Sean Gelael and Tom Blomqvist took points in the opening FIA Formula 3 European Championship race of the weekend at the Norisring today. The 17 year-old Indonesian stayed clear of various incidents in an action packed race, while Blomqvist recovered from an enforced pit stop for a new front wing after initially running in fourth. Antonio Giovinazzi suffered more bad luck when he was involved in two incidents, the second of which put him out of the race.
Blomqvist made a good start off the line, moving up to third from his fourth placed grid slot. Gelael also made a good start, moving up several places from 18th to 15th at the end of the first lap. Giovinazzi hit misfortune early on; a damaged front wing forced him into the pits for a new nose cone and front wing assembly.
Blomqvist meanwhile was running a strong race in fourth, but similar misfortune was about to strike. Contact with Esteban Ocon in the fight for third also caused damage to the Jagonya Ayam driver’s car, forcing him into the pits for a new front wing.
The second safety car period of the race bunched up the field somewhat, allowing Giovinazzi and Blomqvist to catch up with the field once again. Both drivers then started to make their way back through the order.
Drama hit Giovinazzi once again, after he was caught out by the car ahead and made contact with Tatiana Calderon which put him out of the race. The safety car came out for the third time on lap 18, to recover the stranded car of Giovinazzi. Despite his bad luck earlier on in the race, Blomqvist was on charge, up to 12th place on lap 20.
Gelael meanwhile had stayed clear of all the incidents and was driving his own, strong race making his way up the order. By the time the third safety car was on track, Gelael was up into tenth place, just behind Jordan King in the ailing Carlin minus his front wing.
Blomqvist meanwhile had somehow managed to climb back up to 11th place, just one place out of the points despite his earlier pit stop. That place became tenth when King pulled into the pits, unable to carry on without his front wing. Gelael in turn was ninth.
The duo held position until the chequered flag, Gelael coming home ninth after a mature performance and Blomqvist tenth after a spirited fight back. Giovinazzi was later taken to hospital for precautionary tests following his accident.
Reflecting on his race Gelael said, “I’m really happy to finish ninth and in the points after starting 18th. My aim was to make my own progress and steer clear of any incidents which is what I did. At a circuit like this there is a real risk of accidents and lots of safety car periods and I just pushed hard and tried to keep out of any drama. Hopefully we can follow this up with more points this weekend.”
Team mate Blomqvist added, “I got a good start and passed Verstappen off the line and then there was a safety car on the first lap and at the restart I could have probably passed Ocon but I was maybe a bit indecisive and I didn’t really capitalise. On the second lap I was determined to pass and the gap was a bit bigger but again I think I braked a little too early. Then Max got up the inside of me and I ran into the back of Ocon and lost my front wing. Then at the second safety car I had to pit for a new front wing. I was at the back and I managed to get up to tenth, it could have been better but it was my mistake in the first place. I’m just frustrated with myself to be honest.”
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