VOLKSWAGEN DRIVER MORTARA IS FORMULA 3 EURO SERIES CHAMPION

Edoardo Mortara, racing for Volkswagen partner team Signature, has been crowned the champion of the Formula 3 Euro Series at Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.

With three races left in the 2010 season, a sixth-place finish in the first race of the weekend was enough to secure the title for the 23-year old in what has been a hard-fought championship battle.

This title is the first for Volkswagen since its return to the series as an engine partner.  By winning the prestigious Formula 3 Euro Series title, Mortara follows in the footsteps of Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton (2005 champion) and Nico Hülkenberg (2008 champion).  

Mortara made his Formula 3 Euro Series debut in 2007 with the Signature racing team and was classified as the best rookie with one victory and eighth place overall.  The following year, again racing with Signature, Mortara claimed the first victory for Volkswagen in the series at Pau, and finished the season as runner-up.

After a difficult season in GP2, Mortara returned to the Formula 3 grid at the end of the 2009 season to claim victory in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.  This season, the Italian driver returned to the Formula 3 Euro Series for the full season which he has dominated with six race wins so far.
 
Commenting on his championship win, Mortara explained: ‘It’s a great feeling to be champion.  At Volkswagen and Signature we’re like a big family and it’s wonderful for me to be able to say thanks to my great team and for the faith put in me by winning the championship.  I’m hoping that this will give a major boost to my future career and I’m looking forward to the opportunity of the DTM test which is given to the Formula 3 Euro Series Champion.’