APRIL 27, 2003

Briscoe blows away Merc army

Australia's Ryan Briscoe is still rebuilding his career after a disastrous season in Formula 3000 last year but that process has been aided considerably by a double victory in the opening event of the new Formula 3 Euroseries at Hockenheim.

Australia's Ryan Briscoe is still rebuilding his career after a disastrous season in Formula 3000 last year but that process has been aided considerably by a double victory in the opening event of the new Formula 3 Euroseries at Hockenheim. The Prema Power Team Dallara-Opel driver was not on pole in either race but on both occasions was able to get ahead of poleman Olivier Pla (ASM Dallara-Mercedes). In the first event Briscoe was chased home by Dutchman Robert Doornbos (Team Ghinzani Dallara-Mugen Honda) while Markus Winkelhock was third in his Mucke Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes.

The second event was a similar story with Briscoe taking the lead on the first lap. Pla lost second place in the course of the second lap to Formula 3 newcomer Nico Rosberg but was able to retake the position on the 10th lap. Rosberg fell back into a lively battle with Alexandre Premat (ASM Dallara-Mercedes) and Alexandros Margaritis (Dallara-Opel). Premat and Margaritis eventually collided and so Rosberg was left in an untroubled third.

"I don't think I have ever driven so hard in my life before," said Rosberg.