For the first time in 2015, Raoul Hyman finished inside the top ten, scoring his and Team West-Tec F3’s first points of the season at the same time.
The young South African driver, who was only confirmed to the drive just prior to the season, finished a strong sixth in race one at Monza, which also meant a trip to the podium as the third best rookie of the race, and followed that up with a tenth place finish in race two, although due to the half points awarded in that race, he only added half a point to his eight points scored in race one.
Hyman hopes that the strong performance in Monza is the catalyst for a strong run of points scoring races.
“It was great to finally return to the podium, and start scoring some points,” said Hyman. “I am also pleased to have scored the first points for Team West-Tec.
“It was great racing at the front again, and I enjoyed my duel with Antonio [Giovinazzi] and Charles [Leclerc]. I just did not have the front end to keep them behind, or match the pace of the Prema cars ahead. So whilst a little disappointed, I am happy to take the 6th, and my Rookie Podium.
“Races 2 and 3 were a little crazy coming through the field, especially because of the crashes. My engineer was constantly warning me to be careful and avoid trouble. I had to judge my overtakes very carefully, and was pleased to work my way up to 9th at the flag.
“I was also well placed in Race 3, lying 13th on lap 2 when the Safety Car was deployed. I am fairly confident that I would have finished inside the top 10 again, had the race run its course.
“We need to keep working hard, and building on this result to close the gap to the front running teams. Whilst we may have surprised a few people this weekend, and I want to be fighting inside the top ten in every race!”