11/07/2010
NEWS STORY
Status GP's Daniel Morad claimed his first GP3 win in an action packed race at Silverstone.
Overnight rain meant conditions weren't ideal for the thirty strong grid, but Morad made the perfect start from second taking a lights to flag victory over his rivals. Addax Team's Mirko Bortolotti got bogged down at the start and was unable to capitalise on his reverse pole position. The Ferrari development driver was chased down by Dean Smith into the first corner and the pair fought wheel to wheel before hard pushing Carlin driver Smith went wide allowing three cars to pass - he eventually rejoined in eighth spot. At the same time Jenzer's Nico Muller passed ART Grand Prix's Alexander Rossi for third position.
Yesterday's race winner Esteban Gutierrez was moving up the grid fast, and whilst Rossi and Muller were busy fighting for third the Mexican made his way past Status GP's Robert Wickens taking fourth spot. By lap eight Gutierrez had found his way past teammate Rossi and had his sights set on Muller, the Jenzer driver eventually locking up allowing Gutierrez and teammate Rossi both passed. With just three laps remaining Muller had to defend fiercely from a racy Wickens in sixth.
Morad was 2.2 seconds up the road with victory in sight, and Gutierrez made quick work of catching Bortolotti in second ensuring a great battle for the remaining two laps. The pair were fighting tooth and nail for second spot allowing Rossi to catch up and join the podium fight. All three drove with gritted determination and it was clear this would be no easy ride to the chequered flag. With just a few corners to go Bortolotti squeezed Gutierrez on the grass allowing Rossi through into third. Gutierrez managed to take the place back around the outside of his teammate but couldn't make it stick allowing Rossi was back into the final podium spot. By the time the chequered flag dropped it was still impossible to tell who would come out on top, the pair finally crossing the line split by just 0.08 of a second. Rossi just managed to edge ahead after getting a better exit out of the last corner. Nico Muller finished in fifth spot ahead of Robert Wickens who took the final point of the race.
Daniel Morad has now moved up into sixth in the driver's standings after his excellent win and fastest lap. Gutierrez is still out in front with 51 points, and his ART teammate Rossi has moved back into second with 25 points. Jenzer's Nico Muller is in third with 22 points after his great weekend.
Note: Third placed Bortolotti was issued a 20 second penalty for forcing ART's Esteban Gutierrez off the track. The 20 seconds was added to his elapsed race time dropping him to thirteenth.