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Rounds 11 & 12 of the 2008
British Formula 3 Championship saw Australian rookie Sam Abay claim a season
high 4th place, at the ultra fast Thruxton circuit.
The Oxia Carlin driver qualified a
solid 7th for race one before a disappointing second qualifying session would
leave him down in 11th place on the grid
for race 2.
"The first qualifying session
was reasonable, but I'm extremely annoyed
having been held up by a few other drivers on my quick laps in the second
session, who were either doing it deliberately, or at best weren't paying much
attention to what was going on around them."
added Abay.
The field of 26 cars took the start
in race one under cloudy skies.
From 7th on the grid Abay
made a strong getaway to pass Mexican Sergio Perez on lap 1 moving to 6th
position then set his sights on closing the gap to battle between Raikkonen
Robertson driver John Martin and team mate Jaime Alguesuari. Abay was soon swarming over the back of
his compatriot’s car, with a mistake by Martin allowing the youngster
through into 5th, he continued his charge after championship leader Jaime
Alguesuari, passing the Spaniard one lap later for 4th. By half race distance with Abay was now
closing on Carlin team mate Oliver Turvey, a maiden Formula 3 podium looking a
distinct possibility. However
despite reducing the gap to the Brit from 3.1 to 1.6 seconds in the last 5
laps, the Australian would have to be content with a season high 4th place.
"It's good to have secured my
best result for the season. We've
been up the pointy end a few times this year, but haven't converted this to
results. I've learnt a lot in the first half of the season, we now need to take
the next step forward." said the Australian rookie.
Team Principal Trevor Carlin added,
"Sam did a fantastic job today.
We always see lots of overtaking at Thruxton, it's a circuit which
allows the real racers to shine through and Sam did a great job to move up to
fourth. I think his first podium position in British F3 is just around the
corner."
Starting back in 11th, race two
would be less eventful for the youngster who managed to gain 2 positions and
would eventually take home 2 more valuable championship points finishing 9th.
The next
round of the 2008 British Formula 3 Championship takes place at Brands Hatch on
July 11-13.
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