Reigning Macau Grand Prix winner Daniel Juncadella won a chaotic opening European F3 Championship race this afternoon, but may yet lose it in the stewards room.
The Spaniard was running 2nd behind Mücke Motorsport’s Pascal Wehrlein on lap 39, when he missed his braking point into the sharp turn one, slipping into the side of the innocent Wehrlein.
It was the second time the pair have clashed this season, following on from their clash at Pau in May, which took both out.
On this occasion, Juncadella continued, while Wehrlein dropped to 6th spot, although he may have fallen further had it not been for an immediate call for the safety car.
Following that, Juncadella suffered yet another collision – this time with title challenger Raffaele Marciello, causing the latter to spin into the unforgiving wall, breaking his front wing.
Juncadella again continued; however Marciello made only another corner before sliding into the wall at the exit of turn three, this time destroying his Prema Powerteam machine.
With both Wehrlein and Marciello removed from the action, Juncadella inherited the lead – and the win when the red flag was introduced at the end of lap 42.
Stewards announced the investigation into the accidents as the race ended; although the evidence at this stage may see the Spaniard lose his victory.
Will Buller came home in 2nd spot, while Emil Bernstorff took his first podium of the season in 3rd.
[more to follow…]
