Red Bull backed driver impresses at sponsors home race
Saturday 21 June 2014 18:50, UK
Alex Lynn converted his second consecutive pole of his GP3 career into a lights to flag victory in Austria, with teammate Emil Bernstorff closely following him home to record his maiden podium. Koiranen GP’s Jimmy Eriksson took the final spot on the rostrum in third.
The atmosphere on the grid was electric with very passionate fans at the Red Bull Ring making themselves heard and as the lights went out it was pole sitter Lynn who made a good getaway to hold position. Behind him however, there was a first corner incident involving Alex Fontana and the Marussia Manor Racing pair of Dean Stoneman and Patrick Kujala. The Finn was able to continue as the trio made light contact but it was a premature end to the race for Fontana and Stoneman. Arden International’s Robert Visoiu also retired on the opening lap.
Bernstorff made a blazing start to move into P2 behind his teammate Lynn. The Safety Car was deployed following the incident on lap one and once action resumed Richie Stanaway was in a hurry to move up the order, passing Eriksson, but the Swede fought back as the two tussled with the Koiranen GP driver making his move to reclaim P3.
Lynn pulled out almost a one second margin over Bernstorff with a further gap of almost four seconds back to their nearest rivals. Alfonso Celis Jr made contact with the rear of Adderly Fong’s car and the duo both retired.
The Carlin pair traded fastest laps for a number of laps but it was Series leader Lynn who got the edge and achieved the quickest lap of the race to pocket a further two points for his efforts. Lynn increased his advantage to over three seconds as the race went on.
Marvin Kirchhöfer had his claws into Stanaway but the Kiwi resisted his moves to hold onto fourth, a few seconds behind Eriksson. Nick Yelloly also had his mirrors full with Luis Sa Silva with the Brit getting the better of his former teammate.
After 18 laps the chequered flag was waved and it was Lynn and Bernstorff first across the line much to the joy of their British squad. Eriksson, Stanaway, Kirchhofer, Matheo Tuscher (Jenzer Motorsport) and Yelloly completed the top seven. Sa Silva scored his first GP3 point and will start from reverse pole in Race Two. Kujala finished ninth, ahead of Patric Niederhauser who defended with all his might from his Arden International teammate Jann Mardenborough in the closing laps.
You can see the second GP3 race from Austria live on Sky Sports F1 from 8:20am.
GP3 Race One - Austria
1) Alex Lynn (GBR) - Carlin - 25:50.556
2) Emil Bernstorff (GBR) - Carlin - +2.764
3) Jimmy Eriksson (SWE) - Koiranen GP - +8.385
4) Richie Stanaway (NZL) - Status GP - +10.309
5) Marvin Kirchhoffer (GER) - ART GP - +10.958
Selected others
7) Nick Yelloly (GBR) - Status GP - +12.597
11) Jann Mardenborough - Arden International - +18.845
15) Dino Zamparelli (GBR) - ART GP - +24.748
17) Ruan Cullen (GBR) - Marussia Manor Racing - +34.407
Dean Stoneman (GBR) - Marussia Manor Racing - DNF
Drivers' Championship
1) Alex Lynn - 62
2) Jimmy Eriksson - 37
3) Richie Stanaway - 35
4) Marvin Kirchhoffer - 26
5) Matheo Tuscher - 24
