Stefano Coletti has secured the first win of the new F3 Euroseries season at Hockenheim after a start to finish victory in the opening race of the weekend.

The Prema Powerteam driver made the best start when the lights went out to jump ahead of polesitter Sam Bird on the run to the opening corner, and from then on, he was never headed as he secured his maiden Euroseries victory.

“My start wasn't as bad as I had thought,” he said. “Thus, I could overtake Sam in the first corner. All in all, it was a demanding race, because I had to look in my rear-view mirrors all the time. At the end, my tyres lost grip, that didn't make things easier.”


Bird also lost out on the opening lap to Manor's Roberto Mehri and the top three remained unchanged throughout the 16 laps as Bird was forced to settle for the bottom step of the podium.

“I really messed up the start, that was my fault,” the Briton reflected. “I am disappointed by myself, because the car was good enough for victory. I will try to do better tomorrow.”

Miki Maki led the challenge for the Volkswagen teams with fourth place for the Signature team, ahead of Jules Bianchi and Jean-Karl Vernay. Christian Vietoris and Atte Mustonen rounded out the top eight, the latter securing a point for the debuting Motopark Academy team and securing pole for race as a result.