Evans maintains Series lead after Silverstone chaos

There were no points for MW Arden in this morning’s second GP3 Series race, but Mitch Evans continues to lead the title chase. The teenage Kiwi followed the majority by starting on wet tyres in mixed conditions, but he dropped back from the leading group as conditions became drier by the lap. After pitting for slicks, he eventually recovered to finish a topsy-turvy race – winner Will Buller (Carlin) started 25th – in 11th place.

Mitch Evans

Photo by: GP3 Media Service

Team-mate Matias Laine also dropped steadily down the order before making a tyre stop. He was running just behind Evans when Aaro Vainio (Lotus GP) hit his fellow Finn from behind, damaging the rear wing. Matias eventually retired to the pits, although he was classified 18th.

Once again, there were only two MW Arden cars in the race because David Fumanelli was absent on compassionate grounds.

Mitch Evans :

“I made a mega start, up from seventh to third, but it was soon clear that the car was understeering and that hurt the tyres more and more as the race went on. I eventually pitted for slicks when the track dried and it took a couple of laps to bring them up to temperature. The car was really good in the closing stages and I was able to recover to 11th, but my bid to get fastest lap was thwarted by traffic. It’s a mystery to have been so slow on wets and the result is a disappointment, but Aaro Vainio didn’t score, either, so I didn’t suffer too much in the title race.”

Matias Laine:

“I made a good start and thought I was set for a strong result, but then the track dried and it was inevitable that the tyres would suffer. I tried to carry on, but started losing positions to the guys that started on slicks and it was obvious that I’d have to change, too. After my stop I was just trying to finish as high as possible, but Vainio ran into me and that was that. Hopefully I’ll have better fortune in Germany.”

Source: MW Arden