Mardenborough hauls in points at Spa-Francorchamps
The sixth round of the GP3 Championship took place at the infamous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
Photo by: GP3 Series Media Service
Spa-Francorchamps is the longest track on the calendar and one that often sees mixed weather conditions throughout one session, even more so across the entire 7.004km circuit that sits in the Ardennes Forest.
Following the downpour for the GP2 race earlier, the track was still drying for the first GP3 race of the weekend. Starting from eighth and with twelve laps ahead, Patric opted for slicks to avoid pitting later. Despite his great start as he came into turn one, he braked too late and clashed with Jimmy Eriksson (Korainen GP) ending both drivers’ race.
The team and I will do our best to continue and improve our form going to Monza.
Jann Mardenborough
Robert had a decent start from fourteenth but out-braked himself on lap four, hitting the barrier at the last chicane ending his race. British driver, Jann had better success with a good start from twelfth place, he steadily moved up to fourth place by mid-point of the race, collecting twelve points as he crossed the line.
Race two was no better for Swiss driver Patric as he started from the pit lane, due to a penalty for the race one incident. He completed four laps before touching the white line as he drove up to Les Combes, losing control of the car and contacting the barrier. Robert made up three places at the start but dropped back to cross the line in twentieth. Jann followed suit from his triumph in race one, starting fifth on the reverse grid he made up one place on the start and securely kept position until the chequered flag, picking up a further eight points.
Robert Visoiu: "Spa was as usual really tricky. I went on the formation lap of the first race on slicks to try out the drying surface and decided to keep these tyres on for the race. That was the right call and it put me in a good position for a top finish, but I lost control under braking and crashed out. Starting race two from the back of the grid allowed us to test the aero package for Monza so I hope we will be fast at the next weekend and get back in front, where I know we belong!"
Patric Niederhauser: "After a good qualifying I was actually almost certain that we could have a good chance of top places in the race. Not least because of our good strategy. But unfortunately due to my error and the starting accident in race one, it turned out differently. I'm very disappointed. I must move on from this race weekend as soon as possible and concentrate fully on Monza.”
Jann Mardenborough: "The weekend for me was a great points hunt, two fourth places is our best amount of points collected over a weekend. Which shows our performance is improving each weekend. The team and I will do our best to continue and improve our form going to Monza.”
Arden International
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