Race Report

Formula 1 Ing Magyar Nagydij Grand Prix 2016
GP3 SERIES

Circuit: Hungaroring (HU), Length 4,381 km, 23^rd/24^th July 2016, Rounds 7 & 8
www.hungaroring.hu

JENZER MOTORSPORT 2016:
Akash Nandy (MAS), Richard Gonda (SVK) and ARJUN MAINI (IND)

Sensational 2^nd Place for Maini in Budapest

The GP3 Series met up for their fourth race event on the fluid and demanding Hungaroring Circuit near Budapest, racing as one of the support races for the Formula 1 ING Magyar Nagydij 2016. The temperature was hot, and the drivers faced a major challenge in terms of tyre management and track limit observation.

Race One Qualifying

Saturday, 23/07/16, 09.45 – 10.15, Weather: Sunny, 25°C

The free practice session on Friday afternoon took place on a dry track and it quickly became crystal clear that it would be very difficult on this flowing track, because lap times throughout the field were extremely close. 20 cars were within one second of the fastest time and with a gap of just 0.389 seconds Arjun set the 10^th fastest time, Akash and Richard were 22^nd and 23^rd respectively.
Qualifying was equally tough and the track didn’t offer much in the way of grip, which made it hard to judge how much of a risk to take. Many drivers had their times disallowed for disregarding track limits. Arjun, who had posted the fastest time, was among them and his time was duly deleted. With 6 minutes left on the clock, just as most drivers were preparing for a flying lap, the session was interrupted with a red flag after Schothorst was stranded out on track. When the session got underway again there was a mad rush onto the track because everybody wanted to try and improve their lap times once more. In the end Ajrun was 9^th, Richard was 15^th and Akash was 20^th.

GP3 Series

Race One (40 Minutes)

Saturday, 23/07/16, 17.20, Weather: Sunny, 27°C

The race got off to an explosive start with everyone looking for an advantage for themselves, because everyone knows there is very little opportunity to overtake on this fluid and technical track. Arjun made a super start and came back in 8^th at the end of the first lap. Richard also managed to improve his position and was now 13^th, while Akash had defended his position and was 20^th. There was a lot of movement during the first three laps, but our drivers held their positions. Then the race began to really test the endurance of the drivers. Arjun was under pressure from Aitken for a while with Aitken of course keen to get up to 8^th so he could start race 2 from pole. Aitken never got a real chance to attack, and Arjun was able to maintain the necessary distance from him. Richard was able to put pressure on Isaakyan for lap after lap but there was never a real chance to overtake. Akash was running well and felt comfortable on this track so he decided to go for it. He managed to outbrake Alesi in a beautiful manoeuvre and then set about passing Calderón, a move he accomplished quickly. Akash put in a super race and was soon on Stuvik’s rear wing, passing him effectively too! Akash was now up to 17^th and came home to claim a good result in this position! Richard kept up with the pace, didn’t make any mistakes and came home in a very good 13^th position. Arjun meanwhile held his nerve and resisted the tremendous pressure he was under. Despite this being only his third start in the series he came home in a super 8^th to score more useful points as well. According to the rules he would now start Sunday’s race from pole position.

The grid for the second race of the weekend was set by reversing the order of the first eight finishers in the first race, with the rest of the places set according to finishing order in the first race.

GP3 Series

Race Two (30 Minutes)

Sunday, 24/07/16, 09.15, Weather: Sunny, 24°C

Arjun made a good start but immediately realised that Albon was quicker off the mark and just slotted in behind him, making the order Albon, Maini and Leclerc. Further back in the field there was a massive accident, and the Safety Car had to be deployed immediately. Akash, who had started well from 17^th, was caught in an incident, made contact and was hit, spearing across the track, hitting the pit wall and turning over twice. Fortunately, Akash was unhurt and was able to climb out of the badly damaged car. It took several laps for the Safety Car to return to the pits and for the restart to be given. Arjun was well prepared and held his position but Leclerc tried to put pressure on him. Arjun steadily managed to pull away a little, denying Leclerc the opportunity for a proper attack. However Leclerc made a mistake and dropped back a bit, which put him under pressure from Aitken. Arjun now had some clear air and ran all error free laps in the closing stages. Arjun, who was in only his fourth race in GP3 today, finished the race after a very impressive run in a fantastic 2^nd place. Richard didn’t get such a good start and Janoz and Ferrucci took advantage when they both slipped past him just after the start. That left Richard in 15^th. He fought bravely and managed to defend this position throughout the race and to retain his grip on it right to the finish line.

We are now looking forward to the next race which will take place in one week’s time at Hockenheim (D).

Championship standings after 8 out of 18 races:

1^st Alexander Albon (THA), 107 points; 2^nd Charles Leclerc (F), 104 points; 3^rd Antonio Fuoco (I), 90 points; 4^th Matt Parry (GB), 51 points; 5^th Ralph Boschung (CH), 48 points; 6^th Nick de Vries (NL), 46 points; 11^th Arjun Maini, 20 points; 12^th Oscar Tunjo (COL), 18 points

2016 GP3 Series

For more information:

• www.gp3series.com
• www.italiaracing.net