Norris Rounds off Silverstone with Podium Position

Carlin’s Lando Norris had added to his earlier race victory at Silverstone in the FIA Formula Three European Championship with a great third position, and strong championship points, in the final race of the weekend. Rookie F3 racer Norris pulled off further great overtaking manoeuvres on his way to third position as team mates Jake Dennis and Jehan Daruvala also scored strong points respectively in fifth and sixth. It was however a tricky race for Ferdinand Habsburg who despite pushing had found himself being run wide and in turn losing places – the Austrian recovered well to finish 12th.

As the lights went out it was Carlin racer Daruvala who got a great start to move up to fourth ahead of team mate Norris who initially dropped back somewhat from his second placed grid slot. Norris however fought well and had soon taken fourth position back as his own leaving Daruvala to slot in behind in fifth, while Dennis was looking strong in sixth and Habsburg 13th.

After the initial excitement of the opening couple of laps, the race settled in to a rhythm and Norris, Daruvala and Dennis ran close together for a while as Norris hustled Max Gunther ahead in his efforts to take the final spot on the podium. Norris tucked up well behind the Prema Powerteam driver and was able to get a great tow before running wheel to wheel and taking third position as his own.

Meanwhile Austrian racer Habsburg was making progress and had soon gained a position over Jake Hughes however as he began to chase down those ahead he was forced wide by Pedro Piquet which in turn lost him the valuable places he had worked so hard to gain. Habsburg however kept a cool head and continued on his way, soon getting back up behind Hughes – proving his pace in the Carlin car.

Dennis was also making progress and began a great battle for position with team mate Daruvala as the pair fought over fifth place. Giving each other just enough space, Dennis eventually made the move stick and took fifth as his own as Daruvala slotted in to sixth just behind.

Before long, the chequered flag was flying and Norris crossed the line in a brilliant third position, claiming the rookie win in the process and adding nicely to his trophy collection from the weekend. Dennis rounded off the top five while Daruvala followed home in sixth and Habsburg recovered well from his frustrating race to 12th.  The fantastic result also secures the lead of the Team Championship for Carlin after the opening round of the 2017 season.

Leading the rookie standings Norris said, “I didn’t get the best start out there and as a result slipped down to sixth however I was able to make up two places around the outside in one corner so was pretty pleased with that. Afterwards, I was able to catch Gunther in fourth and try to force him in to a mistake. He made a little slip and I could capitalise on that to get by at the final chicane to take third. I was trying to catch Joel Eriksson for second position however couldn’t get close enough in the dirty air to have a chance for a pass. A win and third position this weekend is a great way to start the season.”

The next round of the season will get underway at the end of the month as the Championship moves to Monza.