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Hockenheim F3ES: First blood to Hamilton.

Saturday, 16th April 2005

Being widely touted as favourite to succeed countryman Jamie green as F3 Euroseries champion did not appear to faze Lewis Hamilton in round one of the international series, the ASM driver taking his Dallara-Mercedes to a comfortable victory at Hockenheim.

That wasn't the first incident either as, on the first lap, Prema team leader Franck Perera, Manor's Paul di Resta and top rookie Sebastian Vettel all had to retire due to contact. The accident offered other drivers, starting further down the grid, the chance to benefit. Among them, Maximilian Götz, who began the race in ninth, made perfect use of the opportunity by finishing fifth behind Bonanomi, who started seventh, and James Rossiter, from 15th! Átila Abreu, meanwhile, took advantage of Vettel's exit to claim eighth place as best rookie finisher.

“The race was just fantastic," Bonanomi, aware of his good fortune, commented "This has been my first podium finish in the F3 Euroseries - my car was great and my team was great. I wouldn’t mind if the season continued this way.”

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