Jazeman Jaafar claimed a key British Formula 3 victory at Silverstone today after original victor Alex Lynn received a post-race penalty.
Jack Harvey was also penalised for a jump-start, falling from 3rd to 8th. The penalties promoted Carlos Sainz Jr to 2nd, while Harry Tincknell completed the reconfigured podium.
Lynn took the flag well clear of his Malaysian rival; however the Fortec racer was adjudged to have jumped the start, earning a 30 second penalty as a result, demoting the Essex man to 4th.
It was a deeply unfortunate outcome for Lynn who had otherwise dominated the proceedings. From there, the Fortec racer casually pulled away from Jaafar; extending his lead by up to one second per lap, eventually ending the contest 10.5 seconds clear.
Prior to the penalties being issued, Jaafar was not best pleased after the race. Aside from fuming at Lynn’s getaway, the Malaysian enjoyed brief fight to keep Sainz Jr at bay on the opening tour; however the Spaniard’s attack was quickly subdued and Jaafar settled into 2nd.
Indeed, Sainz Jr was the focus of much of the race’s action. The son of the rally World Champion endured a rearguard battle from Harvey from early on, yet every time the series leader came to within a few tenths of Sainz, the dreaded aerodynamic disturbance took effect.
Following several aborted attempts, Harvey drew alongside Sainz Jr on the final tour at Luffield, forcing his way by. As the circuit switched and turned into Woodcote, Harvey grabbed the inside line, edging ahead of Sainz Jr by a mere 0.057 seconds at the line; however it mattered little.
Harry Tincknell was promoted to 4th, but was not in the same league as the front pack. The Englishman battled with Fortec’s Pipo Derani in the early laps; however this was neutralised when the Brazilian received a drive through penalty for a pre-race infringement*.
With Derani removed, Tincknell spent the rest of the race keeping (Carlin’s) Pietro Fantin at bay, while Formula 3 returnee Rupert Svendsen-Cook (Double R) lingered in the near distance.
It was horror race for title challenger Felix Serralles. The Puerto Rican stalled momentarily at the race start, demoting him to the rear of the field.
A charging run from Serralles ensured he easily swept by the National Class trio, before finally assuming 8th when Geoff Uhrhane and Nick McBride removed each the running on the final lap. Harvey’s penalty promoted Serralles to 7th.
Derani’s 9th place finish garnered the Brazilian two points and reverse grid pole for tomorrow’s short opening race.
Spike Goddard won the National Class and took 10th overall, after he pulled away from Pedro Pablo Calbimonte (T-Sport, 11th) and Duvashen Padayachee (Double R, 12th).
Hannes van Asseldonk retired when he felt a burning sensation underneath his buttocks (an engine problem).
{* note 1}
Two of Derani’s mechanics remained on the grid after the two-minute mark on the grip, earning the Brazilian a drive-through penalty.
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 1)
Pos Driver Team Time
1. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin-Volkswagen 29:02.367
2. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin-Volkswagen 29:10.267
3. Harry Tincknell Carlin-Volkswagen 29:18.746
4. Alex Lynn Fortec-Mercedes 29:21.808
5. Pietro Fantin Carlin-Volkswagen 29:22.745
6. Rupert Svendsen-Cook Double R-Mercedes 29:23.273
7. Felix Serralles Fortec-Mercedes 29:25.803
8. Jack Harvey Carlin-Volkswagen 29:40.210
9. Pipo Derani Fortec-Mercedes 29:41.187
10. Spike Goddard T-Sport-Mugen Honda 29:45.351
11. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte T-Sport-Mugen Honda 29:47.437
12. Duvashen Padayachee Double R-Mugen Honda 29:51.689
Retirements
Nick McBride T-Sport ThreeBond-Nissan +1 lap
Geoff Uhrhane Double R-Mercedes +1 lap
Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec-Mercedes +9 laps
2012 British F3 Round of Silverstone (Rd 9, Race 1) International Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Jack Harvey 255 2. Felix Serralles 252 3. Jazeman Jaafar 252 4. Carlos Sainz Jr 212 5. Alex Lynn 197 6. Harry Tincknell 181 7. Pietro Fantin 153 8. Pipo Derani 119 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 99 10. Nick McBride 79 National Class Pos Drivers Points 1. Spike Goddard 352 2. Duvashen Padayachee 309 3. Adderly Fong 161 4. Pedro Pablo Calbimonte 70
