At the 4.307 kilometres long Circuit Park Zandvoort, the German won from his team-mate Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam). The best-placed rookie, David Beckmann (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport) finished in third place, not only scoring his own maiden FIA Formula 3 European Championship podium finish, but also securing the first podium for his team kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport in the 2016 FIA Formula 3 European Championship season. Race winner Günther reduced his gap to championship leader Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) to 56 points. After two pit stops, the Canadian only finished in 19th place. 

Starting from pole position, Maximilian Günther immediately took the lead. Nick Cassidy slotted into second place just behind his team-mate while David Beckmann was in third place. On the opening lap, the latter still had his main rival Alessio Lorandi (Carlin) in full-size in his rear-view mirror, but then, the 16-year-old was able to build up an advantage that he managed to extend during the following laps.

Out in front, Günther was able to pull clear from Cassidy, while the New Zealander, in turn, increased his margin from Beckmann more and more. More exciting than the racing at the front was the battle for eleventh place involving Niko Kari (Motopark), Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport), Pedro Piquet (Van Amersfoort Racing), and Ryan Tveter (Carlin). Finnish rookie driver Kari withstood the pressure from Danish stalwart, Jensen, and brought eleventh place home.

Ten positions ahead of Kari, Maximilian Günther took the flag as the winner after 23 laps of racing. He scored his third victory of the season. He finished ahead of Nick Cassidy and the best-placed rookie David Beckmann. Alessio Lorandi, George Russell (HitechGP), Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing), Joel Eriksson (Motopark), Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam), Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP), and Anthoine Hubert (Van Amersfoort Racing) rounded out the top ten.

Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam): “At Zandvoort, the start is the key to victory, I already knew that beforehand. My start was good and I was in the lead going into the first corner. After that, I drove consistent lap times, I didn’t make any mistakes and also tried to save my tyres in the process. When Nick slightly closed up, I was able to increase my speed. I was in control of the race. Next to this victory, I am also happy that I have been able to reduce the gap to Lance Stroll in the drivers’ standings while I also extended my margin to Callum Ilott in third.”

Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam): “I am happy with this weekend and I am also happy with this race. I started from second place and finished in the same position, so I can’t complain.”

David Beckmann (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport): ”After the start, I was third straight away and I was able to hold on to this position throughout the race. I am really happy to have scored my first real podium finish in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship after having been on the rookie podium a couple of times already.”