There are occasions in modern motorsport when it appears – from the outside – to be devoid of passion. The DeltaWing project at Le Mans is one that has defied neutralisation.
A prototype machine designed by Ben Bowlby – and run in conjunction with Highcroft Racing, Don Panoz and Dan Gurney – the DeltaWing had been running steady laptimes, despite occasional gearbox glitches.
Its daring ideas and representation made it a fan favourite and garnered plenty of headlines for the event in the run up to this year’s Le Mans.
Just over six hours into this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hour Race, Kazuki Nakajima in the LMP1 Toyota carelessly bumped DeltaWing driver Satoshi Motoyama off at the Porsche Curves.
Race rules demand that only the driver can touch the car while it is on track, leaving Motoyama to attempt a basic repair to the car’s suspension under the advice and supervision of the car’s engineers.
Determined to get the machine back on track, the Japanese racer fought earnestly to apply a temporary fix, but to no avail. Distraught, Motoyama was comforted by his engineers, while fans applauded his valiant efforts.
It is rare to see such emotions at the racetrack today, as they tend to be smothered by commercial responsibilities – and that’s a shame, because passion and emotion are elements that fans lock into.
The likes of Formula 1, NASCAR and endurance racing are struggling badly to latch onto an audience under the age of 45. Maybe if they put away their portfolios and politics for a little while, they might begin to understand why younger viewers shy away from motorsport.
For more on the DeltaWing project, here is an interview with Ben Bowlby from late last year.
© Daniel Kalisz/GP3 Series Media Service
Since Giovanna Amati’s anonymous and brief spell with the ailing Brabham team in 1992, Formula 1 has suffered from a dearth of female competitors.
There are some who will readily trot out tired old nonsense such as “women are not strong enough to race cars”, etc, etc, etc…
What absolute tosh.
A number of female racers have made themselves known in the US, while competing in highly physical forms of motorsport – Danica Patrick is an obvious example. Indeed the recently retired Courtney Force enjoyed better results on the drag strip without the bells and whistles.
As an aside, current IndyCar driver Katherine Legge tested a Minardi at the tail end of 2005, although there were no serious intentions to this outing. Sarah Fisher also ran a McLaren at Indianapolis three years previously, but this was more a promotional endeavour to garner American interest.
Yet in Europe, the pot of female racing drivers near the top has remained painfully dry for some time; however 2012 has felt some ripples of change. Suzie Wolff and Maria de Villota have signed reserve driver deal with Williams and Marussia, but these are not generally considered to deals that will ever lead to any kind of a drive.
Meanwhile, this season’s GP3 Series – one of the main support categories to Formula 1 – has witnessed three female racers sign up for the 2012 season; Carma Jorda, Vicky Piria and ex-Formula Renault BARC champion Alice Powell.
At 19 years old, Powell has risen the motorsport ladder in Europe through Formula Renault UK, via the Ginetta Junior Championship and the G50 Cup.
2009 saw Powell receive the prestigious British Women’s Racing Drivers Club Gold Stars ‘Elite’ Award and also finished runner-up for the Young Star prize at the Women of the Future Awards.
Yet it is more than just awards that Powell has gathered. Podiums in Ginetta Juniors alongside her successes in Formula Renault UK have given Powell’s stock some value – it will surely only be a matter of time before results roll in.
The Oxford racer signed to Irish squad Status GP just prior to the start of the final pre-season test, instantly limiting here time in the car prior to the opening round in Barcelona and while Powell has just missed registering points twice in the opening pair of rounds – outside the top ten in Monaco by just six-tenths – the young rookie has garnered some positive reviews.
Recently, The Motorsport Archive checked in with Alice get her views on the 2012 season so far, the GP3 car and to garner her thoughts on women in motorsport.
—
The Motorsport Archive: On first looks, you have taken a slightly odd route to GP3 – becoming the first female to win the Formula Renault BARC Championship, followed by seasons in Formula Renault UK either side of a Ginetta G50 campaign. How would you define your path up the motors racing ladder?
Alice Powell: It has definitely had its ups and downs, but winning a championship in 2010 made the downs worth it!
I have learnt so much over the past few years and I am still learning now. I am very lucky to have such a great team of Status Grand Prix working with me this year.TMA: Although you have not run much with the car, what do you make of the characteristics of the GP3/10 so far?
AP: It has a lot more grip than the Formula Renault (which I drove last year), not just aero grip, but mechanical grip too. It also has a turbo too and an extra 70BHP, but the speed is not the biggest thing that I noticed.
The tyres are Pirelli, which is a compound that I have never driven before. They are much bigger tyres with again, more grip and need different management. The car is brilliant and I enjoy driving it!TMA: After such a brief time testing and racing, have you had much of an opportunity to build a relationship with your team or teammates, Marlon Stöckinger and Kotaro Sakurai?
AP: I do get on with my teammates yes. Like you said I have only had a brief time to get to know them but they seem great good guys. I have spent quite a bit of time with the Status crew and they are a fantastic bunch and very hard working.
It is very important to have a good relationship with the team and I already feel I have that.TMA: Many of the circuits on the GP3 calendar are ones that you have not raced on before. How do you prepare for tackling venues that are new to you?
AP: Silverstone is the only circuit out of the 8-race calendar that I have driven! So the rest are completely new to me. I work closely with my engineer (Simon Cayzer) to get as much information about the circuits as possible (gear changes, references, braking etc etc). I would try and spend some time on the Simulator too, to learn the circuits.
TMA: Sponsorship and backing is a big issue in motorsport at the moment. How have you found the task of building a budget, especially for a series such as GP3?
AP: It has not been easy! I have now started looking for sponsors to come with me on my journey in 2013, as I want to do GP3 again next year.
TMA: The lack of females in top-level motorsport in the last twenty years is a subject that comes up often on TheMotorsportArchive.com. Can you give me an indication as to the perception of female competitors in modern motorsport from your perspective?
AP: There are gradually more and more females entering the sport. I think what the sport needs is a female to be racing in Formula One, so that the younger female generation have someone to look up to and aspire to be.
The men have plenty of drivers who they can look up to and aspire to be, but females don’t. If females had this, then I think it would encourage them to join to sport.TMA: Last thing. Have you set a specific aims for the 2012 season?
AP: To finish in the top 15 of the championship and possibly get some points on the board this year. It is going to be tough, but I will be trying my very best!
The GP3 Series returns for the third round on the streets of Valencia from June 22nd-24th in support of the European Grand Prix.
My thanks again to Alice for participating in this Q&A session. For more on Alice and her racing career, check out alice-powell.com or follow her on Twitter at @alicepowell.
© Copyright unknown.
My thoughts today for the forgotten man of the 1982 Formula One season, Riccardo Paletti.
Amidst the tragedy of Villeneuve, the politics within Ferrari, persistent aggravation amongst the rule makers and the teams and a close title tight, the memory of Paletti always seems to fall through the cracks.
Youthful, fit and pleasant if somewhat timid, Paletti featured large glasses that shrouded much of his face.
Admittedly, his results prior to F1 were hardly grand marks of success – a couple of podiums here and there in Formula 2 the previous year garnered some column inches, but little more than that.
Indeed, Paletti’s junior career seemed to be dominated by accidents and misfortune.
It was maybe unlikely that he would be a star, but realistically stardom only matters to people who actively seek such things.
Paletti admitted on one occasion that he probably would have preferred an extra year in Formula 2, but his personal sponsor – in fact his father Arietto – encouraged Riccardo forward. The shy, retiring and dreadfully inexperienced Paletti was always going to be racing against the odds.
Only 23 when the opening race at Kyalami came to pass, Paletti found himself behind the wheel of the Cosworth-powered Osella FA1C – a car woefully incompatible against its machine peerage – suffering the indignity of not qualifying.
Five times out of eight, Paletti could not drag time out of the unloved bucket of bolts, although it must be remembered that his début at Imola came in an event with only 13 other starters.
Alas, FOCA were mostly busy that weekend.
There were several punishing suspension failures that curtailed his running in pre-qualifying, but for the most part, the speed simply wasn’t there. Week-in week-out, his far most experienced teammate – Jean-Pierre Jarier – simply destroyed him.
His second start – on the streets of Detroit – never even came about when one of his front wheels fell off during the morning warm-up, damaging the car…
And then Montreal. Didier Pironi stalled his Ferrari on pole position slot, while the field swarmed around him desperate to avoid a collision.
In the metal and fuel melee, Raul Boesel clipped the Ferrari setting off a chain reaction that collected Geoff Lees, Jochen Mass and Eliseo Salazar – Paletti’s path was blinded.
Despite still not fully up to speed, the Italian careened into the rear of Pironi, crushing the front of his chassis. Paletti received a few moments worth of attention when the fuel tank split and the Osella became engulfed.
Paletti would have turned 24 two days after the race. His mother was at the event to celebrate. Riccardo Paletti died 30 years ago today. His was the last Grand Prix fatality for twelve years, until the black weekend at Imola.
© Cutecookie.com
It is a dreadful state of affairs when a competitor finds oneself in a position where they need to sell their possessions in order to enter an event.
Unfortunately it is a situation that reigning British Rally Female Champion Louise Cook has found herself in this season.
With next to no budget, Cook competed in this year’s World Rally Championship rounds at Monte Carlo and Acropolis, with the 24-year-old taking 2nd and 6th respectively*. She currently resides 5th in the PWRC Drivers’ Championship with 26 points – some 36 adrift of runaway category leader Benito Guerra.
Sadly for Cook, what little budget existed is beginning to run dry and with Rally New Zealand on the horizon, the Kent racer is auctioning off her silverware in order to avoid a €15,000 fine and exclusion from the championship**.
Her trophies are currently receiving bids on eBay, with Cook promising to ship anywhere in the world. Of course, a backer would be a far more positive result.
The Kent driver has spent much of her time quietly raising her own funds through some innovative schemes, such as “Promotion50” – an attempt to find 500 personal sponsors who would each bring £50 to the table.
To give an impression of the financial difficulties during January’s Monte Carlo Rally, Cook admitted on her rally blog that: “…it was a real struggle to get to the rally and as stupid as it sounds we had no money for tyres either. I had the choice of 3 year old worn medium slicks RS7 and some 45 quid budget winter road tyres, not a great selection for Monte Carlo’s cold and unpredictable weather (…), but it had to do.”
Beyond New Zealand, Cook is also registered to compete in WRC events in Germany, Italy and Spain.
You can discover more about Cook on cutecookie.co.uk, rallyteamgb.com or on Facebook. The trophy auction can be found here.
* {note 1}
There may be those who will bemoan the lack of finishers in the PWRC categories; however just finishing the rally is very much part of the game. If it were easy, everyone would do it… right?
** {note 2}
Prior to each season, a driver / team can nominate which rallies they will be participating in, allowing the FIA to confirm the entry list well in advance of the event.
Manufacturers will generally send their preferred drivers to each rally; however many competitors within the WRC are part-time runners. As a result, rallies generally have a healthy contingent of “home” competitors.
Entrants must compete in their nominated rounds or face a hefty fine and exclusion, unless their non-arrival can be proved a product of force majeure.
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Editor’s note…
Although rallying rarely marks these pages, I am a huge fan of the category. The drivers who compete in rallying genuinely leave me searching for what’s left of my disbelief.
With regards to out-and-out driving skill, as far as I’m concerned rallying is the single toughest form of straight up motorsport in existence. Nothing else touches it. Thus…
Please find below extracts from the Formula 3 Sporting and Technical Regulations, specifically article 2.16, with regards to actions behind the safety car.
2.16 Operation of Safety Car:
2.16.3 SPECIFIC SAFETY CAR REGULATIONS.
c) The Safety Car will be brought into operation to neutralise a race upon the sole decision of the Clerk of the Course. The Safety Car will be driven by an experienced circuit driver and will carry and observer capable of recognising all competing cars and who is in permanent radio contact with the Race Director.e) On the order from the Clerk of the Course, the Safety Car will join the circuit with its revolving lights on, regardless of where the race leader is.
f) When the order is given to deploy the Safety Car a waved yellow flag and “SC” board will be displayed at the start finish line. The waved yellow flags and “SC” boards will flow around the circuit in both directions, as an adjacent post displays both their waved yellow flag and “SC” board. This system may be supplemented by a message being simultaneously broadcast to all marshals‟ posts if such a communication system is available.
g) Flashing yellow lights may also be used at the start-line and at other points around the circuit.
h) All competing cars, when notified of the Safety Car intervention (by the flag signals, “SC” boards, or by any other means) will reduce speed and line up behind the Safety Car, no more than 5 car lengths apart, and maintaining the same speed as it. Overtaking or overlapping of any other competing car during a Safety Car intervention is forbidden. Overtaking of a Safety Car is forbidden unless the particular competitor concerned is signalled to overtake the Safety Car by the observer in the Safety Car.
Please find below what not to do under safety car conditions, courtesy of KSW Motorsport’s Kim-Alexander Giersiepen at the Sachsensenring last weekend during an ADAC Formula Masters race.
As marshal’s attempted to collect the stricken Nicolas Pohler from the gravel trap, Giersiepen entered the corner far to fast, lost control and rammed the stationary safety car. Following this incident (on lap 2), the race was red flagged and eventually abandoned.
The weekend wasn’t the best advertisement for the ADAC Formula Masters series. On Sunday, both Yannick Mettler and Artem Markelov garnered the attention of stewards, when Mettler received a warning for excessively dangerous driving.
Markelov took that an extra level after his front wing broke – the Russian continued on with the wing lodged underneath the front of his car. How he managed to steer it is beyond me.
Following on from Dmitry Suranovich’s crazy antics at Monaco during the GP3 event, it may be necessary to review driver’s attitude towards yellow flags and safety car signs, before someone ends up killing a marshal.
Another big weekend for Buri. © Jacob Ebrey Photography.
Antti Buri’s took all three British Formula Ford races at Rockingham over the weekend, bringing his win total for 2012 to five.
Buri also notched three pole positions and a fastest lap for his troubles, as the JTR racer firmly stamped his authority on the weekend.
It gives the Finn a 70-point lead over Jamun racing rival Jake Cook, who claimed two 2nd place finishes, although a mechanical failure in race one damaged the Briton’s prospects.
As feeder categories are inclined to do from time-to-time, Saturday’s opening race basked itself in confusion, due to several midrace penalties for exceeding track limits. While there is no issue with the penalties per se, the guilty parties had a 5-second penalty added to their lap times during the race, rather than afterward.
The result was a track order that in no way matched the timing and scoring panel – something that confused the audience and commentators alike for the duration.
Some never learn though. Following race one winner Buri across the line, Eric Lichtenstein was later to be disqualified for continually breaching circuit limits, despite repeated warnings and a mid-race penalty.
It promoted Cavan Corcoran to 2nd; several seconds ahead of Luke Williams (3rd) and Julio Moreno (4th) – both of whom assumed five-second penalties.
Race Two was a far more tense affair as Cook shadowed Buri for all 13 laps, while Lichtenstein danced in Cook’s mirrors. Jumping to 2nd by turn one, Cook enjoyed a great start, while Lichtenstein slowly pulled his way up the order.
By lap 5 the top three consisted of Buri leading Cook, ahead of Lichtenstein – and there the status quo settled. Williams, meanwhile, dropped to 4th, but held Corcoran off until the flag.
Race Three had slightly more action, although in this instance, Buri – the victor – encountered some luck along the way. Buri led the early laps, only to be passed by Lichtenstein at the halfway mark – a pass that was undone when the new leader suffered a mechanical failure with three laps remaining.
It promoted Cook to 2nd, with Corcoran eventually grabbing 3rd from Fred Martyn-Dye in the final miles. Ryan Cullen rounded out the top five. Williams was another retirement before halfway, relinquishing 4th spot as his car drew to a stop.
The Duratec Class enjoyed different winners from each race, with Matt Rao, Olly Rae and Fabian Welter all enjoying success.
It was disappointing to note only fourteen drivers took part over the course of the round, as the British Formula Ford Championship struggles on in difficult times.
There is not too long to wait for the fourth round – the series visits Brands Hatch over the June 23rd / 24th weekend, although the competitors will be hoping for better weather than last year, when two races were red flag due to sudden monsoon rain conditions.
2012 British Formula Ford (Round 3, Race 1, 13 laps) Pos Driver Team Time / Gap 1. Antii Buri JTR 18:43.451 2. Cavan Corcoran JTR +9.587 3. Luke Williams Jamun +17.571 2012 British Formula Ford (Round 3, Race 2, 13 laps) Pos Driver Team Time / Gap 1. Antti Buri JTR 18:47.345 2. Jake Cook Jamun +1.377 3. Eric Lichtenstein Jamun +3.330 2012 British Formula Ford (Round 3, Race 3, 11 laps) Pos Driver Team Time / Gap 1. Antti Buri JTR 18:14.157 2. Jake Cook Jamun +2.671 3. Cavan Corcoran JTR +3.911
2012 British Formula Ford (Round 3) Pos Driver Team Points 1. Antti Buri JTR 259 2. Jake Cook Jamun 189 3. Fred Martin-Dye Enigma 176
© SRO.
Jack Harvey claimed his second British Formula 3 win of the season yesterday, lifting the Lincolnshire man to 2nd in the title race behind teammate Jazeman Jaafar.
Indeed, a confident Harvey made it look easy – despite expected appeals to the contrary. Alex Lynn rounded out a very good weekend with a strong to 2nd, three seconds up on Carlos Sainz Jr.
Unlike the weekend’s opening race, this occasion saw Harvey pull away neatly and cleanly from the grid, while the pack behind fought to lead the chase.
On fresh tyres, Harvey displayed superb pace, all the while consistently drawing away from Lynn’s Fortec machine – 7.2 seconds after ten laps; 14.1 after twenty; 22.2 by the race’s end. It may have been a deal more had the safety car not appeared…
It was a poor end to the day for Harvey’s Carlin teammate Harry Tincknell, whose race ended when Fahmi Ilyas punted him hard in the rear, bringing Ilyas’ weekend accident total to four.
Spike Goddard and Geoff Uhrhane also clashed on the opening lap, although Uhrhane continued following a lengthy pitstop – the Australian would finish two laps behind come the chequered flag. Goddard did return to the pits, only to climb out of his battered T-Sport machine.
The respective clashes brought out a two-lap safety car – not that this bothered Harvey too much; the 19-year-old merely pulled once again.
As for Lynn, the Fortec rookie spent several laps fighting off Sainz Jr, until the pace fell away for the latter driver, with the race becoming more about car preservation as opposed to all out attack.
Not that they weren’t pushing – they were – but this was one day when no one was moving up the order.
Jazeman Jaafar’s impressive run continued with a solid drive to 4th, ensuring the Malaysian left Rockingham with a series lead of 13 points.
Hannes van Asseldonk and Felix Serralles (both Fortec) shadowed Jaafar until the flag, but neither could take advantage, although that’s not to say there was any advantage to be taken.
Pipo Derani ended up being one of the race’s few movers thanks to a lap five pass on Ilyas for 7th place. From there the field was static, with Ilyas piloting his Double R machine home in 8th, followed by Pietro Fantin (who was callously squeezed on the opening lap in turn one) and Nick McBride (who finished exactly where he started).
Goddard’s retirement made life very easy for National Class rival Duvashen Padayachee. The rookie brought his Mugen-Honda-powered Double R home in 11th overall. It is a result that makes the National Class rather interesting – Goddard’s lead over Padayachee has now been sliced to 16 points.
2012 British F3 Round of Rockingham (Rd 4, Race 3, 30 laps)
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Jack Harvey Carlin Dallara-VW 40m11.308s
2. Alex Lynn Fortec Dallara-Merc + 22.240s
3. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin Dallara-VW + 25.408s
4. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin Dallara-VW + 28.957s
5. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Dallara-Merc + 29.559s
6. Felix Serralles Fortec Dallara-Merc + 31.728s
7. Pipo Derani Fortec Dallara-Merc + 59.038s
8. Fahmi Ilyas Double R Dallara-Merc + 1m02.842s
9. Pietro Fantin Carlin Dallara-VW + 1m04.453s
10. Nick McBride T-Sport Dallara-Nissan + 1m05.654s
11. Duvashen Padayachee Double R Dallara-Mugen + 1 lap
12. Geoff Uhrhane Double R Dallara-Merc + 2 laps
Retirements:
Harry Tincknell Carlin Dallara-VW 1 lap
Spike Goddard T-Sport Dallara-Mugen 1 lap
Italics = National Class
2012 British F3 Series points standings (Rd 4) Pos Driver Points International Class 1. Jazeman Jaafar 137 2. Jack Harvey 124 3. Carlos Sainz Jr 118 4. Felix Serralles 101 5. Alex Lynn 98 6. Harry Tincknell 72 7. Pietro Fantin 72 8. Pipo Derani 71 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 52 10. Nick McBride 28 National Class 1. Spike Goddard 176 2. Duvashen Padayachee 160
© SRO.
A jubilant Harry Tincknell grabbed his first British F3 of 2012 thanks to a stellar drive at Rockingham Motor Speedway this morning.
Tincknell’s Carlin teammate Pietro Fantin took the runner-up prize, while Jack Harvey came home 3rd to make it a Carlin 1-2-3 at the end of 15 laps.
The second-season driver shot passed poleman Nick McBride* off the line, settling into an early – if narrow – lead from Fantin, who also benefitted from sluggish opening lap by the pole sitter.
The gap between the leading pair rarely extended beyond one-and-a-half seconds, yet Tincknell at no point appeared fussed by the presence of his Brazilian teammate.
And Fantin was pushing – a warning for breaching track limits was issued at least once as the Carlin racer flung his Dallara around Rockingham’s tight infield. Each time Fantin reduced the gap, Tincknell responded in kind.
It mattered little for the Essex native, who eventually took the win by six-tenths of-a-second.
A rather lonely Harvey filled out the podium place. The Lincolnshire man skipped by McBride on the fifth lap, but never looked likely to catch the Tincknell / Fantin fight.
Meanwhile, McBride continued to fall backward, eventually falling to 9th. The T-Sport racer would soon lose out to Felix Serralles (lap 7), Hannes van Asseldonk (lap 8), Jazeman Jaafar (lap 9), Alex Lynn (lap 10) and Pipo Derani (lap 15).
Serralles claimed 4th – another solid result for the Puerto Rican, helped somewhat by an early move on teammate van Asseldonk.
The Dutchman fell back toward the pack as the race aged, but not far enough for Jaafar or Lynn to take advantage. For the final few laps, the trio crossed the line virtually line astern and were covered by a mere 1.5 seconds as the chequered flag flew.
Derani assumed 8th with McBride in his mirrors, while Fahmi Ilyas rounded out the top ten, despite clouting Carlos Sainz Jr four laps in, dropping the Spaniard to 13th – although the kerfuffle promoted Geoff Uhrhane up to 11th.
Sainz Jr claimed a spot from Duvashen Padayachee at the midpoint; however it is unlikely to have troubled Padayachee too much, who won the National Class irrespective.
* {note 1}
The pre-race grid formation resembled some odd chaos. Penalties from race one were still being appealed as cars lined up on the grid, meaning original poleman Pipo Derani was dropped to 9th.
Carlos Sainz Jr was then awarded pole, only to have it taken away from his moments later, when his race one penalty was confirmed, promoting Nick McBride – who was punted by Derani yesterday – to the top spot.
It resulted in a rather ridiculous situation of several cars being wheeled up and down the grid, ensuring the race began 15 minutes late.
2012 British Formula 3 Series (Rd 4, Race 2) Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap 1. Harry Tincknell Carlin Dallara-VW 20m03.332s 2. Pietro Fantin Carlin Dallara-VW + 0.645s 3. Jack Harvey Carlin Dallara-VW + 11.211s 4. Felix Serralles Fortec Dallara-Merc + 15.599s 5. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Dallara-Merc + 21.835s 6. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin Dallara-VW + 22.700s 7. Alex Lynn Fortec Dallara-Merc + 23.323s 8. Pipo Derani Fortec Dallara-Merc + 29.726s 9. Nick McBride T-Sport Dallara-Nissan + 31.077s 10. Fahmi Ilyas Double R Dallara-Merc + 31.342s 11. Geoff Uhrhane Double R Dallara-Merc + 31.687s 12. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin Dallara-VW + 44.168s 13. Duvashen Padayachee Double R Dallara-Mugen + 54.468s 14. Spike Goddard T-Sport Dallara-Mugen + 1m13.664s
Italics = National class
2012 British Formula 3 Series points standings (Rd 4, Race 2) Pos Driver Points International Class 1. Jazeman Jaafar 127 2. Carlos Sainz Jr 106 3. Jack Harvey 103 4. Felix Serralles 95 5. Alex Lynn 83 6. Harry Tincknell 72 7. Pietro Fantin 70 8. Pipo Derani 67 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 44 10. Nick McBride 27 National Class 1. Richard Goddard 176 2. Duvashen Padayachee 139
© SRO.
Jazeman Jaafar claimed a stellar British F3 victory at Rockingham this afternoon, despite the best intentions of Alex Lynn and Felix Serralles.
The Carlin racer jumped into the lead from 3rd when front row pairing Jack Harvey and Lynn bogged down on the line.
Lynn recovered from his poor start – helped somewhat by Harvey blocking an emerging pack – to find himself back in 2nd and fighting off Fortec teammates Serralles and Hannes van Asseldonk.
The front three pulled away from van Asseldonk; however they would rarely be covered by more than three seconds.
Each lap around, Jaafar, Lynn and Serralles measured the gap to each other – occasionally pulling slightly away or being drawn in, yet with every tour the chances of a move up the order became less and less likely.
Ever calm, Jaafar held the gap out front, eventually winning by 2.1 seconds – adding to recent successes at Pau and Brands Hatch. The Malaysian had every right to be pleased with his performance:
“It feels amazing. To get where we are today, we kept it consistent and kept it cool. [At the start] I found my clutch ready to go and when [the lights] switched off, I went for it without looking left or right and then Jack had a poor start; I went inside straight away and just pulled the gap from there. In the beginning [I was worried about Lynn], but after the rhythm got started, my laptimes started improving, I didn’t worry after that.”
Unable to force the issue, Lynn brought his Mercedes-powered Fortec home in the runner-up spot, albeit with a gap of only six-tenths over Serralles. For Lynn, there was some relief:
“It was a bad start and then in the first corner, I made up for it and tried to put my car in the best place possible. The pace was too similar. I could catch and push Jazeman a little bit, but he would pull out again.”
Serralles, too, was happy with the outcome:
“I think I had the pace to challenge for 2nd place, but not sure about Jazeman. I’m just really happy I ended up on the podium – I didn’t qualify very well and it’s not my favourite track I’m just happy to have the points.
I hard a really good start off the dirty side [of the track], but there was a big shuffle and Harvey and Alex didn’t have great starts and we just battled it out into the first corner and I was fortunate to come out in 3rd place.”
Van Asseldonk assumed 4th, although the Dutch pilot came close to losing the place to Harvey at the line. Carlin racer Pietro Fantin enjoyed a rather uneventful drive to 6th – the Brazilian was neither close to Harvey, nor too threatened from behind.
A stunning start by Harry Tincknell saw him climb from the final row to 8th place by turn one. That became 7th on lap two with a move on Fahmi Ilyas; however the Essex racer was unable to progress further.
Ilyas’ race would go from bad to worse. Demoted by Tincknell, the Malaysian lost his front wing the next time by, dropping him a lap behind the field.
It wasn’t the end of the action for Ilyas – the Double R driver hit the rear of T-Sport’s Nick McBride while trying to unlap himself, resulting in retirement for Ilyas.
Carlos Sainz Jr finished 8th on the road; however the Spaniard picked up a post-race penalty for exceeding the track limits at turn seven, demoting him to 9th. It brought Pipo Derani above Sainz Jr, gifting the Fortec racer with pole position for race two in the process.
Like Sainz Jr, McBride crossed the line in 10th, only to be dropped to 12th when received a penalty for the same infraction.
As a result, Spike Goddard rounded out the top ten – securing the National Class win as well – but only just, as the T-Sport man edged rival Duvashen Padayachee over the line by six-tenths.
Geoff Uhrhane’s race ended after four laps when an inattentive Pipo Derani callously unted the Double R man off the road at Chapman’s.
It is a result that give Jaafar a 15-point lead over Sainz Jr in the point standings, with Harvey 30 points back in 3rd spot.
Pos Driver Team/Car Time/Gap
1. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin Dallara-VW 29m18.055s
2. Alex Lynn Fortec Dallara-Merc + 2.173s
3. Felix Serrallés Fortec Dallara-Merc + 2.855s
4. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Dallara-Merc + 6.718s
5. Jack Harvey Carlin Dallara-VW + 6.853s
6. Pietro Fantin Carlin Dallara-VW + 12.835s
7. Harry Tincknell Carlin Dallara-VW + 16.006s
8. Pipo Derani Fortec Dallara-Merc + 53.243s
9. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin Dallara-VW + 1m03.563s
10. Spike Goddard T-Sport Dallara-Mugen + 1m07.987s
11. Duvashen Padayachee Double R Dallara-Mugen + 1m08.672s
12. Nick McBride T-Sport Dallara-Nissan + 1m15.935s
Retirements:
Fahmi Ilyas Double R Dallara-Merc 14 laps
Geoff Uhrhane Double R Dallara-Merc 3 laps
2012 British F3 Series points standings (Rd 4, Race 1) International Class Pos Driver Points 1. Jazeman Jaafar 121 2. Carlos Sainz Jr 106 3. Jack Harvey 91 4. Felix Serralles 85 5. Alex Lynn 79 6. Pipo Derani 64 7. Pietro Fantin 54 8. Harry Tincknell 52 9. Hannes van Asseldonk 36 10. Nick McBride 25 National Class Pos Driver Points 1. Richard 'Spike' Goddard 161 2. Duvashen Padayachee 118
Harvey in pre-season testing. © Jakob Ebrey Photography.
Jack Harvey secured a pair of poles for the fourth round of the British Formula 3 Series.
The Carlin driver led virtually the entire session, although the line-up behind the Lincolnshire man was far from static.
Harvey secured a best lap of 1:17.444 for Sunday’s 40-minute feature race – giving the 19-year-old an advantage of two-tenths over Fortec’s Alex Lynn*.
Lynn mixed the 2nd spot with Carlin pair Jazeman Jaafar and Carlos Sainz Jr for much of the session, with Jaafar securing 3rd spot over his Spanish compatriot.
Harry Tincknell (Carlin) and Hannes van Asseldonk (Fortec) line up on row three, approximately half-a-second shy of the top spot, although Tincknell is under investigation for breaching track limits.
Pietro Fantin (Carlin) grabbed 7th, two-tenths ahead of Felix Serralles (Fortec), while Pipo Derani (Fortec) and Fahmi Ilyas (Double R) rounded out the top ten.
T-Sport’s Nick McBride (11th) and Geoff Uhrhane (Double R, 12th) were the last of the International Class runners, although had a solid one-two second advantage over National Class duo Spike Goddard (T-Sport, 13th) and Duvashen Padayachee (Double R, 14th).
Harvey also leads Lynn in the line-up for race one, although in this instance Sainz Jr will head Jaafar. Tincknell and Fantin secured an all-Carlin third row, with van Asseldonk dropping to 7th alongside Serralles.
Ilyas nudged ahead of Derani for 9th and 10th; however the final four spots on the grid are a carbon copy of the feature race grid.
{note 1}
Lynn topped yesterday’s free practice session, although mixed weather played havoc with the conditions. Fantin ended the day in 2nd spot, garnering a four-tenths advantage over Fortec duo van Asseldonk and Serralles.
Sainz Jr went faster in the morning, but fell to 5th come the chequered flag, while Harvey took 6th overall.
**Times to uploaded shortly…
© SRO.
Following a four-week break, the Cooper Tyres British Formula 3 Series switches from the warm climes of Pau to the rather more chilly atmosphere of Rockingham in England’s North-East.
However, it’s not just the weather that differs between these two disparate European venues – the challenge of the circuit significantly alters too.
Where Pau indulged those with an intricate street fighter spirit, Rockingham is kinder to drivers who appreciate top end speed, mixed with a touch of twisty technique.
Made up of a half-oval and half tight-infield layout, the circuit challenges drivers and teams alike to uncover the sweet spot between maximising high speed sector for overtaking, while also creating a neutral balance for the infield.
While most circuits hold this challenge, few are full throttle for a long, while also slowing quite dramatically as Rockingham.
As such, Carlin’s Carlos Sainz Jr will be hoping to nail his sums right during today’s practice sessions. The Spaniard currently leads the British F3 Series by three-points from teammate Jazeman Jaafar, while Jack Harvey sits a further eighteen points adrift in 3rd.
All eyes may well be on Fortec however, as their quartet of drivers – currently led in the standings by Felix Serralles – aim to claw back some of the deficit to the top spot.
Serralles has been one of the surprise packages of 2012, after taking two early season wins, yet during mid-season testing at Rockingham two weeks ago, the Puerto Rican was some distant of teammates Alex Lynn and Hannes van Asseldonk on the timesheets.
Lynn currently inhabits 5th in points standings, with van Asseldonk a disappointing 9th – both will be on the lookout for big scores this weekend to jumpstart their title charges.
In the National Class, Richard ‘Spike’ Goddard has led every step of the way and currently holds a 39-point lead over his sole rival Duvashen Padayachee, although the Australian will be looking to claw at least some of that back this weekend.
This is merely the beginning of a busy period for British Formula 3, as rounds at Brands Hatch, Norisring and Spa-Francorchamps begin to loom large.
So far, the British F3 Series has delivered five different race winners in 2012, with the championship lead changing at every round thus far. Let’s see if this trend continues at Rockingham.
Qualifying kicks off at Rockingham from 10:45am on Saturday (June 9th), with the opening race commencing at 3:15pm. The remaining two races roll off from 10:40am and 1:50pm on Sunday June 10th.
2012 British Formula 3 Series points standings (after Rd 3) Pos Driver Points International Class 1. Carlos Sainz (Carlin) 104 points 2. Jazeman Jaafar (Carlin) 101 3. Jack Harvey (Carlin) 83 4. Felix Serralles (Fortec) 73 5. Alex Lynn (Fortec) 64 National class: 1. Spike Goddard (T-Sport) 141 2. Duvashen Padayachee (Double R) 102
© GP3 Media Services.
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.
—-
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
© GP2 Media Services.
Johnny Cecotto Jr and Jolyon Palmer continued Monaco’s occasional form for surprise winners, with the pairing taking victories in the principality last weekend.
With the big points going to those normally associated with the midfield, the series’ top players were left to scramble for minor placings – if they finished at all.
Although the carnage at the beginning of the Sprint Race assured nearly every finisher took home some sort of prize.
——
TV Notes
Feature Race (May 25th)
Johnny Cecotto Jr picked up his first GP2 victory last week on the streets of Monaco, despite constant pressure from Marcus Ericsson.
The Venezuelan – whose previously best GP2 finish of 4th also came at Monaco, in 2010 – held the Swede at bay for all 42 laps, crossing the line with an advantage of 0.564 seconds. Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde took 3rd spot.
Cecotto Jr led virtually every lap, only ceding the front during the pitstops, and while the fast-starting Ericsson* pushed the Barwa Addax racer, there was nowhere for the iSport driver to make a move.
The lead rarely extended beyond two seconds – often loitering around the one second mark – something that must have hurt the iSport crew when they lost a couple of seconds in the pits during Ericsson’s 23rd lap stop.
Taking new tyres on the following tour allowed Cecotto back out ahead of Ericsson, whereby the on track chess match recommenced in earnest, although Ericsson had little in the way of potent ammunition.
There followed a sort of stalemate, guaranteeing victory and twenty-five points for Cecotto Jr.
Van der Garde enjoyed a quieter event on his run to 3rd. Like Ericsson, the Dutch pilot jumped Carlin’s Max Chilton off the line and from there proved too quick to be challenged by the chasing pack, while also too slow to challenge the leading pair.
Series leader Davide Valsecchi enjoyed a far more exciting race in his DAMS machine. The Italian began the race in 7th, locking onto a fight with Chilton, Luiz Razia (Arden) and Jolyon Palmer (iSport).
Valsecchi remained in that position until the stops. Staying out until lap 26, the GP2 veteran maintained an efficient pace on his Pirelli’s, as others pitted only to find themselves locked in Monegasque traffic. His pace speedy and consistent, Valsecchi ensured he jumped ahead of his rivals, emerging 4th as the pit work filtered out.
Chilton was the first to lose out, dropping to 5th despite starting on the front row – indeed a poor getaway suffocated the Englishman’s race almost immediately.
Chilton ended the day four seconds clear of Palmer (6th), with Lotus man James Calado a further four seconds adrift in 7th. Despite starting 13th, Lotus brought Calado into play following an early stop, allowing the GP3 graduate to run confidently in clean air.
Trident racer Stephane Richelmi applied a similar strategy to come home 8th after lining up 14th, earning the reverse grid pole position for the Sprint Race.
Richelmi finished several seconds clear of Nathanael Berthon (Racing Engineering) and Stefano Coletti (Coloni), with the latter managing 39 laps on his Pirelli’s before pitting for fresh rubber.
Backmarkers played a big role in the midfield, with both Giancarlo Serenelli and Fabrizio Crestani in particular creating havoc throughout. A nadir was reached when Crestani blocked Esteban Gutierrez (Lotus) at the chicane, causing the Mexican to launch into the barriers, causing his weekend to sink further after a disastrous Friday** – the spread debris proceeded to slice Razia’s tyres apart.
* {note 1}
Qualifying saw the field split into two groups, in order to avoid a repeat of embarrassing scenes from the previous season’s qualifying session.
The order was set by two 15-minute sessions, with even number cars assuming one side of the grid and odd-numbered cars on the other. The fastest group took the left-hand side of the grid and with it the pole slot.
Johnny Cecotto Jr took pole position by heading “Group 2”, just bumping “Group 1” quick man Max Chilton across to the dirty side of the track.
** {note 2}
Cecotto Jr also headed practice, this time ahead of Davide Valsecchi, Fabio Leimer and Giedo van der Garde. There were few incidents, including a major dent for Esteban Gutierrez, who crashed into the St Devote barriers after only four minutes of running. Giancarlo Serenelli, van der Garde and Josef Kral all spun without making contact during the session.
2012 GP2 Round of Monaco (Rd 5, Feature Race, 42 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Johnny Cecotto Addax 59m42.521s
2. Marcus Ericsson iSport + 0.564s
3. Giedo van der Garde Caterham + 5.040s
4. Davide Valsecchi DAMS + 16.347s
5. Max Chilton Carlin + 17.378s
6. Jolyon Palmer iSport + 21.883s
7. James Calado Lotus + 25.685s
8. Stephane Richelmi Trident + 42.275s
9. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering + 45.319s
10. Stefano Coletti Coloni + 47.099s
11. Tom Dillmann Rapax + 51.285s
12. Simon Trummer Arden + 1m04.054s
13. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham + 1m21.395s
14. Rio Haryanto Carlin + 1m23.537s
15. Luiz Razia Arden + 1m23.639s
16. Victor Guerin Ocean + 1 lap
17. Felipe Nasr DAMS + 1 lap
18. Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering + 1 lap
19. Fabrizio Crestani Lazarus + 1 lap
20. Ricardo Teixeira Rapax + 1 lap
21. Julian Leal Trident + 2 laps
22. Giancarlo Serenelli Lazarus + 2 laps
Retirements:
Esteban Gutierrez Lotus 37 laps
Nigel Melker Ocean 32 laps
Fabio Onidi Coloni 26 laps
Josef Kral Addax 0 laps
Sprint Race (May 26th)
Jolyon Palmer grabbed his first GP2 win following a crash intensive Sprint Race at Monaco. The iSport racer headed Max Chilton (Carlin) by one second, with Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde 3rd a further three seconds adrift.
Realistically, the race wasn’t especially close – and Palmer has James Calado to thank for that. A stellar start allowed the iSport racer to leap Calado and poleman Stephane Richelmi before reaching St Devote; however Calado was less successful with his move on Richelmi.
The Lotus pilot punted Richelmi in the rear, breaking his front wing while also forcing the Swiss racer out.
Despite his wounded car, Calado persisted in 2nd place ahead of Chilton until the stewards called the Englishman in for a change on lap 11, bringing Chilton in to 2nd spot. By then, Palmer and Chilton were already over ten seconds apart.
The gap may have been longer had it not been for a four-lap long safety car period following another smash on the opening lap, this time started by Feature Race victor Johnny Cecotto Jr.
As the field began to filter through Massenet, Cecotto lost the rear end, starting a violent chain reaction that took out not only the Venezuelan, but also seven other cars – most significantly series leader Davide Valsecchi.
A precious and expensive game of pinball developed as cars bounced into each other with enough violence to rip wheels, suspension units and carbon fibre other parts clean away. Most spectacularly was Felipe Nasr, who rammed the unsighted Victor Guerin in the rear, sending him briefly airborne.
All of these developments effectively gave the race to Palmer – although the Englishman still had do some work to take the win. The Englishman kept a measured gap to Chilton to the flag, allowing it to close mere tenths at a time with every tour.
Meanwhile, van der Garde – enjoying another quiet race – also drew toward the front, but did so without raising the alarm of the leading pair.
Behind van der Garde, it was predictably single file running, with iSport’s Marcus Ericsson claiming 4th ahead of the surprisingly quick Rodolfo Gonzalez (Caterham, 5th).
Luiz Razia (Arden) and Esteban Gutierrez (Lotus) spent the race swapping fastest lap times as they shot for the bonus two points – a fight won by Razia. They pair would come home 6th and 8th respectively, split by Nathanael Berthon (Racing Engineering).
Only twelve drivers managed to complete the thirty-lap distance. Arden’s Simon Trummer assumed the first non-points place in 9th, all the while holding Josef Kral (Barwa Addax, 10th), Rio Haryanto (Carlin, 11th) and Nigel Melker (ORT, 12th) at bay.
Calado eventually retired from 13th spot on lap 21 in what would be his first non-finish in any category of racing since April 3rd, 2010***.
*** {note 3}
Incredibly, James Calado‘s last race retirement came at the opening round of the 2010 British Formula 3 Series at Oulton Park. Calado did not actually start race two of the Magny Cours round the following month; however this does not count to his record, as the Briton did not take to the parade lap.
By Monaco, Calado’s run of consecutive finishes had reached fifty-six races.
2012 GP2 Round of Monaco (Rd 5, Sprint Race, 30 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Jolyon Palmer iSport 45m41.227s
2. Max Chilton Carlin + 1.083s
3. Giedo van der Garde Caterham + 4.426s
4. Marcus Ericsson iSport + 8.133s
5. Rodolfo Gonzalez Caterham + 19.968s
6. Luiz Razia Arden + 23.273s
7. Nathanael Berthon Racing Engineering + 26.376s
8. Esteban Gutierrez Lotus + 26.880s
9. Simon Trummer Arden + 31.663s
10. Josef Kral Addax + 35.338s
11. Rio Haryanto Carlin + 36.546s
12. Nigel Melker Ocean + 37.164s
Retirements:
James Calado Lotus 20 laps
Julian Leal Trident 12 laps
Fabio Leimer Racing Engineering 8 laps
Fabrizio Crestani Lazarus 8 laps
Stephane Richelmi Trident 0 laps
Davide Valsecchi DAMS 0 laps
Johnny Cecotto Addax 0 laps
Stefano Coletti Coloni 0 laps
Tom Dillmann Rapax 0 laps
Victor Guerin Ocean 0 laps
Felipe Nasr DAMS 0 laps
Ricardo Teixeira Rapax 0 laps
Giancarlo Serenelli Lazarus 0 laps
Fabio Onidi Coloni 0 laps
2012 GP2 Series Points Standings (Rd 5) Drivers’ Championship Pos Driver Points 1. Davide Valsecchi 141 2. Luiz Razia 110 3. Giedo van der Garde 85 4. Max Chilton 79 5. James Calado 75 6. Esteban Gutierrez 60 7. Fabio Leimer 41 8. Marcus Ericsson 34 9. Johnny Cecotto Jr 31 10. Stefano Coletti 29 Teams’ Championship Pos Team Driver 1. DAMS 169 2. Lotus 135 3. Arden 111 4. Carlin 95 5. Caterham 91
© GP3 Media Services.
Conor Daly encountered a rather large pot of luck earlier today following a huge accident with Dmitry Suranovich during the GP3 “Sprint Race” in Monaco.
The American was preparing to overtake Marussia Manor racer Suranovich on lap 11 of the race, when the Russian – minus a rear wing – weaved repeatedly into the path of the Lotus GP driver throughout the tour.
On the approach to the chicane, Daly ducked to the inside line, with Suranovich again responding reactively to the move.
The pair connected, sending Daly skyward and into a violent collision with the top of the catch fencing, which thankfully rebounded the car away from the heavily occupied marshal post.
Daly’s Lotus, shorn of one of his front wheels, wings and sidepod’s, fell back toward the circuit and eventually the run off area, as torn debris rained down on the circuit, peppering a number of other drivers with loose carbon fibre.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported, especially amongst the marshal’s, some of whom came perilously close to being involved in a tragic incident.
Suranovich has already been excluded from the race results – not that it matters – however he may face further punishment from the series organisers.
The incident saw a great deal of criticism pointed in Suranovich’s direction, after he had reportedly ignored the black and orange flag*, continuing to race on, despite his lack of a rear section.
It once again raises questions regarding the quality of some of the competitors in the field. At 16-years-old, Suranovich is one of the youngest driver’s competing at this level, yet incredibly young drivers is becoming a more common feature.
While mandating an age limit is certainly not being suggested, it must be realised that 16-year-old drivers have precious little racing experience, especially considering many have only recently picked up their first racing licenses at that point.
Considering GP3 is a mere two-steps away from Formula 1, perhaps it is time real racing experience is taken into consideration when a driver signs up for this series**.
It follows on from scary incidents earlier in the day. On the opening lap of the GP3 race Will Buller, Alice Powell and Alex Brundle collided at St Devote, leaving Buller upside down in the cul-de-sac.
The GP2 featured two first lap crashes, including one multi-car pile-up in the run up to Casino Square, which saw ten cars eliminated.
* {note 1}
Although the wording varies from series-to-series, the black and orange flag generally means “your car is damaged, pit immediately.”
** {note 2}
This may not be a popular suggestion.
Monaco. © Will Pittenger / Creative Commons.
TV Notes
——
McLaren’s Jenson Button and Ferrari-man Fernando Alonso showed their flair when they registered the top times during Thursday’s respective practice sessions at Monte Carlo.
Button was the quicker of the pair in a rain interrupted afternoon session – his best of 1:15.746 on Pirelli super-soft tyres gave the 2009 World Champion a four-tenths advantage over Lotus pilot Romain Grosjean.
Indeed the conditions played a pivotal part in the framing of the session. With the surface greasy as opposed to wet, many teams concluded the circuit to be too damp for slicks, but not wet enough for wets for much of the running.
As the rain fell harder later on, that emphasis changed, with several cars joining the action.
With Button running a high fuel run on the super-soft, McLaren offered a brief glimpse into a possible raceday strategy, yet the unpredictable nature of the Monaco track may yet still play havoc with that.
The Englishman led the majority of the session, having nabbed the top spot from Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi; however the greasy conditions prevented further improvements.
McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton grabbed 4th in the morning, but noted later that there was still plenty to learn; however team confidence is – in front of the cameras at least – quite high. Hamilton briefly flirted with the top spot in FP1, only for Grosjean, Sergio Perez (Sauber) and Alonso to vault him.
It was Alonso’s best of 1:16.265 that allowed him to jump to the head of the time charts come the end of FP1.
There were minor modifications to the F2012, but mainly to help it adapt to Monaco’s unique requirements; however the afternoon weather ensured the red team garnered no laps on the super-soft Pirelli’s.
Felipe Massa displayed some confidence boosting pace, ending FP1 in 6th spot, before improving to 3rd in the afternoon; however the Brazilian enjoyed some luck in the morning as he emerged unscathed following a scrap with the barriers at Tabac.
Grosjean was a model of consistency for Lotus in practice – the Frenchman finished 2nd in both sessions.
The Enstone squad completed several tyre evaluations throughout the day – despite the weather – with Grosjean registering 34 tours of the circuit.
However it proved to be an empty morning for Kimi Raikkonen, who completed only an installation lap. Feeling uncomfortable in his E20, the Finn requested a steering column alteration – a change that also demanded a hefty suspension realignment specific to Monte Carlo.
The team were delighted to discover their simulated set-ups translated well to the real circuit, bringing to an end a rather interesting week for Lotus*.
It was a rather more low key affair for Red Bull, as Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber coveted mid-table positions. The team lamented the difficult conditions, acknowledging that little had been learned during the 180 minutes of running.
Mercedes concentrated on circuit familiarisation and set-up work during the two sessions, although neither Nico Rosberg nor Michael Schumacher ran the super-soft tyre.
For the most part, the session proved a positive one for the German squad; however the veteran Schumacher lost a small lump of time, when he broke his front wing on the barriers at the Swimming Pool section toward the end of morning practice.
Williams completed minor aerodynamic evaluations, while also concentrating on set-up work and tyre comparisons. Neither driver would report any significant issues, although both Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado endured painless slides down the gripless escape road at Mirabeau.
Sauber had little complain about despite the loss of FP2 to the weather. Changes to their brake systems and floor (for Kamui Kobayashi) gave the Swiss team some comfort, without creating headline-breaking news.
Force India spent the morning fine-tuning aerodynamic balance and their mechanical set-up on the soft tyre; however the rain halted thoughts of long runs on the super-soft Pirelli; however both Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg were pleased to have garnered some miles on intermediate rubber.
Jean-Eric Vergne spent the morning merely acclimatising himself to Monaco in his Toro Rosso STR7. Daniel Ricciardo, too, required time to settle in, having only completed FP1 in 2011 in a Formula 1 car**. The team completed less than the optimum set-up work, much of which was due to be dome in the afternoon.
At the back Timo Glock encountered a problem in FP1, when his Marussia suffered from mechanical gremlins – this was made worse by the trying conditions of the afternoon. On the other hand, Charles Pic notched up 37 laps, including some on the Pirelli full wet tyres during FP2.
Caterham tried new suspension components; however Heikki Kovalainen brought FP1 to a premature halt when his Renault engine (an old one) blew apart in the tunnel, bringing out the red flag with nine minutes remaining. The Finn also had a harmless off at Mirabeau toward the end of FP2; however his reverse gear failed, ensuring his car could not escape the run-off.
As per usual, HRT featured at the rear of the field; however both Pedro de la Rosa and Narain Karthikeyan complete much of their pre-planned programme, including baseline work on upgrades.
Apart from the Williams pairing and Kovalainen, there were other offs at Mirabeau toward the end of FP2, including excursions for Massa and Perez. Karthikeyan also went down the escape road in FP1, but survived with no problem.
* {note 1}
Lotus have been in the news this week. On Thursday, the Enstone squad revealed a new partnership with business technology solutions company Avanade, in a drive to improve Lotus’ technological efficiencies and processes.
That was followed on Friday by the announcement that controversial Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar has been suspended with immediate effect pending an investigation into his conduct. Following the announcement, Group Lotus released the following:
“As a result of a number of media inquiries, Group Lotus plc (“Lotus”) can today confirm that, following an operational review, chief executive Dany Bahar has been temporarily suspended from his role to facilitate an investigation into a complaint about his conduct made by Lotus’ penultimate parent company, DRB-HICOM Berhad.”
As an aside, the only two remaining Lotus’ in tomorrow’s Indy 500 field are to start 32nd (Simona de Silvestro, HVM) and 33rd (Jean Alesi, Fan Force United) respectively. Whereas de Silvestro recorded a passable time in qualifying, Alesi’s entry appears to be a worrying 16mph shy of Ryan Briscoe’s pole speed.
** {note 2}
Although both Toro Rosso drivers will be making their Formula 1 debuts at Monaco, both have raced there previously in the Formula Renault 3.5 series.
With two wins for ISR, Ricciardo has shown incredible proficiency on the streets, including two pole positions and a fastest lap on the streets. Vergne’s single visit to the principality with Carlin proved to be less rewarding when he finished a lowly 12th.
2012 Monaco Grand Prix (Rd 6, Free Practice 1) Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m16.265s 22 2. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m16.630s + 0.365 17 3. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m16.711s + 0.446 19 4. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m16.747s + 0.482 12 5. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m16.760s + 0.495 20 6. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m16.843s + 0.578 19 7. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m17.038s + 0.773 21 8. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m17.190s + 0.925 13 9. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m17.222s + 0.957 14 10. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m17.261s + 0.996 18 11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m17.413s + 1.148 14 12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m17.631s + 1.366 18 13. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m18.106s + 1.841 14 14. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m18.209s + 1.944 25 15. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m18.252s + 1.987 28 16. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m18.302s + 2.037 16 17. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m18.617s + 2.352 20 18. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m19.039s + 2.774 20 19. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m19.341s + 3.076 16 20. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m20.838s + 4.573 26 21. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m20.895s + 4.630 18 22. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m21.638s + 5.373 9 23. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m22.423s + 6.158 15 24. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1
^Notes compiled from team releases and live updates
2012 Monaco Grand Prix (Rd 6, Free Practice 2) Pos Driver Team Time Laps 1. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m15.746s 14 2. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m16.138s + 0.392 17 3. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m16.602s + 0.856 19 4. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m16.661s + 0.915 21 5. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m16.820s + 1.074 18 6. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m17.021s + 1.275 13 7. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m17.148s + 1.402 21 8. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m17.153s + 1.407 20 9. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m17.293s + 1.547 9 10. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m17.303s + 1.557 19 11. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m17.375s + 1.629 17 12. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m17.395s + 1.649 19 13. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m17.655s + 1.909 18 14. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m17.800s + 2.054 23 15. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m18.251s + 2.505 22 16. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m18.440s + 2.694 23 17. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m18.522s + 2.776 20 18. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m18.808s + 3.062 24 19. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m19.267s + 3.521 23 20. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m19.309s + 3.563 27 21. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m20.029s + 4.283 13 22. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m20.240s + 4.494 19 23. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m20.631s + 4.885 12 24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m20.886s + 5.140 10
^Notes compiled from team releases and live updates
© SRO.
Alex Lynn topped this week’s British Formula 3 test at Rockingham Motor Speedway ahead of the its next round there in two weeks.
The Fortec racer narrowly pipped teammate Hannes van Asseldonk to the top of the timesheets with a best of 1:17.578 – a mere one tenth quicker than his Dutch counterpart.
Lynn set the quickest lap during the morning running, taking advantage of the cooler conditions at the north-eastern circuit, before moving toward set-up programmes.
Having opted to use a joker test day* at the circuit on Monday, the Formula Renault UK champion firmly bedding himself into the series, the test proved to be a confidence builder for Essex-born the 18-year-old.
Lynn also assumed the top position at the end of the final session, although lap times had fallen away come the final chequered flag.
Jazeman Jaafar headed the Carlin charge in 3rd, thanks to a 0.054s advantage over teammate Harry Tincknell, while Pipo Derani made it three Fortec drivers in the top five. Carlos Sainz Jr (Carlin) was fastest in the third session; however his best would only translate to 6th quickest overall.
The Spaniard held a small advantage over teammates Jack Harvey (7th) and Pietro Fantin (8th), although the latter endured an engine prone to over-revving, robbing the Brazilian of some finesse.
Felix Serralles assumed 9th in the final Fortec machine.
ATS German Formula 3 Cup** regular Mitchell Gilbert rounded out the top ten in his Performance Racing Volkswagen. Gilbert*** enjoyed a one-tent advantage over Double R’s Geoff Uhrhane (11th), who finally appears to be displaying more confidence in his new field of racing.
Uhrhane ended the day quicker than T-Sport rival Nick McBride (who claimed a credible 3rd in the final session) and Double R teammate Fahmi Ilyas (13th).
As per usual, the National Class pairing of Spike Goddard and Duvashen Padayachee filled out the bottom of the time sheets, with Goddard holding a 2.3 second advantage.
* {note 1}
Outside of the pre-planned test sessions, organised by either SRO or FOTA (Formula Three Association and nothing to do with the Formula 1 group), teams are allowed five independently organised test days, as long as those days are registered with the series.
** {note 2}
Although Gilbert took 10th overall, his Volkswagen-powered German F3 machine runs to slightly different engine rules.
Unlike British F3 and the F3 Euro Series, German F3 are allowed cars to utilise a “push-to-pass” facility – a technology that takes the series slightly outside FIA regulations for the formula. As such, Gilbert is not eligible for British Formula 3, despite the relatively minor difference in power output.
*** {note 3}
While his time may not make him stand out, it has not been the most unsuccessful of seasons for Gilbert. The Australian currently sits 2nd in the ATS Formula 3 Cup with 38 points, only one point behind series leader Lucas Auer (nephew of Gerhard Berger).
Interestingly, despite three races having already taken place at Zandvoort, neither Auer not Gilbert have actually won a race yet. In fact Auer leads even though he missed a race, yet the Austrian garnered enough bonus points from the Dutch meeting to leapfrog race winners Jimmy Eriksson, Yannick Mettler and Kimiya Sato.
2012 British Formula 3 Test (Rockingham, May 22nd) Pos Driver Team/car Time 1. Alex Lynn Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes 1m17.578s 2. Hannes van Asseldonk Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes 1m17.668s 3. Jazeman Jaafar Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m18.227s 4. Harry Tincknell Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m18.281s 5. Pipo Derani Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes 1m18.308s 6. Carlos Sainz Jr Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m18.367s 7. Jack Harvey Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m18.386s 8. Pietro Fantin Carlin Dallara-Volkswagen 1m18.492s 9. Felix Serralles Fortec Motorsport Dallara-Mercedes 1m18.659s 10. Mitchell Gilbert Performance Racing Dallara-Volkswagen* 1m18.736s 11. Geoff Uhrhane Double R Racing Dallara-Mercedes 1m18.835s 12. Nick McBride T-Sport Dallara-Nissan 1m18.989s 13. Fahmi Ilyas Double R Racing Dallara-Mercedes 1m19.161s 14. Spike Goddard T-Sport Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m20.454s 15. Duvashen Padayachee Double R Racing Dallara-Mugen Honda 1m22.768s
* = Not eligible for British F3
Italics = National Class
Unlike the current Grand Prix season, the 1969 World Championship proved to be a somewhat more predictable affair.
Jackie Stewart, driving the Ford-powered Matra machine, cruised to the title, winning six of the eleven championship events along the way.
On this occasion, Jacky Ickx proved to be Stewart’s nearest rival throughout the year – one mentions the word “rival”, but realistically Stewart was not far from having double of Ickx’s points tally come the season end, such was his dominance.
Monte Carlo was always something of a happy hunting ground for Stewart, having triumphed there on three separate occasions; however even his achievements pale into insignificance when compared the success achieved in the principality by the likes of Ayrton Senna and Graham Hill.
Having won the opening two rounds at Kyalami in South Africa and Spain’s Montjuic Park, Stewart already possessed 18 points – some ten more than next man Bruce McLaren.
Reigning champion Denny Hulme was a further point adrift in 3rd spot, while Hill and Jean-Pierre Beltoise coveted 4th and 5th respectively.
So then onto round three at Monaco. Would Stewart make it three in a row, or would the famed casino’s guide someone to a precious win, or would the King of Monaco – Graham Hill – pounce for more success on the city streets..?
Badger GP.
Top Formula 1 fan site Badger GP will be holding the latest in their Grand Prix screening events in London this Sunday.
The website – famed for its distinctly idiosyncratic and humourous look Badger GP are hosting the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix at the Roxy Bar and Screen just off Borough Street in London.
It follows on from the success of the Australian Grand Prix Breakfast, which was held in the same venue back in March.
As well as the screening the Grand Prix itself, full build-up and post-race coverage will be screened in high definition on a giant cinema-grade screen, while the sound of Formula 1’s current V6 monsters will be complemented by glorious surround sound.
For those also interested in the finer details in following a race, there will also be large timing and scoring screen, with F1-related Twitter feed, in operation.
Following the race, there will be a Grand Prix Quiz, a fan forum and a raffle, with prizes ranging from “Classic Monaco Grand Prix Art Prints” from Retro Formula 1, an “F1 2012 ‘Champions'” poster from Octane Photos, while Bang & Olufsen have delightfully offered a chance to win the perfect “F1 Viewing Experience” and a set of “Form 2” headphones. Also up for grabs will be tickets for this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
In addition, should a ticket holder be wearing black tie and suit affair, they will be rewarded with an extra five raffle tickets.
Doors are at hangover clasping 11am and tickets are £10 and are available from Grand Prix Screenings, with a raffle ticket going to each entrant. Don’t forget to check out BadgerGP.com for more events and bits and bobs and news.
To be in with a extra chance of winning, an additional five tickets can be purchased for £5, while a batch of ten tickets is available for a mere £8. However, do sign up quickly as there are only 100 spots available and (I believe) most have already been filled.
As always, the Grand Prix starts at 1pm, so get there early to ensure a seat. The Roxy Bar and Screen is a short walk from either Borough or London Bridge tube stations and is very easy to find as long as you can walk in a straight line.
© GP3 Media Services.
TV Notes
—-
GP3 season favourites Mitch Evans and Conor Daly stamped their authority on the series opener at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona last week.
Evans – driving for MW Arden – looked quick all weekend, despite tough opposition from his teammates and the Lotus trio, earning the championship lead thanks to Race One victory. Lotus pilot Daly showed his metal with a win on Sunday morning.
There is little doubt that they will spend much of the season facing off, although both must watch out for rivals Aaro Vainio and Matias Laine.
With the Spanish adventure now consigned to history, the series leaders will be looking for victory next week at Formula 1’s jewel event – the Monaco Grand Prix.
—-
Race One (May 12th)
Mitch Evans took the opening GP3 race of the 2012 season from Marlon Stockinger and Aaro Vainio, albeit with a touch luck from rivals Daniel Abt and Antonio Felix da Costa.
Both Abt (Lotus) and poleman* da Costa (Carlin) were penalised for jump-starts, with the former launching himself from 6th to the lead before many had even left their slots. Unsurprisingly, the pair held the lead, before being brought in for drive through penalties on lap seven and eight respectively, dropping them well out of contention.
Evans continued to lead with not much fuss, despite having his initial advantage wiped out by a midrace safety car for a stalled Kevin Ceccon (ORT). The Kiwi pushed on for the final five laps under green, eventually taking the victory by 2.6 seconds.
Status GP’s Stockinger had something of a quiet race. After passing a slow starting Conor Daly (Lotus), the Filipino racer settled in 4th spot behind Evans, rarely looking threatened, nor threatening. That became 2nd when Abt and da Costa were penalised.
Vainio gave Lotus some raceday relief** by completing the podium, albeit under constant pressure from Jenzer’s Patric Niederhauser, while Matias Laine (MW Arden) headed another tight battle across the line, as he pipped Daly and Tio Ellinas* (Manor) to 5th place.
It was a case of what could have been for Daly and Ellinas – a clutch issue at the start for Daly dropped him from 2nd to 8th, while Ellinas drove back from a qualifying penalty that left him on row eight.
Jenzer’s Robert Visoiu took 8th place and the pole for race two – the 16-year-old Romanian nipped across the line ahead of David Fumanelli (MW Arden, 9th) and Alex Brundle (Carlin, 10th).
There was some little carnage on the exit of turn one at the start when Atech CRS racer John Wartique clipped teammate Ethan Ringel who was then innocently hit Alice Powell (Status), taking both Ringel and Powell out of the race. Aside from the leading pair, Trident’s Antonio Spavone*** also jumped the start, pinning him to the far end of the results sheet.
* {note 1}
Da Costa took the first pole of the season, less than a tenth up on Lotus racer’s Daly and Vainio. A late quick lap gave Evans 4th, only just quicker than Stockinger. Ellinas assumed 6th, but was hit with a 10-place grid drop for setting a fast lap under waved yellows.
British F3 graduate Buller spun off on his final lap, ensuring he would start 13th. Ceccon never got a lap at all, after stopping after 5 minutes with a mechanical issue.
** {note 2}
MW Arden and Lotus showed their pace in the first practice session, with Arden’s Laine and Fumanelli slotting into 1st and 2nd, followed by all three Lotus’ headed by Vainio. Evans wound up 6th for Arden.
Manor endured a difficult session, when Ellinas stopped on track with a mechanical issue, followed by further malaise when Machado hit the turn 14 barriers. Trident’s Piria takes a 10-place penalty into qualifying after she set a quick lap under the resulting yellow flags.
*** {note 3}
It is possible Spavone is merely trigger happy from so much racing. The Italian is also competing in the Auto GP World Series, although an indifferent season thus far sees the 17-year-old locked in 10th in the standings, with 25 points.
His best finish thus far is 5th; however Spavone has made 8th his natural habitat after claiming four 8th place finishes in eight races. Former GP3 race winner Adrian Quaife-Hobbs leads the Auto GP World Series with 148 points, following three wins and four podiums.
2012 GP3 Round of Barcelona (Rd 1, Race 1, 16 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Mitch Evans MW Arden 28m38.738s
2. Marlon Stockinger Status + 2.609s
3. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 4.594s
4. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 5.071s
5. Matias Laine MW Arden + 6.284s
6. Conor Daly Lotus + 6.941s
7. Tio Ellinas Manor + 7.419s
8. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 10.102s
9. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 11.046s
10. Alex Brundle Carlin + 11.291s
11. Dmitry Suranovich Manor + 15.105s
12. Tamas Pa'l Kiss Atech CRS + 15.752s
13. Daniel Abt Lotus + 16.231s
14. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 16.577s
15. Robert Cregan Ocean + 17.132s
16. Fabiano Machado Manor + 17.775s
17. Antonio Spavone Trident + 18.284s
18. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 19.087s
19. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 19.626s
20. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 22.224s
21. John Wartique Atech CRS + 23.070s
22. Vicky Piria Trident + 32.897s
23. William Buller Carlin + 46.346s
Retirements:
Kevin Ceccon Ocean 7 laps
Ethan Ringel Atech CRS 0 laps
Alice Powell Status 0 laps
Race Two (May 13th)
Conor Daly grabbed his first GP3 victory with a fine drive last Sunday to finish ahead of Robert Visoiu and Matias Laine.
The American benefitted when original race leader Tio Ellinas was handed a drive through penalty for a jump-start (it was quite blatant); however once ahead, the American guided his Lotus to a clear-cut race win by 3.2 seconds.
Daly – who jumped polesitter Visoiu off the line – faced little opposition once Ellinas took his penalty.
Visoiu, too, drove to the flag to take 2nd with little competition from 3rd place Laine. While the race appeared close on paper (6.6 seconds covered 2nd through 8th place), few opportunities to overtake created a status quo in the field.
In order Aaro Vainio (Lotus) followed Laine across the line in 4th, with Patric Niederhauser a further eight-tenths adrift.
Carlin’s Antonio Felix da Costa wore his tyres almost to the canvas on his way to 6th following a battle with Daniel Abt – a desperate lunge from da Costa surprised both himself and Abt on lap 11, with the pair clashing wheels. Da Costa assumed the position in a rare overtaking manoeuvre.
Alex Brundle moved up the order by taking care of his Pirelli tyres – he challenged Abt late on, but could not force the issue; however 8th spot gave Brundle another point.
William Buller held Kevin Ceccon and Alice Powell off late on for 9th – 11th positions – stellar results considering the trio started 23rd, 24th and 25th respectively.
The trio were helped somewhat when Buller tapped Tamas Pa’l Kiss on the opening lap as they approached turn four, sending the Hungarian out of control and into a crash with the innocent Antonio Spavone and Robert Cregan.
Amidst the spinning and crashing, Dmitry Suranovich spun all by himself in the same corner.
Fabiano Machado also retired, this time on lap 12. The Manor GP racer was being overtaken around the outside of turn one for 12th place, only to scare himself into a race ending spin. Race One winner Mitch Evans suffered a slow puncture in the early laps – the resultant pitstop dropped him to the rear of the field, although he would recover to finish 20th.
2012 GP3 Round of Barcelona (Rd 1, Race 2, 16 laps)
Pos Driver Team Time/Gap
1. Conor Daly Lotus 27m21.043s
2. Robert Visoiu Jenzer + 3.265s
3. Matias Laine MW Arden + 4.168s
4. Aaro Vainio Lotus + 4.877s
5. Patric Niederhauser Jenzer + 5.669s
6. Antonio Felix da Costa Carlin + 8.688s
7. Daniel Abt Lotus + 9.341s
8. Alex Brundle Carlin + 9.833s
9. William Buller Carlin + 12.090s
10. Kevin Ceccon Ocean + 12.401s
11. Alice Powell Status + 13.664s
12. Kotaro Sakurai Status + 16.703s
13. John Wartique Atech CRS + 21.703s
14. Jakub Klasterka Jenzer + 25.550s
15. Tio Ellinas Manor + 28.133s
16. Vicky Piria Trident + 31.239s
17. David Fumanelli MW Arden + 31.608s
18. Ethan Ringel Atech CRS + 37.862s
19. Marlon Stockinger Status + 38.449s
20. Mitch Evans MW Arden + 51.421s
21. Carmen Jorda Ocean + 1m16.560s
Retirements:
Fabiano Machado Manor 12 laps
Robert Cregan Ocean 0 laps
Tamas Pa'l Kiss Atech CRS 0 laps
Antonio Spavone Trident 0 laps
Dmitry Suranovich Manor 0 laps
2012 GP3 Series Drivers’ Championship (Rd 1) Pos Driver Points 1. Mitch Evans 25 2. Conor Daly 23 3. Aaro Vainio 23 4. Matias Laine 20 5. Patric Niederhauser 20 6. Marlon Stockinger 18 7. Robert Visoiu 16 8. Antonio Felix da Costa 6 9. Tio Ellinas 6 10. Daniel Abt 4 2012 GP3 Series Teams’ Championship (Rd 1) Pos Teams Points 1. Lotus GP 50 2. MW Arden 47 3. Jenzer Motorsport 36 4. Status GP 18 5. Carlin 8
TheMotorsportArchive.com 