Volkswagen driver Mortara second in Grand Prix of Macau

Successful season end for Volkswagen in Formula 3: The Italian Edoardo Mortara finished in an outstanding second place in a Dallara Volkswagen F308 at the Grand Prix of Macau. Finn Mika Mäki and also Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium completed the excellent record for Volkswagen drivers at the toughest and, at the same time, the world’s most prestigious Formula 3 race. Congfu Cheng, the first Chinese ever to take the start in the Formula 3 race around the legendary street circuit, finished 13th after a strong drive. A total of 30 drivers representing 14 nations and engines from four manufacturers formed the grid.

Edoardo Mortara, 2008 Formula 3 Series runner-up with Volkswagen, put in an impressive performance throughout the 55th running of the invitation race in the former Portuguese colony. The Italian from the French ‘Team Signature’ dominated the majority of the practice session, won Saturday’s qualification race and secured pole position in the process. In the feature race on Sunday he was narrowly beaten by the Japanese driver Keisuke Kunimoto (Toyota-Dallara) and finished second in front of Brandon Hartley (Mercedes-Dallara).

For Mika Mäki, newcomer in Volkswagen partner team Signature, the invitation race in Asia was an emotional roller coaster ride. It started with stomach problems, which prevented him from participating in first qualifying, reached a low-point following a slip-up on the last lap of the qualification race and peaked with an excellent fourth place in the Grand Prix. The 17-year old Laurens Vanthoor, fourth in the German ATS Formula 3 Cup with two win, shone with a flawless performance in which he finished sixth in his debut race for RC Motorsport. Congfu Cheng was involved in an accident at the start of the race, which was briefly neutralised by two safety car periods, before working his way towards the front. Italian Nicola de Marco, in the second RC Motorsport Dallara Volkswagen, took the chequered flag in 19th position on his debut in Macau.

Kris Nissen, Volkswagen Motorsport Director: "Congratulations to Keisuke Kunimoto, the Tom’s Team and Toyota for winning in Macau. I think that they didn’t have things easy and we were a strong opponent. With Volkswagen drivers finishing second, fourth and sixth on our return to Asia we can be very happy. He combination of Edoardo Mortara, Team Signature and Volkswagen power was good for the win. Mika Mäki and Laurens Vanthoor have also impressed here. Overall, it was a great finish to a very successful Formula 3 season for Volkswagen, for which I would like to thank everybody who have contributed to this success. We’ll work very hard over the off season in order to claim more successes next year.”

Edoardo Mortara (I) - Volkswagen Dallara F308 - Team Signature, Qualifying: 3rd - Qualification race: 1st - Grand Prix race: 2nd
"In general it was an excellent weekend for Signature, Volkswagen and me. To fight for victory on this extraordinary street circuit is something very special, and it goes without saying that I am disappointed about missing out on the win. At the start I lost three places and I really tried everything to get back to the front again. On the other hand lady luck was smiling on me, as I hit the barriers once and bent a track-rod on my car – the steering wheel was completely skew, but I was able to continue.”