Macau, China, 16 Nov – Keisuke Kunimoto, the 19 year-old Japanese driver, Saturday won the 55th Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix in a Dallara Toyota of Tom’s Team, followed by Italian driver Edoardo Mortara, in a Volkswagen and New Zealander Brendon Hartley in a Dallara Mercedes.
Tokyo-born Kunimoto, who raced for the first time in Macau, came in second in Formula 3 Japan 2008, and in 2007 finished in first in Formula Challenge Japan and second in Formula Toyota Series.
Kunimoto started in second place on the grid and is the second Japanese driver to win the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix after compatriot Takuma Sato won back in 2001.
Edoardo Mortara, 21 years old, started in pole position and was overtaken by Kunimoto soon after the race was restarted after an accident on lap three.
This is the second time Mortara raced in Macau after finishing 11th in 2007.
In 2008, the Genoa, Italian-born driver came in second in the Formula 3 Euro Series and in 2007 came in 8th place overall.
Third place went to 19 year-old Brendon Hartley, who raced for the second time in Macau. In 2007, Hartley came in 12th place.
The New Zealander came in third place in the 2008 British Formula 3.
A total of 30 cars took part, thought only 20 of them finished the race after a series of accidents that ruined the hopes of favourites such as Brazil’s Roberto Streit, Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson and Holland’s Carlo van Dam.
Results of the Formula 3 Macau Grand Prix:
1. Keisuke Kunimoto Tom’s Team Dallara-Toyota Toms 15 laps
2. Edoardo Mortara Signature-Plus Dallara-Volkswagen +1.710secs
3. Brendon Hartley Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes +4.006secs
4. Mika Maki Signature-Plus Dallara-Volkswagen +8.442secs
5. Renger van der Zande Prema Powerteam Dallara-Mercedes +10.276secs
6. Laurens Vanthoor RC Motorsport Dallara-Volkswagen +12.975secs
7. Oliver Turvey Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes +13.134secs
8. Walter Grubmuller Hitech Racing Dallara-Mercedes +14.695secs
9. Jules Bianchi ART Grand Prix Dallara-Mercedes +18.725secs
10. Jaime Alguersuari Carlin Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes +20.801secs
11. Jon Lancaster Manor Dallara-Mercedes +20.898secs
12. James Jakes ART Grand Prix Dallara-Mercedes +21.418secs
13. Cheng Cong Fu Signature-Plus Dallara-Volkswagen +22.404secs
14. Max Chilton Hitech Racing Dallara-Mercedes +22.604secs
15. Kei Cozzolino NOW Motorsport Dallara-Toyota Toms +23.270secs
16. Kazuya Oshima Manor Dallara-Mercedes +23.930secs
17. Daniel Campos-Hull HBR Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes +24.997secs
18. Atte Mustonen Raikkonen Robertson Racing Dallara-Mercedes +33.744secs
19. Nicola de Marco RC Motorsport Dallara-Volkswagen +46.527secs
20. Michael Ho Raikkonen Robertson Racing Dallara-Mercedes +51.739secs
In the last event of the 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship, which also took place today in Macau, France’s Yvan Muller was the winner in a Seat Leon TDI, after coming in third and second places in the first two legs of the race.
The first leg of the race was won by Switzerland’s Alain Menu in a Chevrolet Lacetti, followed by the UK’s Andy Priaulx, in a BMW 320si and Muller.
The second leg of the 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship was won by the UK’s Robert Huff in a Chevrolet Lacetti, followed by Muller and Priaulx.
(MacauNews)
