Van Amersfoort Racing takes the lead in ATS F3 Cup

23-07-2010

At the TT circuit in Assen Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) showed its home audience what it’s capable of achieving. With four podium places, including one victory and two pole positions, the championship team from Huizen gained its best team result of 2010. The German talent Daniël Abt is also the new leader in the ATS F3 Cup for VAR.

“This weekend we joined the ‘winner circle’. We did really well in Assen, and we forced ourselves to get those results”, analysed team boss Frits van Amersfoort. The consistent performance of all three riders, Daniël Abt, Stef Dusseldorp and Willi Steindl ensured that the team owner himself was also able to take the podium as the best team of the fourth racing weekend in the ATS F3 Cup.

During the qualifications for the first race Daniël Abt clocked the fastest time with the Dallara powered by Volkswagen, Stef Dusseldorp took third place and Willi Steindl surprised us with a good fifth place. Abt was to show his fighter’s mentality later that Saturday. After a false start the pole sitter fell back to fifth place, but in 20 circuits the 17-year-old German managed to climb his way back to second place.

Frits van Amersfoort: “A formidable achievement. Overtaking with an F3 at Assen is virtually impossible. You only have a chance in the Geert Timmer bend if you position yourself with extreme precision. And that’s what I saw Daniël do. He even passed people on the outside…”

With number three position, Stef Dusseldorp – 2009’s vice champion – once again took the podium and collected the points that are so important to the championship. The young Austrian Willi Steindl also had a good race without any errors. He finished fifth.

On Sunday morning VAR put forward a strong presence in the qualification session for the second race later that day. Daniël Abt took his second pole position, and Stef Dusseldorp closely followed his team mate in second place by 0.114 of a second. “Very impressive of Daniël and Stef to capture the front row for themselves”, said Frits van Amersfoort. Willi Steindl took the sixth time by less than a second.

In that second race Daniël Abt certainly got off to a good start. The VAR driver left the field behind him for the entire race, parrying the challenges of Felix Rosenqvist and getting the fastest racing round. The German rookie deservedly achieved his first ever F3 victory.

“It’s very classy how Daniël’s showcasing his talent at the moment”, complimented the team owner. “This is also a very special victory for us as a team. It's the first time that we’ve won an F3 race with a driver who doesn’t speak Dutch.”

Stef Dusseldorp was once again fast and consistent, which again resulted in a third place. That made it possible for the driver from Lichtenvoorde to catch up with important points against the competition. Willi Steindl drove to a good sixth place.

After Assen Van Amersfoort Racing powered by Volkswagen inherits the lead in the ATS F3 Cup: Following the successful weekend Daniël Abt (62 points) has passed Tom Dillman (57 points). With 43 points Stef Dusseldorp holds fourth position, three points behind number three Kevin Magnussen. Willi Steindl takes eighth place.

The next race weekend for the ATS F3 Cup is 24 and 25 July at the Nürburgring.