LAST LAP CLASH DENIES ABAY MAIDEN PODIUM

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Rounds 17 and 18 of the British Formula 3 Championship proved character building for Carlin rookie Sam Abay, seeing him miss out on a maiden Formula 3 podium on the final lap of race two. Racing on the famous Silverstone circuit for the first time, the Australian struggled in the first qualifying session securing 10th on the grid for race one, before improving in the afternoon session to secure the 6th grid position for race two. A processional first race saw little change in position throughout the 26 strong field, Abay benefiting from a clash between Nick Tandy and Atte Mustonen to move up to 8th by the chequered flag.

From the 6th grid position in race two, Abay made a lightening start with a forceful first lap seeing him move into 3rd, passing Brendon Hartley, Sergio Perez and executing a sensational move around the outside of Nick Tandy at Abbey. Settling in behind Oliver Turvey and Marcus Ericsson the Australian youngster looked comfortably set for his maiden podium before contact with 4th placed Nick Tandy which resulted in Abay ending his day in the gravel trap on the final corner of the final lap.

"I'm obviously extremely frustrated to lose out on what would have been a solid result from a weekend that didn't start well for us. From the low of qualifying all the way back in 10th for race one, we worked hard to get
ourselves up to speed and I would have loved to have rewarded the team with a podium." said the youngster. Team Principal Trevor Carlin added "It's a great shame for Sam who drove an awesome race but was tagged by Tandy on the last lap."

The series now moves to the street circuit of the Romanian capital Bucharest for rounds 19 & 20 next weekend.