Aaro Vainio and Marlon Stockinger made the most of GP3’s first foray to Monaco last weekend – although the headlines thereafter spoke mainly of wreckage and processions.
With the loss of the Turkish Grand Prix, the GP3 Series a 2012 season that was shy one race weekend from previous seasons.
After much discussion and negotiating, GP3 secured a slot over the Monaco Grand Prix weekend to act as support alongside GP2 and the Formula Renault 3.5 series.
While GP3 lacked the thrill of the top level category’s, it certainly provided some unique entertainment in the principality.
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TV Notes
Race One (May 25th)
A sublime drive from Finland’s Aaro Vainio ensured a first GP3 win for the Lotus driver on the streets of Monte Carlo. Poleman Vainio* saw off the challenge of Tamas Pa’l Kiss to lead every lap – holding a three-second advantage for the most part – although the Finn never truly looked under pressure.
Starting 3rd, Pa’l Kiss jumped Ocean Racing Technology’s Kevin Ceccon into St Devote in frantic opening tour, with the field settling into an uninterrupted order thereafter. For his troubles, Ceccon drove a quiet race to 3rd, garnering his first podium of the season.
MW Arden’s David Fumanelli led a loose six-car train over the line when he claimed 4th spot. The Italian spent the entire running fending off the aggressive intentions of teammate Mitch Evans (5th), while Daniel Abt (Lotus, 6th), Antonio Felix da Costa (Carlin, 7th), Marlon Stockinger (Status GP, 8th) and Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor, 9th) bit at the heels.
Alex Brundle held Status GP rookie Alice Powell at bay to secure the final point for Carlin.
It was a forgettable day for Conor Daly, who damaged his front wing in turn one contact after jumping the start, enduring both a drive through penalty and an extra stop for repairs. Both Ethan Ringel and Patric Niederhauser retired following contact with the barriers.
* {note 1}
Vainio also claimed pole position in another split qualifying session. The Finn took advantage of a quicker “Group 2” session to line up ahead of Ceccon and Pa’l Kiss.
Neither Carmen Jorda nor Matias Laine set a time within 107% of pole; however both were allowed to start after setting acceptable times in Free Practice.
2012 GP3 Round of Monaco (Rd 2, Race 1, 18 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Aaro Vainio Lotus 27m06.685s
2. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 1.994s
3. Kevin Ceccon Ocean + 10.519s
4. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 16.156s
5. Mitch Evans MW Arden + 17.789s
6. Daniel Abt Lotus + 18.169s
7. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 18.548s
8. Marlon Stockinger Status + 20.440s
9. Tio Ellinas Manor + 20.733s
10. Alex Brundle Carlin + 25.083s
11. Alice Powell Status + 26.084s
12. Will Buller Carlin + 29.591s
13. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 31.319s
14. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 31.612s
15. Fabiano Machado Manor + 34.249s
16. Dimitry Suranovich Manor + 34.851s
17. John Wartique Atech CRS + 47.648s
18. Robert Cregan Ocean + 57.033s
19. Vicky Piria Trident + 59.726s
20. Antonio Spavone Trident + 1m00.765s
21. Matias Laine MW Arden + 1m02.454s
22. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 1m03.565s
Retirements:
Conor Daly Lotus 17 laps
Patric Niederhauser Jenzer 8 laps
Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 8 laps
Carmen Jorda Ocean 5 laps
Race Two (May 26th)
Marlon Stockinger took the spoils in a shortened GP3 race in Monaco. The Filipino led every lap in an event punctuated by two shocking accidents, one of which came perilously close to garnering unwelcome headlines for the sport.
The first incident occurred as the field negotiated the opening turn. As the field drew into St Devote, Alice Powell threw her Status GP machine down the inside of the turn, glancing wheels with Carlin’s Alex Brundle, who nudged teammate Will Buller – in the outside lane – as a result.
The violence of the contact pitched Buller into a roll, with the top of his car slamming the Armco barrier. Brundle ventured a few metres before pulling off with a broken wheel, while Powell was forced to pit to repair damage.
Buller’s wreck – upside down and requiring attention – forced the safety car to emerge for two laps.
Meanwhile, Stockinger led from Antonio Felix da Costa for the duration of fast running, although the Portuguese racer struggled to get close enough to force the issue. It was a similar issue to Daniel Abt in the final podium spot, as the race became a long line of cars unable to overtake.
In a direct swap from race one, Mitch Evans held MW Arden teammate David Fumanelli at bay for 4th and 5th respectively, while Kevin Ceccon, (ORT, 6th), Aaro Vainio (Lotus, 7th) and Tio Ellinas (Marussia Manor, 8th) secured the final points.
The race was neutralised on lap 11 when a huge accident between Conor Daly and Dmitry Suranovich vaulted Daly into the catch fencing at the Nouvelle chicane.
It was the second contact between the pair – a clash two laps earlier left Suranovich with no rear wing, while Daly endured a broken front wing. Suranovich weaved excessively in his attempts to keep Daly back, but the Russian swiped across the circuit once too often, instigating a crash of supreme violence.
Up until his accident, Daly had made great strides through the field. Gaining nine places off the start, the American took Vicky Piria on lap 4 and Robert Cregan on the following tour to bring him into his battle with Suranovich. The Russian – who had continued on after the clash – was later disqualified and may yet still face further sanctions.
With the catch fencing and the poles that hold it in place destroyed, the red flag was unfolded, bringing the race to an early end.
2012 GP3 Round of Monaco (Rd 2, Race 2, 13 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Marlon Stockinger Status 21m37.673s
2. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 0.687s
3. Daniel Abt Lotus + 1.820s
4. Mitch Evans MW Arden + 2.685s
5. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 3.651s
6. Kevin Ceccon Ocean + 5.337s
7. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 6.266s
8. Tio Ellinas Manor + 7.090s
9. Tamas Pal Kiss Atech CRS + 7.762s
10. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 9.055s
DSQ. Dimitry Suranovich Manor + 1m10.884s*
11. Robert Cregan Ocean + 1m11.405s
12. Vicky Piria Trident + 1m12.105s
13. John Wartique Atech CRS + 1m12.710s
14. Antonio Spavone Trident + 1m13.514s
15. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 1m14.329s
16. Matias Laine MW Arden + 1m15.267s
17. Fabiano Machado Manor + 1m16.582s
18. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS + 1m17.725s
19. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 1m18.420s
20. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 1m19.123s
21. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 1m19.910s
22. Alice Powell Status + 1m20.504s
Retirements:
Conor Daly Lotus 10 laps
Alex Brundle Carlin 0 laps
Will Buller Carlin 0 laps
2012 GP3 Series Points Standings Drivers’ Championship Pos Driver Points 1. Aaro Vainio 54 2. Mitch Evans 43 3. Marlon Stockinger 39 4. Antonio Felix da Costa 24 5. Conor Daly 23 6. Kevin Ceccon 23 7. Daniel Abt 22 8. Matias Laine 20 9. David Fumanelli 20 10. Patric Niederhauser 20 Teams’ Championship Pos Team Points 1. Lotus 99 2. MW Arden 83 3. Status GP 39 4. Jenzer 36 5. Carlin 27
