Günther’s overtaking manoeuvre at the Norisring counts as one of the FIA’s best motor racing moves

Günther nominated for FIA Action of the Year 2015

The exceptionally talented German driver overtook three opponents, while running through the turn, to secure his maiden win in his debut season in Formula 3.

Günther’s overtaking caused a sensation worldwide. His manoeuvre has now been nominated by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile for the “FIA Action of the Year 2015” award. Nine moves by drivers from all the various FIA series are competing against each other in this category. Apart from Günther’s Norisring coup, fans can also vote for overtaking passes made by Formula 1 driver Max Verstappen, Formula E driver Sebastien Buemi or for moves from WRC rallying and world championship endurance racing.

Motor racing fans worldwide can decide in an online ballot which pass will win the “FIA Action of the Year 2015” award which will be presented on December 4th 2015 during the annual FIA Prize-Giving gala in Paris. The event is one of the biggest highlights on the racing calendar. The champions of all the various FIA racing series will receive their official FIA awards in the presence of motorsport’s movers and shakers.

Fans have until December 1st 2015 to vote for their personal favourite video on the FIA website at: http://www.fia.com/action-of-the-year-2015. If Günther’s triple overtaking move at the Norisring wins, then he will be following in the footsteps of Max Verstappen. The Dutch teenager won the award in 2014 with an overtaking manoeuvre in the FIA F3 European Championship. The following year, Verstappen became the youngest driver ever to race in Formula 1.

Günther won the race at the Norisring from twelfth place on the grid. Never before in the history of the world’s premier junior racing series has a regular in the line-up made such a successful charge up the field to victory. At the same time, this was only the second success for a German driver in the Formula 3 championship which was newly established in 2013. In order to celebrate his win in a fitting manner, Maximilian jumped into Nuremberg’s Dutzendteich, the lake near the track, the following Sunday morning.

“I made a bet before the weekend with Ashley, my engineer, that I would jump into the Dutzendteich, if I won. Well, a bet is a bet,” said Maximilian, explaining the circumstances behind his victory jump into the lake. Speaking about his spectacular overtaking manoeuvre, he said: “I got a good position on the inside, while running through the hairpin, and overtook all three drivers in front of me simultaneously – it was fantastic! I could hardly believe it, since no one would have put money on me winning from twelfth on the grid.”

Foto: Alexander Trienitz