At the start of the Euro Formula, the Waller racing driver brothers Andreas and Sebastian Estner kept what they promised in the training sessions: They stood on the podium together.
Budapest / Wall - Even if it couldn't be seen through the face mask: Andreas and Sebastian Estner received their trophies with a happy grin on their faces. The racing brothers from Wall, who both start for the Dutch Van Amersfoort team, kept what they promised on the first weekend of the Euroformula Open at the Hungaroring (Hungary). After setting the best times in practice, they were among the leaders in the races - and even stood on the podium together. Andreas finished second twice, Sebastian once third and once fifth.
After the first qualifying at the latest, it was clear that the two Wallers would have a say about the podium - and maybe even victory. Andreas Estner placed his racing car in second place, Sebastian in three. Only the Chinese Yifei Ye was faster. Not surprising for the Estners, who already had the former Renault Academy driver, who drove in FIA Formula 3 like Andreas Estner in 2019, on the slip. “This is the man to beat,” says Andreas Estner.
Sebastian Estner with a better start
At the start the Estner brothers defended their positions, Andreas successfully fended off an attack by his brother. As a result, he chased Ye while in turn had Sebastian on his neck. Since the Hungaroring is one of the stretches with little overtaking due to its many corners, the gaps leveled off as the race continued. The Waller brothers brought their podium places safely to the finish, but also had to let Ye go more and more. Due to the high cornering speeds of the Dallara 320 cars, overtaking is only possible if you are significantly faster than the man in front of you, explains Andreas Estner and adds: "Unfortunately we don't have DRS."
A face mask was also mandatory before the start. Here is a technician with Sebastian Estner.
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Estner brothers extremely satisfied with the result
In the second race, the Estners initially found themselves in the same starting position: Andreas started second, Sebastian directly behind him, and pole position again belonged to Ye. The start was also almost identical. Sebastian got off a little better, but then competitor Ido Cohen touched his rear tire and Estner fell back to sixth place. The race management saw no need for a penalty. Estner did not give up, but was stuck behind the Colombian Manuel Maldonado for a long time. At the finish it was only enough for fifth place, while Andreas finished second behind Ye again.
Andreas (number 16) and Sebastian Estner circled the Hungaroring almost in formation.
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Andreas Estner explains the slight drop in performance compared to the tests and training sessions with the route. The GT cars that were also on the Hungaroring this weekend changed the grip. “As a result, our cars were suddenly unstable.” Overall, however, the brothers are satisfied with their performance. "Even if we would of course have preferred to be at the top of the podium," says Andreas Estner.
Nevertheless, the Estners have risen to potential title candidates. But they have to be careful that Ye doesn't run away from them. With 54 points, the Chinese is already 18 points ahead of Andreas Estner (36) and 29 over Sebastian (25), who is just behind Zane Maloney (27) in the rookie standings. Meanwhile, Andreas Estner's gaze is directed towards southern France. From August 20 to 23, the Euroformula Open will pitch its tents in Le Castellet. "We want to be even stronger."