An inspired tyre choice took Charlie Kimball to victory in the 14th round of the Formula Three Euro Series at Zandvoort, the American having to force his way through the field to take his first win in the championship.

While the rain had stopped falling ahead of the race at Dutch circuit, the circuit was still wet as the drivers lined up on the grid. With little to lose though, 11th place Kimball, Sebastian Vettel, who was starting 24th and Kazuki Nakajima, who was also starting from the back of the grid, opted to gamble on slick tyres -  and it proved an inspired choice as all three claimed the podium positions at the end of the race.

The choice of tyre looked to be a mistake in the early stages of the 18 lap race, and Kimball struggled with his grip.  But the conditions changed decisively in the fifth lap, allowing Kimball and Vettel to start laying down superior lap times to those ahead, the duo nose-to-tail as they surged to the front of a field now unable to sustain the pace on a rapidly drying circuit. Charlie successfully fought off the challenge from his German rival to hold on for his first win in the European F3 Championship. - 3 September 2006