Devaney Does the Double at Snetterton
British F3
09 June
2008
Michael Devaney took his second win of the weekend, this time from
4th on the grid, overtaking two cars at the first corner. The Irishman
inherited the lead when Brendon Hartley spun off at Riches but held
off the challenge of Sebastian Hohenthal and Jaime Alguersuari to the
chequered flag. Stefan Wilson took his first National Class win and
the second for his Fluid Motorsport team, finishing ahead of teammate
Jay Bridger and Hywel Lloyd.
At the start Brendon Hartley got a good getaway from pole but it was
Round 9 winner Michael Devaney who made the best of the situation to
move up two places at the first corner to follow Hartley in Sear ahead
of Sebastian Hohenthal and Atte Mustonen with Sergio Perez losing three
places, the championship leader dropping back to 6th behind Jaime Alguersuari.
Further back there were spinning cars at Sears and at the end of the
lap Sam Abay and Nick Tandy came into the pits for repairs.
Hartley started to pull away slightly from Devaney as the Irishman
came under pressure from Hohenthal and by lap 4 the New Zealander was
1.5 seconds ahead. But on lap 5 disaster struck as the Red Bull sponsored
Dallara was seen spinning off into the field at Riches all on its own
after getting onto the dirty part of the track and handing the lead
to Devaney. On the same lap Marcus Ericsson's Fortec Dallara came out
of Corum slowly while battling with Oliver Turvey for 7th, dropping
the Swede three places behind Max Chilton, Walter Grubmuller and National
Class leader Stefan Wilson.
Jay Bridger, who had lost touch with his Fluid Motorsport teammate
Stefan Wilson in the National Class battle was coming under pressure
from Andy Meyrick and for lap after lap the two championship contenders
circulated, fighting it out for the minor podium places as Wilson headed
for his first win unchallenged.
Devaney and Hohenthal started to pull away from Mustonen at the front
of the field as the Finn had a train of cars snapping at his heals
led by Alguersuari. On lap 13 the Spaniard moved up a place with a
move on Mustonen that allowed him to set off after the leading duo.
Mustonen dropped back two more places losing out to Perez on lap 18
and Turvey on lap 21.
Devaney had control of the race knowing that the only way Hohenthal
was going to get past him was if he made a mistake and the experienced
racer kept his cool in the hot Norfolk sunshine.
Further down the order the Bridger-Meyrick battle came to an abrupt
end after the Welshman went off the track at the Esses and into retirement
on lap 20 ending a frustrating weekend for the championship leader.
At the flag it was double delight for the Ultimate Motorsport team
as their driver took the second win of the day ahead of Sebastian Hohenthal.
Jaime Alguersuari finished third and took the extra point for the fastest
lap which puts the Spanish driver at the top of the championship table,
one point ahead of 4th placed Sergio Perez.
Stefan Wilson took his first National Class win in 10th overall, with
a 1-2 for Fluid Motorsport on their home track as Jay Bridger came
home a distant 2nd ahead of a very happy Hywel Lloyd, the CF Racing
driver ending a disappointing weekend on a high note after starting
the race in 26th overall and 8th in class.
The series now heads to Thruxton for Rounds 11 & 12 on Sunday 29
June. The races from Snetterton can be seen on Channel 4 and Motors
TV here in the UK and across Europe. Further information is available
on the British F3 website at www.britishf3international.com
SRO
See 2008 series calendar for British
F3 Championship
Related Story 09.06.2008 - Devaney's Ultimate Delight in British F3
