The tricky conditions that greeted the Arden International drivers at Spa-Francorchamps ultimately cost GP3 Series Hungaroring race winner Patric Niederhauser and Romanian team-mate Robert Visoiu the opportunity of good results in Belgium, but Briton Jann Mardenborough continued his impressive run of form with two fourth places.
Nissan Nismo sponsored Mardenborough continues to impress in 2014, taking two fourth places, and believes there is still more to come from him as he continues to adapt to GP3.
“The weekend for me was a great points hunt, two fourth places is our best amount of points collected over a weekend, which shows our performance is improving each weekend,” said Mardenborough. “The team and I will do our best to continue and improve our form going to Monza.”
Visoiu started race one on slick tyres, and was making progress before spinning out entering the bus stop chicane on lap four. He hopes Monza next week is better for him and team, having used race two in Belgium to test out the aero package they will use in Italy.
“Spa was as usual really tricky,” said Visoiu. “I went on the formation lap of the first race on slicks to try out the drying surface and decided to keep these tyres on for the race. That was the right call and it put me in a good position for a top finish, but I lost control under braking and crashed out.
“Starting race two from the back of the grid allowed us to test the aero package for Monza so I hope we will be fast at the next weekend and get back in front, where I know we belong!”
It was a case of ‘what might have been’ for Niederhauser, as he was the leading driver in the field to start race one on slick tyres, which ultimately became the right strategy call. However the Swiss driver saw his race end at the opening corner after misjudging his braking, crashing into the Koiranen GP machine of Jimmy Eriksson. On Sunday he also spun out after starting the race from the pit lane having been given a penalty for the incident with Eriksson.
“After a good qualifying I was actually almost certain that we could have a good chance of top places in the race,” said Niederhauser. “Not least because of our good strategy. But unfortunately due to my error and the starting accident in race one, it turned out differently.
“I’m very disappointed. I must move on from this race weekend as soon as possible and concentrate fully on Monza.”
