Signature team driver Edoardo Mortara has claimed the very first podium finish for Volkswagen’s latest Formula 3 engine by finishing third in the opening race of this year’s Formula 3 Euroseries.

The reigning F3 Euroseries rookie champion took a podium finish at the end of an action-packed race one in Hockenheim, the inaugural meeting of the 2008 championship.

Edoardo qualified fourth on Saturday morning, after the scheduled qualifying session on Friday was cancelled due to heavy rain. Despite this unexpected start to the season, Edoardo made an excellent getaway when the racing finally began at the technical German circuit.

By the end of the race he had battled his way up to third – which could have been second with a little more luck. Edoardo was battling to pass Jules Bianchi for second, but he slid a little wide at the hairpin, which allowed another driver to pass them both.

The French-Italian was not helped by the fact that some earlier contact in the race had damaged his rear diffuser, robbing him of downforce in slow corners.

The 20 year-old, who now occupies a provisional third place in the championship, commented: “I was very aware of the fact that I had to make sure of getting a solid finish for myself, the Signature team and Volkswagen – so I didn’t take any risks. The handling of the car wasn’t perfect because of the earlier diffuser damage, which meant that my progress was a bit limited. However, it’s been a very solid start to the season and I’d like to thank the entire Signature team for doing a very professional job. I’d also like to thank Volkswagen for producing an engine that seems to be competitive and reliable straight out of the box. Tomorrow’s race will be even tougher for us though, as we will start further down the grid.”

Under the F3 Euroseries rules, the result of race one decides the grid for race two - but with the top eight positions reversed. Consequently, Edoardo will start sixth on the grid for race two – scheduled to take place tomorrow morning at 10:55 (CET).