature) in second and third place completed the success of the Formula 3 Euro Series at the 4.307 kilometers long track in the North Sea dunes of Zandvoort.

A slight drizzle set in just before the start of the exciting and action-packed race. Apart from Roberto Merhi (Mücke Motorsport), all drivers on the first couple of grid rows opted for slick tires. After the start, which took place behind the safety car for safety reasons, the Spanish driver had the upper hand and soon took the lead. However, as the track dried out, he no longer had a chance. Alexander Sims and Valtteri Bottas overtook him. But the new leader Sims wasn’t able to hold on to his first place for a long time either and Bottas went past. In the remaining laps, the Finn drove a safe victory home.

Valtteri Bottas (ART Grand Prix): “It was a tough race, but now I am really happy. Winning the Masters for the second time was my goal for this weekend. Before the race, we opted for slicks, which turned out to be the right choice. It was close once or twice while lapping other drivers, but that is part of the game. After two wins at the Masters, I hope that I can now finally celebrate my maiden victory in the Formula 3 Euro Series."

Alexander Sims (ART Grand Prix): “I am not really happy with second place. Valtteri did a better job than me. I think that, on a wet track, it is easier to have somebody in front of you for orientation. After Valtteri had overtaken me, it was clear that making it up to the front again would be very difficult."

Marco Wittmann (Signature): “It wasn’t an easy race. I was third for a long time, but then a driver who was about to be lapped held me up, which allowed Edoardo to overtake me. After that, I tried to put him under pressure until I was able to overtake him again just before the end of the race."