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Nordic rookies lock out the podium in Hungary

23.04.16
F3 - 2016 Race of Hungaroring - Race 1
formula 3, hungary, ralf aron, race 1
The first FIA Formula 3 European Championship race at the 4.381 kilometres long Hungaroring ended with a surprise: rookie drivers locked out the full podium. Estonian Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam) scored his maiden FIA Formula 3 European Championship race win from Finn Niko Kari (Motopark) and Swedish driver Joel Eriksson (Motopark). In a thrilling race with many position changes and overtaking manoeuvres, points’ leader Nick Cassidy (Prema Powerteam) retired early, but was able to defend his leading position in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship drivers’ standings. 

Starting from pole position, Maximilian Günther (Prema Powerteam) already lost his lead at the start as George Russell (HitechGP) managed to overtake him. Ralf Aron and Lance Stroll (Prema Powerteam) also found a way past the German on the opening lap, so that Günther was only fourth after one lap. A brief safety car intervention followed after Callum Ilott (Van Amersfoort Racing) retired due to a collision with Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP).

After the restart, it didn’t take long before race leader Russell came under pressure from those behind him. While Aron attacked him, the group behind him increased to five drivers. On lap nine, Aron managed to overtake Russell and thus became the first Estonian to lead an FIA Formula 3 European Championship race. As his rivals needed considerably longer before they found a way past George Russell, the new race leader was able to extend his margin. Only on lap 15, Niko Kari managed to overtake Russell and likewise did Eriksson soon after that. Both Motopark drivers then tried to close the gap to Aron, but they were unable to prevent the rookie driver from taking his maiden win in the series.

Behind Aron, Kari and Eriksson, Lance Stroll finished fourth as the first Formula 3 driver with previous experience in the championship. After an action-packed race near the Hungarian capital of Budapest, Maximilian Günther took the chequered flag in fifth from Alessio Lorandi (Carlin), Sérgio Sette Câmara (Motopark), Guanyu Zhou (Motopark), Ben Barnicoat (HitechGP) and Mikkel Jensen (kfzteile24 Mücke Motorsport).

Ralf Aron (Prema Powerteam): “Tyre management was decisive in this race, we had to look after the tyres really well. Especially in the early stages, George Russell pushed hard which probably affected his tyres too much. When he then made a mistake, I benefitted and went past. In general, we have shown that, contrarily to popular belief, it is very well possible to overtake here, even though it certainly isn’t easy.”

Niko Kari (Motopark): “I am happy with my race. Initially, I tried to keep up with the drivers ahead of me while saving my tyres at the same time. I succeeded in doing so, meaning that I was still able to set good lap times towards the end of the race. I am really happy with second place.”

Joel Eriksson (Motopark): “My plan was to avoid working my tyres too hard during the race. In the early stages, I had some fights with the Prema driver and with Niko, but then I was able to concentrate on saving my tyres. That allowed me to even post the fastest lap time of the race in the closing stages and I was able to close up to Niko. However, he was too far ahead for me, so I crossed the finish line in third.”