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Oxia Carlin rookie, Sam Abay started the two British Formula 3 races at

Rockingham from opposite ends of the grid.  The youngster secured another

impressive second row starting position for race 1, replicating his efforts

from Monza the previous week, but then speared off the circuit at the start

of Sunday's afternoon qualifying session to determine the grid for Monday's

second race from which he would start 23rd.

The rain that was experienced the previous day in qualifying gave way to dry

conditions on Monday morning, for the start of the first race.  A slow

getaway from 4th on the grid saw Abay drop to 5th as the field raced off the

line.  It wasn't long before the Australian tagged onto the back of Walter

Grubmuller and, by lap 2, Abay had regained 4th place.  In doing so he had

been joined in the battle by Swede, Marcus Ericsson.  The Fortec driver

found a way past the Australian youngster on lap 4, as the race settled into

a holding pattern at the front.  Unchallenged, Abay appeared to have a

comfortable 5th place under control, but by lap 17 the long expected rain

started to fall and drivers struggled for grip on slick tyres.  The

deteriorating conditions caught Abay out and a mistake on the penultimate

lap allowed Oliver Turvey, championship leader Sergio Perez and Sebastian

Hohenthal past, dropping the Australian to 8th place.

"It's good to have scored more points, but I'm obviously disappointed to

have ended the race with a mistake, as we comfortably had a hold on 5th.

But we're here to gain experience and little mistakes like that are all part

of the learning game."

A wet race 2 presented a very different challenge, with Abay having to

start towards the rear of the field in 23rd position.  An aggressive opening

lap by the Australian saw him pass an incredible 8 cars, moving from 23rd to

15th by the end of lap 1.  A caution period to retrieve the stranded car of

Henry Arundel further aided Abay's cause as the field closed up behind the

safety car.  As racing resumed, Abay picked up where he'd left off, passing

Ricardo Teixeira on lap 4, Alistair Jackson on lap 6 and Sergio Perez on lap

7, establishing himself in 10th position before continuing his charge

towards Marcus Ericsson and Brendon Hartley ahead.  By lap 14, the flying

youngster had caught Ericsson and Hartley.  One lap later he'd forced his

way past Ericsson and had his sights firmly set on the 8th place, held by

his Carlin team mate.  An error on the final lap whilst looking for a way

past the New Zealander, allowed both Ericsson and Turvey past, leaving Abay

to greet the chequered flag in  11th position.

"I don't like having to start any race at the back of the grid, but without

a doubt that was probably as much fun as I've had in a racing car.  The

first half of the race was just fantastic, we were passing people left and

right, it was just like being back in my living room on the Playstation!"

Team Principal Trevor Carlin added, “Sam had an unlucky weekend, but came

back with a great drive through the field in race two."