Debut at last race before the winter break: The Netherlander Carlo van Dam, newly crowned ATS Formula 3 Cup Champion, moves up to the Formula 3 Euro Series with Volkswagen.
At the finale of the Formula 3 Euro Series at Hockenheim (12 -14 October) Carlo van Dam will steer a Dallara F306 Volkswagen alongside Maximilian Götz (Germany) entered by the Italian team RC Motorsport, the third Dallara “powered by Volkswagen” is driven by Marco Holzer (Germany) in the AM Holzer Rennsport team. After four race weekends and eight races the finale at the Baden race track marks the end of a short season for Volkswagen following the premiere of the newly developed Formula 3 engine at the beginning of September at the Nürburgring. Afterwards, the development programme for the near 210 hp two-litre four-vale engine from Wolfsburg will be continued for 2008.
“Hockenheim is new territory for our Formula 3 engine and provides our engineers with the opportunity to collect additional experiences and knowledge. The intensive development work on our concern engine continues apace during the winter break in order to offer more Formula 3 teams a potential race winning power unit in the forthcoming year,” explains Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen. “We can be satisfied with the results of our test races to date – we run in the top ten at every track. We aim to continue this trend at the finale at Hockenheim.”
RC Motorsport presents a new driver for the race at Hockenheim. New to the team is Carlo van Dam, who won the ATS Formula 3 Cup this year in convincing style with nine victories in 18 races. “I’m very happy and proud to be able to make the step-up to the Formula 3 Euro Series so soon with Volkswagen. It’s a fantastic feeling to know that my performances in the German Cup have been noticed,” says the delighted 21-year old from Rotterdam who replaces Jonathan Summerton (USA) in the cockpit. van Dam celebrated victory at the wheel of a Formula 3 car at Hockenheim in April. “The pressure of competition is significantly greater in the European series,” acknowledges the Netherlander. “The team is new to me, and the track is new to the team – nevertheless, I hope that we can spring a surprise.”
“Maxi” Goetz finished in the top-ten four times for Volkswagen during the previous three race weekends and is also confident for the finale: “Hockenheim is the last chance to show what we are capable of this year. We were well on the pace up to now,” and the 21-year old is convinced that, “there is much more potential in the car, engine, team and driver. It is possible to lay the foundation for a successful race weekend with a good qualifying performance on Friday. We aim to focus our attention specifically on this.”
Marco Holzer also hopes to finish his debut season in the Formula 3 Euro Series with a good result. “My first year was filled with highs and lows, but I’ve learnt a huge amount,” summarises the 19-year old trainee vehicle mechatronic engineer. “At the finale I’d like to improve on my best performance to date which was seventh at Nuremberg, but it won’t be a cruise. Everybody is usually more motivated than normal at the last race.”
- Volkswagen Motorsport
Technorati Tags: VW, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Motorsport, Formula 3 Euro Series, Maximilian Götz, Carlo van Dam, Marco Holzer, oneighturbo
Edoardo Mortara (I), Dallara F308 Volkswagen
Eight drivers from six nations – Volkswagen’s international line-up for the Formula 3 Euro Series is complete. The signing of Cong Fu Cheng from China concludes Volkswagen’s driver selection process.
