Points in Paul Ricard for Carlin

In a chaotic second race of the FIA Formula Three European season Alessio Lorandi has taken an impressive sixth position gaining a total of eight places over the course of the 33 minute race to take his first points of the season. Lorandi was closely followed home by team mate Ryan Tveter in seventh position taking his highest finish in the series while Raoul Hyman rounded off the top ten nicely for Carlin with Peter Li Zhi Cong finishing the race at Paul Ricard in 15th.

There were tense moments before the start of the race as predicted rain looked likely to make an impact however despite drops in the air the weather held and the field could be sent off on slick tyres. The drama was quick to arrive at turn one though with Lance Stroll among a group of cars all involved in incidents and that left them stranded on track and unable to continue. Throughout this, Tveter had blitzed his way through the field gaining an incredible 11 places before the safety car was deployed on track to deal with the casualties. Under the controlled conditions Tveter was sixth, Lorandi ninth, Hyman tenth and Li 15th.

A few short laps later and field was free once again to race – Tveter continued to show his speed but despite a quick restart was unable to make his move on Anthoine Hubert ahead; he laid in wait as the race continued. Behind, the action was continuing with Hyman pulling off arguably one of the moves of the race as he pulled a brave overtaking manoeuvre around the outside of Nikita Mazepin – taking ninth from the Hitech GP driver.

Lorandi was one of the next to try as he prepared to take on Sergio Sette Camara in a battle that would escalate around him as an entire group of cars began to get involved, with passing attempts made at almost every possible moment throughout the coming laps.

The race however was once again halted by the appearance of a safety car in the closing minutes after the car of Ralf Aron lost a tyre on track which sent his car towards the barriers.  By the time the incident was clear there was just one final lap let to reach the chequered flag.

The last lap dash was a frantic affair with final moves being pulled as the field jostled for their finishing positions. Following a multitude of three car wide moves it was Lorandi who crossed the line sixth while Tveter was close behind in seventh – in what was an extremely close photo finish and marking the American’s highest finish in the series. Hyman rounded off the top ten while Li, who had managed to remain clear of the incidents, came home in 15th.

The final race of the weekend will get underway tomorrow at 10.30 am local time.